Of Temptations, Least Resistance And Disastrous Ends

Interesting, best describes the topsy-turvy nature of life – the neatly or coarsely woven combination of varied experiences that define how a person or society lives, behaves and sees the world. The absence of this roller coaster situation would have made life seriously boring and irritating to say the least. However, many people during the 'turvy' moments wish they never existed – a wish so shallowly conceived because of the associated pain, rejection, dejection, ridicule, humiliation, etc.

We must however know that 'joy' won't feel so good if 'sadness' never was. Rising and falling will continue to be principal parts of our sojourn through life. We must embrace it!

To be born into our world today is to be given a ticket to enter a playing field to partake in games of temptations. Temptations with high propensities of marring futures, dissipating fortunes, denting reputations, stagnating societies, retrogressing people, destroying lives and visiting untold hardships. These inducements or enticements usually wear a coat of many colours - economic, moral, religious, social, technological, etc and serve as situations that really and truly define people.

Temptations are fuelled by greed, lack of purpose, inexistence of good value systems, non-adherence to good and time-tested personal and societal principles, etc. Today, grown men are raping 12-year olds because of uncontrollable sexual urges and beyond; servants of God are embezzling church funds; hitherto Godly women are now virtual prostitutes, men are coveting others' wives; officials in both public and private office are using their offices for improper purposes, etc.

Look North, South, East and West, and what is immediately noticeable are people and societies that almost always go for what is fun and easy rather than what is perhaps difficult and necessary. Many have decided to toe the path of least resistance – where everything they so desire, irrespective of their consequences and effects on society, are carried out or practiced. Some call it 'indulgence' and surprisingly, various doctrines are popping up day –in – day – out in support of this dreadful ideology.

Embracing the topsy-turvy (up and down) nature of life does not in any way mean deliberately choosing to engage in negative tendencies that weigh people and societies down, but rather espouses the ideology that when one finds himself or herself in an undesirable situation probably inadvertently, he or she should have the motivation to work out the situation, knowing fully well that both moments of triumph and defeat make life complete. Triumphs alone don't make up life and same applies to defeats only. The two must combine harmoniously to produce a wonderful symphony capable of producing greats, inspiring genius and awakening giants to unleash creativity to make our world better.

The path of least resistance almost always leads to destruction. The embezzler gets caught and punished (some temporarily escape though), the adulterer gets noticed and his/her reputation soiled, the killer gets imprisoned or killed (sometimes), the corrupt gets removed from office and jailed (sometimes), the armed robber meets his untimely death (sometimes). Be ittoday or tomorrow, one gets a visitation of consequences of his/her actions. Some are said to have escaped punishment, but is that really the case? Punishment comes in various forms – one that could be known to the public and the other that is not public knowledge but only personal knowledge; characterized by extreme inner discomfort and purgatory.

Those who shall own the future and truly control it are those who overpower temptations, subscribe to utmost resistance and live a character – worthy life.

VINCE IN BONO MALUM – Conquer evil by doing good!
Paul Edem Kuenyefu, is a Conference Speaker, Writer, Lay Preacher and Business Strategist. He is the author of 'TO THE ZENITH', a motivational piece.

Email: pedem99 [at]gmail[dot]com