The Founders of this nation held a profound understanding of human nature, viewing it as inherently depraved, a mixture of good and evil. They believed that even the good within us is tainted by evil, as seen in Genesis 2 with Adam and Eve's choice to partake of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This perspective shaped their creation of a republic, designed to constrain the corruptible tendencies of humanity through separated powers and checks and balances, ensuring no single entity could dominate and tyrannize the people. They recognized that power corrupts, and thus structured the government to limit the influence of human nature's darker aspects. From the beginning, as shown in Genesis, human nature started as neutral but with a bias toward self due to the flesh's desires. Adam and Eve's decision to follow the serpent's influence introduced a spectrum of good and evil into their minds, leading to separation from God because of their choice to embrace both. This mixture continues in all humanity, with each person starting life with a neutral, selfish nature, easily pulled toward evil as God has allowed mankind to follow its own path, reaping the consequences of such choices. Scripture consistently portrays human nature as corrupt, a blend of good and evil where even seemingly righteous actions are marred by sinful motives. Passages like Genesis 8 reveal that the heart of man remains evil from youth, unchanged even by catastrophic events like the Flood. Throughout the Bible, from Proverbs to Jeremiah, the message is clear: our hearts are desperately wicked, and the good we do is often corrupted by underlying selfishness or other flaws, reflecting the enduring impact of that initial choice in the Garden.

Mankind, since Genesis 3, has lived under the curse of deciding what is right and wrong apart from God's perfect way. From the moment Adam and Eve took from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the foundation of everything men have done has been cursed with cracks, separate from the foundation that is in Jesus Christ. They knew they were naked and immediately began deciding for themselves how to restore what had covered them before, having lost the glorious beauty of being created in the image of God. Their own thinking could not cover their shame, as only God, through the glory of Jesus Christ, could provide restoration. The seduction by the shining spirit, allowed by God within the Garden of Eden, began the deception of the whole world, a deception that continues to this day under satan's influence. Men persist in building on foundations opposed to God's Word, determining good and evil from their own minds, which will ultimately crumble due to the consequences of sin. What God offers now through Jesus Christ is a precious return to living by His Holy Spirit within the clarity and sanity of His Word, amidst an insane world swayed by satan's seduction. It is not for us to become entangled in the ways of the world, even when they seem right, for they stem from the original sin of deciding good and evil apart from God. Our responsibility is to learn and live by every word of God, committed to holiness as God is holy through Jesus Christ, recognizing our citizenship in the Kingdom of God rather than in the corrupt foundations determined by human minds.

The mixture of good and evil in this world often appears harmless to many, yet it stands contrary to God's intent. A striking example is the promotion of evil through events like Halloween, which glorifies elements of darkness under the guise of fun. Scripture reveals that such practices, though deemed harmless by society, are evil in the sight of the LORD, as they harm life and liveliness in ways not immediately apparent. Proverbs 8:13 declares that the fear of the LORD is to hate evil, urging a vehement opposition to all that undermines God's purpose. This mixture is evident when righteousness seems to fellowship with lawlessness, as seen in the jarring image of a vehicle promoting terror and death turning into a place associated with Christian values. Such a scene illustrates the double-mindedness pervasive in society, where evil is casually embraced without recognition of its detrimental effects. The account of the Two Trees in the Garden of Eden further teaches that, in the context of eternity, a blend of good and evil ultimately amounts to evil alone. God has defined good and evil explicitly in His law because humanity's shortsightedness prevents recognition of long-term harm. Practices like idolatry or deceit, though justified by some as inconsequential, are wicked in His sight because they injure those involved, even if the damage is not immediately visible. The fear of God, which produces wisdom and understanding, enables sound judgment and the ability to discern cause and effect, guiding one to despise evil and live in alignment with eternal life. As children of God, we are called to resemble Him by loving what He loves and hating what He hates. He despises pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverse speech, as these always lead to harm. By growing in His image and allowing the light of truth to reveal our flaws, we learn to hate the evil within ourselves and reject elements of our nature that cause misery. This reverence for His holiness, coupled with knowledge of Him and His Son, helps us separate from what defiles and perfects our holiness in the fear of God.

In the context of our stewardship responsibilities, we must recognize the pervasive mixture of good and evil that surrounds us, as exemplified by the culture termed Babylon the Great. This environment, governed by forces opposed to God's purpose, seeks the destruction of humanity through a blend of deceptive practices and influences. Babylon represents a world that mixes beneficial and harmful elements, yet leans overwhelmingly toward evil, particularly in matters of health and life perspective. This mixture creates a sense of helplessness in effecting change, as its ways are deeply ingrained in our thinking and habits, forming part of what we must overcome with God's help. The account of Daniel and his companions illustrates the challenge of resisting this corrupting mixture. They faced the pressure of being transformed into full-blown Babylonians, a process aimed at stripping them of their faith and integrating them into a culture opposed to God's way. Their refusal to partake in the king's food, despite the risk to their lives, underscores their commitment to maintaining purity in the face of a world that blends good with evil. Their success, attributed more to God's blessing than to the diet itself, reveals a principle: God ensures that those faithful in their responsibilities to Him will not be losers, rewarding their steadfastness amidst a corrupted environment.