No Priors

On November 6th, 2001 a very different kind of television show premiered on the American FOX television network. 

On November 6th, 2001 a very different kind of television show premiered on the American FOX television network. 

It used a novel method of portraying the story. They had exactly 24 episodes to cover the day’s span. As I watched, a particular theme emerged: Anyone, is capable of doing anything, given the right situation. This idea became the driving force behind explaining how sweet, boy next door characters could get to the point of doing horrific actions no worse than the terrorist bent on wiping out the lives of millions of people.

It used a novel method of portraying the story. They had exactly 24 episodes to cover the day’s span. As I watched, a particular theme emerged: Anyone, is capable of doing anything, given the right situation. This idea became the driving force behind explaining how sweet, boy next door characters could get to the point of doing horrific actions no worse than the terrorist bent on wiping out the lives of millions of people.

These were persons with no priors. No paper trail of crimes but given just the right motivation, the ends always justified the means as long the people THEY loved and cared about were not harmed or hurt. These highly pressurized situations turned the character’s moral framework upside down.

Two kings in the Bible would become prime examples of this “morality shakedown”. The first two monarchs of Israel, though starting out really “good guys” did some pretty horrible things over the course of their rule. Saul, tall handsome and all round nice guy would end up utterly destroying a village of priests in his quest to punish them for harboring a known “terrorist”. An enemy of the state that even collaborated with Israel’s sworn enemy the Philistines. David continuously escaped the clutches and searches of King Saul’s dragnet. One day the frustration got the better of Saul and he laid waste to this settlement of innocent people in his bipolar rage.

Now King, most know what David did in his quest to cover up his time with another man’s wife. A soldier that served in his army. A man that after multiple efforts on David’s part would not do the simple act of taking a night off and sleep with his dear wife. An act that would easily cover up David’s escapade. The King would eventually order the captain of his army to “allow” the enemy to kill this frustrating man by leaving him alone at the front-line of battle. The plan was successful. David was free to marry the object of his affection but he became a murderer even though he did not commit the final act himself.

Though both guilty, only one was redeemed. In the enemy’s quest to cause you to commit sins you never thought you could ever do, he will connect a series of events. At first you will not even realize that they are daisy-chained to create a fuse to trigger thoughts and actions you believed was beyond your ability to do. Especially if you have “no priors”. Are you that squeaky clean, church girl or that “boy-scout” with the sterling morals? You, my friend have a target on your back. The devil will go after you like Job. You have to hide behind the hedge of daily commitment to God. Abide in His grace. Because the roaring lion will turn even the best of us into the worst of us, given just the right set of circumstances. No one is immune, no matter how righteous you THINK you are. Even if you have no priors.

— YorkAli Walters 

Mar 14, 2025

…each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.- James 1: 14,15