Harold Keller / L’Observateur / December 2, 2000

Recently, I drove a young man to a drug treatment center because he didn’t have a ride to get there. The fact of the matter was that his family didn’twant to inconvenience themselves with the 190-mile round trip.

On our way to the center, we covered a lot of ground in casual conversation. I found out that he was 34 years old, not married, but hadfour children from different women. I also found out that the gold on histeeth, which almost blinded me when he smiled, cost $330.

He shared with me that going to treatment would prevent him from being home for the Christmas holidays. He bragged that different women wereimportant in his life. “I like to have a new ‘chick’ every so often,” hesmiled. The young man really enjoyed talking about his drug and sexescapades. “How many different women have you had sex with?” I asked.”Well over 100,” he boasted. He was getting me dizzy with his constanttalking.

I asked him if he was a Christian. “Yes, sir,” he replied. “My family broughtme to church regularly and we read the Bible.” “Since you’re a Christian,” Isaid, “you evidently believe in heaven and hell.” “Yes, I do!” he said. I thenasked, “If you were to die right now, where would your soul spend eternity?” With no hesitation, he answered, “I’d go to heaven.” “Why?” Iasked. He answered, “Because I believe in God.” I reminded him that theBible says the devil believes in God and he trembles at the thought. Ishocked him when I told him that if he died at that moment, I would bust hell wide open. “You can’t judge me,” he said. “I won’t, but God will,” Ireminded him.

I was not surprised by my conversation with the young man. He, like manypeople, have been deceived into believing that acknowledging God is all we have to do to gain eternal happiness. The Bible says we must love, serveand obey Him.

One of the devil’s most-used tools is deception. It will lead to depravityand eventually to eternal death. Deception had led this young man to adepraved state of existence. A depraved man is corrupt and evil; he isperverted. Most people don’t look depraved. They do a good job of coveringit up. Depravity is an internal disease. It eats away at us and pollutes ourthoughts, words, relationships and actions.

I’m reminded of what drug addicts are told when they first seek help – drugs aren’t the problem, but symptoms of other deep-rooted problems.

This man is confused. His drug problem is minor compared to his depravity.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. He may be reached at 652-8477.

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