If a malicious person can disguise himself..., how can he be “exposed”? (Serendipity Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition, page 921).
Malicious:
Marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful [WordWeb.info]
A
malicious person is exposed by the harm they do. The extent of the
maliciousness of those opposed to Jesus was dramatically evidenced by
the crucifixion. Unfortunately, typically maliciousness is exposed
only after the harm is done. Intent alone is easily concealed or
applied insidiously.
If
we choose to look at the typical sources of malice we need look no
further than the Beatitudes—which turn the hurtful conventional
wisdom of the world on its head and show by contrast the essential
nature of malice:
Blessed
are the poor in spirit,
for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed
are those who mourn,
for
they will be comforted.
Blessed
are the meek,
for
they will inherit the earth.
Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for
they will be filled.
Blessed
are the merciful,
for
they will be shown mercy.
Blessed
are the pure in heart,
for
they will see God.
Blessed
are the peacemakers,
for
they will be called children of God.
Blessed
are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:1-10 NIV)
Such
are the targets of those seeking to do harm: the poor in spirit,
those who mourn, the meek, those that hunger and thirst for
righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers.
Such people are often the butt of maliciousness and therefore are
persecuted for righteousness sake. In short, maliciousness is
characteristic of the ways of the world and includes: haughtiness of
spirit, inflicting pain with exultation, greedily proud, seekers of
evil, lusting after selfish interests, the deceitful, the sowers of
wrath.
The
righteous most often expose maliciousness by being its victims for
they are quite intentionally opposed to retaliation in kind. The
righteous absorb venom and emanate from their suffering a healing
balm.
This
represents a maddening state of affairs that will not end until the
fullness of time when peace comes and warfare among the malicious
ends.
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