Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong. – Psalm 36:4

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 20, 2016): Psalm 36

On February 1, 1867, John Stuart Mill, the British philosopher and political theorist, delivered an inaugural address at the University of St. Andrews. In his discourse, Mill considered what he believed to be the responsibility of the nations, and therefore by extension, the responsibility of the citizens of the nations. Mill was apparently not an isolationist. He envisioned the nations interacting with each other and spurring each other on toward what was good. In the course of his address, Mill makes this comment.

Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.

We have struggled with Mill’s words almost from the time that he spoke them. Since 1867, numerous wars have come and gone and we have struggled with our responsibility in regard to them. We have watched on the sidelines as an evil cancer called Nazism grew in Europe, and we argued about whether or not it was right to intervene. And millions of Jews died while we sat.

Currently, the discussion concerns the Islamic State. Admittedly, I am an emerging or uncomfortable pacifist. But my pacifism does not spring from the belief that what happens outside of my political realm is none of my business. I actually strongly agree with Mill’s idea that we are all responsible. My pacifism grows out of the question of whether violence can be used to destroy violence, or whether its use just plants the seeds for more violence later. Sometimes there is nothing left to us but the violent answer. But, whatever the situation, the answer is never to stand idly by ignoring the evil. We must see it, call it by name, and demand that something is done.

David seems to agree with Mills. Evil is not just the plotting from the place of rest. It is the refusal on our part to reject evil when we know that it something is wrong. Those who refuse to reject evil are as guilty for it as those who hatch their evil plans from their beds and commit themselves to the sinful course. We need to understand this, and to forcibly reject evil wherever it is found.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 38