Some People Are Just Mean

     I read something the other day on a Christian blog that got me to thinking about mean, hateful and even evil people that rings true even if one is not a Christian. 
     The blogger pointed out that we find it difficult to believe that such individuals actually exist. We can’t imagine someone deceiving us with no conscience, hurting others with no remorse, spitting out fabrications to ruin someone’s reputation, or pretending to be someone or something they are not in order to take advantage of others. But, the sad truth is such people do exists. 
     How do you recognize such a person? Here are some signs to look for: 

1) They are experts at creating confusion and contention. They twist the facts, mislead, lie, avoid taking responsibility, make up stories, and withhold information. 
2) They are experts at fooling others with smooth speech and flattering words, but if you look at their lives, you find no real evidence of anything good. Their speech is all smoke and mirrors designed to deceive.
3) They crave, even demand, control and they are their own highest authority. They reject feedback, accountability, and make up their own rules to live by. 
4) They play on the sympathies of good-willed people. They demand mercy but give none themselves. They demand warmth, forgiveness, and intimacy from those they have harmed with no empathy for the pain they have caused and no real intention of making amends or working to repair any damage they have caused.
5) They have no conscience, no remorse. They delight in harming others and sometimes masquerading as someone of noble character 

     The longer you try to reason with them or show them compassion, the more you become a pawn in their game. Even if they say they are sorry their goal is to escape the consequences of their actions and they hope to be granted immunity from those consequences. They believe forgiveness entitles them to reconciliation and will pressure their victim to comply. They often know what they are doing is wrong, but simply don't care. 
     It's best to avoid these people in so far as possible and not fool ourselves by saying they are not that bad or that they are changing when repeated evidence shows otherwise. When people like this show you who they really are, believe them the first time.