Our God — Page 165
Great Benefits ofBelief in God 165 benefits or reward. Second, one might fear the consequences or punishment as a result of committing some evil act. Third, because of one’s enhanced knowledge and insight, one refrains from evil for the sake of it being evil. There are no other factors stopping one from sin and crime. Out of the three factors, the third relates to the select few and the common people are not influenced by it. Though a believer has an edge over a non-believer in benefiting from the third, belief in God obviously also plays a major role in the other two fac- tors. Whosoever believes in God also believes that evil deeds will displease God with consequent suffering and punishment, and abstaining from evil will please God with consequent benefits and rewards. Thus a person who really believes in God is more secure from sin than others. It is impossible for one believing in God to daringly commit evil. On the contrary, the more one advances in perfection of his belief the further he distances himself from sin and crime and disdains them. Moreover, belief in God stops one from evil also because a believer regards God as Omnipresent and Knower of Unseen. Therefore, if a person possesses true faith, which is not pretentious or merely inherited, then the idea that God is watching over him will stop him from evil deeds. Indeed, it is not possible that every person is watched by a policeman all the time; that is why even the most powerful and strict governments have not been able to fully eradicate crime. It is only belief in God that can vigilantly guard over every heart all the time. One who earnestly believes in God cannot boldly embark on sin. Indeed, if such a person happens to commit a sin inadvertently, his faith will make him remorse- ful and will urge him to remain vigilant in the future. Therefore,