"The Meanest Man In Texas"

Human interest stories have always been fascinating and interesting to me, because in reading some of these stories which tell of an ungodly and sinful life, I'm motivated to look inside myself and think, "But for the grace of God, I could have ended up just like this individual." These stories also motivate me to ask, "What causes people to do evil things to other people?" And then I read the fascinating story of Clyde Thompson, dubbed, "The Meanest Man In Texas" (see article).

The following are three observations that came to me after reading about this man who thankfully, "Came to himself" (Luke 15:17), after reading and studying a Bible that was given to him by a prison guard:

1) A lot of the trouble folks get into is because of a hardened conscience [heart] (Hebrews 3:7-12). The Bible speaks of the conscience that is "past feeling" (Ephesians 4:17-19), or one that has been "seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Their lusts dominate all of the feelings, direct their thoughts, and end up causing them to have a perverted sense of judgment (James 1:14-15). Paul called it "a reprobate mind" (marginal reading - "a mind void of judgment" - Romans 1:28 KJV; cf. 2 Timothy 3:8 KJV). Essentially, they "choose" to separate themselves from God and from a God-motivated life (Romans 1:21-32; cf. Isaiah 59:1-2).

2) Another reason that folks do bad things, is they have been raised in an environment where good and right are not promoted. Parents can either "make" or "break" a child's future by simply not living right before them (note the contrast between Eli and his lack of godly influence on his sons (1 Samuel 2:12-27) and that of Timothy and the good influence of his mother, grandmother, and Paul (2 Timothy 1:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:14-15). This is why the teaching in Deuteronomy 6:1-14; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4, is so important for the future welfare of our children and grandchildren (Psalm 78:1-8). We must not only teach them right, by God's righteous word, but provide a right example before them as well.

3) Lastly, people who do evil things are usually around people who do evil things (1 Corinthians 15:33). The principle of influence, either for good or evil, is found in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7; cf. Gal. 5:9; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18. Choosing godly companions who will in turn provide a good and godly influence, is key to how a person conducts himself in life.

Thankfully, through the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16), Clyde Thompson turned his life around, leading many souls to Christ. Dear reader, if we ever think that our problems are insurmountable, let us reread the life of Clyde Thompson, dubbed, "The Meanest Man In Texas," and then come to know the life-changing power of the gospel.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets