Evil in Disguise

The peh Factor

“Seeking balance in a polarized world”

“Since the primary motive of the evil is disguise, one of the places evil people are most likely to be found is within the church. What better way to conceal one's evil from oneself as well as from others than to be a deacon or some other highly visible form of Christian within our culture.” ― M. Scott Peck, M.D.

I remember reading those words long ago in Dr. Peck’s book, People of the Lie, 1983. I had previously read Peck’s first book, The Roadless Traveled. It had touched me. People of the Lie disturbed me. Why?

The first reason was the discussion of the reality of evil. I was and am familiar with the theological discussion of evil. In the second chapter of Genesis God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. There is a good deal of discussion as to why they were not to touch/eat this “forbidden fruit.” The short answer for me has been that humans do not have the moral strength to always choose the good when placed at a point of choosing. Ego, self-centeredness gets in the way. That was the response of Eve to the temptation in Genesis 3:6

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for (her) food, and that it was a delight to the (her) eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one (her) wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

It became about her wants, not God’s will. Adam was complicit as well. His choosing was not as noble as Eve’s. She chose to rebel in pursuit of wisdom and beauty. I believe Adam knew that if he stood for God against Eve he would lose his partner. He chose Eve over God.

Rebelling from God’s ways had begun. The foundation for evil entered the world. God’s good world and the order God had established began to be manipulated by fallen human beings. But, to jump from Genesis 3 to the 20th Century was disturbing. Theological theory was being talked about as a present reality.

A second reason the book disturbed me was it caused me to look at myself. Any healthy person knows their inadequacies and shortcomings. They must know the potential for evil that lies within. They have to admit those inadequacies and be willing to confront those flaws. As my friends in any Twelve Step Program know, such confrontation is not a one-time event. Learning to deal with the evil within is a lifelong journey. The book caused me to begin that inward look. I am grateful I have had a few good friends to assist me on that journey.

The third reason the book disturbed me was his placing evil within the confines of the church. If one of the primary goals of evil revolves around self-interest, and if as Peck says in the above quote that evil is a master of disguise, then the church is a great place for evil to hide itself. Churches need people who are willing to commit their time to do good things. Because the need is so great, and because church people are in general nice and non-confrontational, it is easy for a self-centered person, an ego-driven person, an evil person to slip in under the radar.

I had this happen to me when I was in college. One of the helpful male leaders in the church offered me a ride home after choir practice. He needed to go by his home to get something along the way. He invited me in. While in his apartment he attempted to seduce me. I discovered he was a predator. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Everyone loved him because he was so nice and did so many “good” things. I felt I had discovered his underlying motivation.

In the years since that initial exposure I have seen the evil, ego-centric, personality driven people in and outside the church. It is a difficult road to walk between being a community of faith where everyone is accepted and loved and yet having strong boundaries where acceptable behaviors are maintained and a spiritual focused remains central. I wish I could say I had always succeeded in that quest. I have not. I have needed and asked to be forgiven. I continue to work on better focus and stronger will.

“Evil in disguise” does not only exist within the church. Ego-centrism (evil) comes in many forms, disguises and locations. Transfer these thoughts to America, democracy, and our freedoms.

Over my adult years, in our quest for “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” self-centeredness has grown and in many ways reigns supreme. I mentioned in my article earlier today how 74 million attempted to steal the election from 81 million people. I am sure there were many people of good will and good intention who believed in and promoted the clarifying work needed to insure a trustworthy final count. I also believe there were many who pursued the overturning of an election for purely selfish reasons focusing on ego and power.

Such quests for ego and power eventually pushed a group of citizens (and yes, the marchers in Washington, D.C. yesterday were citizens) to attempt to overthrow the elected officials and their work in accordance with the law. In listening to statements by the protestors they had rationalized in their thinking the actual taking of lives of elected officials. They demonized those who disagreed with them. Demonization is a backdoor way of making me and my cause holy and just while the opposition is from the dark side (or deep state).

In the actions and attitudes of yesterday in Washington, D. C., ego-centrism (evil) threw-off constraints and exposed itself.

I wish I could say that it was only yesterday and only in the realm of politics that such exposure is taking place. There is an evil that has entered our culture in many places such as:

Violence on our streets whether it be gangs or some unbridled policemen;

Bullying on social media;

Themes and portrayals in movies;

Financial greed of those who invest for selfish gain. More, always more;

Sports teams at various levels that will do anything to win.

The list could go on.

My grandfather McIntosh used to talk about sin and pride. When he would do so he would ask for a pencil and paper and he would spell his thoughts out in this fashion:

s-I-n

pr-I-de

“I” is the center of both words. It is a lesson I have never forgotten. It is a lesson I still attempt to learn and live. Without being aware of the destructive power of “I” the door is always open for evil in its many disguises to enter.

In the church and in society may we learn the power of “WE” the people, God’s people. Amen.