Through our eyes, then, we view a world based on our beliefs rather than a world that is free to tell us what it is. Those around us can be thought of as having a neutral, blank slate. Satan points his pointer at the slate, indicating why we are to evaluate, criticize, condemn, or get even with someone. Jesus points to the same blank slate, telling us why we should consider that we don't have the whole picture and we should forgive. God, in an awesome way, will then reveal the whole picture to us. These blank slates can never be viewed impartially. We are either on one side of the fence or the other. Because of our nature, when we see we are living in a world of violence with no real chance of safety available for us, we may adopt an attitude of futility and in that context, may fearfully build defenses to help us cope. Oddly, the more we prove that fear protects us, the more there is that is fearful that we need to be protected from. We think we should be able to stop all madness by building huge defenses against it, but it never works because it is Biblically unsound. From Job, we learned that what we fear does come upon us. This is because fear is a belief and Jesus told us not to fear many times throughout the Bible. Then He cautioned us saying, “What we pray believing can come true.” Therefore, it is not pragmatic to either fear, or build any structures because of fear.

Remember, this world is like a blank slate, neutral; it doesn't create anything. Satan and Jesus stand to the side, pointing to the same events, but giving us different perspectives. We are all actors trying to live out each others dreams and expectations. Approval of man dictates so much of what we do. We become imprisoned to the desire to please, yet often we fail to even do that. What you want to believe about me, turns out to be exactly what I am to you. And what I want to believe about you, is exactly who you are to me, because I deceive myself. God created each of us with characteristics, traits and talents, each with a loving plan and design in mind. He saw it as “good”. But the fall of man looms heavy and we are born into the sin of Adam. All then that is needed is the blood sacrifice of Christ to return us to perfection. Why then must we struggle to see past our dim view—that glass darkly—to see others in that same truth? We only need to forgive daily—to see them as God sees them. For God does not look upon them and see their faults and human blemishes. If they are His children, He sees His Son. The blood of Christ shields God's vision from our dark deeds and thoughts. How dare we put on our dark judge's gowns and try to peer past the blood veil of Christ to critically examine our brothers and sisters! We will not be able to love ourselves, nor God when we do this. Nor will we feel God's pleasure in us.

Can it be understood, yet, that we see things FROM our hearts' point of view? We do not see things impartially ever. Our defiled hearts see a defiled world, filled with spiteful people, out to shock us with their impertinence and know-it-all attitude. Our pure hearts see a world filled with God's children, many whom are in sad shape, crying for love.

How can we be free with our dark judge's gowns on? Let's ask the Lord to equip us with the mind of Christ, who was willing to die for all of our sakes. Grant us the gift of mercy, that we might walk in the light of truth, spreading love and grace everywhere we go. This is a valid approach because, as God's children, the desires of our hearts ARE realized.

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