The parable of the sower and the seed has a negative counterpart. Your adversary sows seeds of evil. These will also grow and bear evil fruit if given the chance. The seeds eaten by the fowls of the air are those thoughts taken captive and rejected. Those that sprouted and grew but withered quickly because they had no root are those who repented quickly before they became ensnared or offended others. Those that were choked out represent others who broke the cycle of evil by turning the other cheek and not resisting evil. Those that fell on fertile ground found no resistance and grew to bring forth evil fruit. 

You know that you have an adversary and that he has strongholds, places and persons in which he is active and considers as his ‘turf’. What is your response to this situation? Do you seek them out to challenge them or avoid them out of fear? Neither response is correct. You are to respond to my direction in obedience rather than reacting to your enemy. Yet there is something you should be aware of, that you are a stronghold of life and light. My presence is in you and with you wherever you go and this is a stronger influence than any works of the enemy. Let your light shine before men that they may glorify me. 

Have you ever been tempted to write a scathing letter to someone who hurt you? Have you done it? After the passage of time did you think it was better to send it or not? My word teaches you to resist not evil, but if someone strikes you to turn the other cheek, or steals from you to give him more. This is a radical teaching. Do you feel you have no opportunities to apply it directly? Yet you can apply it in a general sense. Life will give you many chances to be involved in the cycle of evil even if it only involves words – attack, counterattack, escalation. You can break the cycle of evil and defeat it by not resisting it. 

Were you taught to put your best foot forward? Even without formal instruction most people naturally present themselves in the most favorable light, to keep their flaws hidden and make a favorable impression. Is this ever a bad idea? I told a story of two men who went to the temple. One prayed with himself rather than me and listed all of his religious achievements. He was glad he was not like the other man who acknowledged he was a sinner and cried out for mercy. He would not dare to raise his face toward me, but l looked down and accepted him. You don’t need to make an impression with me. Come and put your worst foot forward and you will be justified too.