August 11

August 11

Contagious Ways

Violence is contagious. Love is more contagious.


Proverbs 16
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

Numerous studies in crime indicate that criminals are often otherwise mild persons who are led astray by association with a violent and dominate individual. While some criminals are private loners most of them even get a start in crime by being associated with some abusive behavior of another. Thus criminals most often follow the example of the violent or in the company of the violent.

Once again, the scriptures are contemporarily applicable. (Who ever doubted?) Violence is contagious. It must be dealt with by winning the attention, the shame and repentance of the violent. This can only happen in a community where love, even more contagious, will address honestly and compassionately those who have had no godly mentors.

Proverbs 16

32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

It might be added that many violent people do not live long. They are on a path of self-destruction. So if they attain a long life it may be said:

Proverbs 16
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.