Badness has a thrill that goodness often seems to lack. When tempted between the choice of right or wrong, wrong frequently appears to be the most exciting choice; right, the dull and boring one. It takes skill to see beyond the self-destructive, craving impulse of the moment and to recognize the thrill of goodness. It takes the skill of humbling yourself and pulling down your pride in order to be able to recognize the thrill of following the risen Jesus into the joy of the Lord and the peace that passes understanding.

The pride that’s prevalent in our culture causes people to believe that darkness is better than light, that wrong is better than right. The truth is that the people who act like they think that they know it all and proudly pontificate about politics (or other topics) while accusing people who disagree with them of lying and cheating are speaking more from hearsay and opinion than from facts.

The skill of seeing goodness and humility as true greatness is best learned in Spirit-led community. A gathering of the body of Christ is the greatest town hall meeting in the world when God’s Spirit is allowed to speak in and through the various people present. It’s the way to see the goodness of Jesus working in and through other people.

Unfortunately, Christianity has usually been set up where people are shut down and Spirit-led community isn’t allowed to happen. When Christians gather as an audience and aren’t permitted to obey God’s inner promptings, the Spirit is quenched.

When we ignore our desires
And are led by the Spirit
So we do what God requires,
Not the comfort zone things
That our flesh desires,
People who love Jesus will be
A godly community,
A kingdom colony
Doing the things on earth
That are done in Heaven.
God wants to lead us
Out of the world’s ways
Beyond its deceptive haze
And enslaving dark daze,
Into the glorious light
Of the life-changing insight
And constant awareness of
And surrender to
Christ living in you.