Archive for January, 2022
Hope Sustains, Worry Doesn’t
Where do we go from here? The primary crescendo of hate began with the outcome of the presidential election in 2016. It then festered as bitterness toward one person. It has since grown to grip our entire culture.
The scary point is this is the way every revolution and degradation in the world has started. Do we have the morality and fortitude to stop it? The answer to that determines where we go from here. Are our institutions viable and resolute enough to foster a return to civility such as we once enjoyed? Pray that the answer to that is a hearty yes.
I ask the question regarding institutions because they are the voices that reach the masses.
In speaking of revolution Vladimir Lenin spoke of controlling two institutions. He said for a revolution to succeed it must take the high grounds of education and entertainment. Make your own assessment of these two areas of our culture.
Yet, another factor in the success of a revolution, as with Nazism in Germany, is the wakening and eventually muting of the churches. Again make your own assessment of today’s churches and in what direction they are tending. In doing so consider what influence has the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel had on the spiritual vitality of church. Compounding that, are pulpits addressing the spiritual and moral decay of society?
The reactionary hate vented in Washington on January 6, 2021, has not gone away. It is still there smoldering quietly for a time. The counter cultural hate that burned our cities last year is dormant for a season, but still there.
Has the rhetoric of many elected officials had a calming influence in society? Are political opponents and their followers vitriolically vilified? Who runs on their own merits not the amplified presumed weakness of their opponent?
Instead of torching each other we must become torchbearers of sanity, morality, and spiritual vitality. Not only does the last not have a broad base of advocates, it is a hush-hush topic. It is the only topic about which it is said, “Don’t offend anybody.”Offense has license in other venues.
There is a broad base of support for the idea of personal stockpiling non-perishable foods for the conflict to come. That implies what direction those people think we are going.
Here is a novel idea. Instead of just stockpiling food, how about personally building a bounty of morality, virtue, civility, grace, and here it is again, spirituality. While not giving up on institutions, work on yourself and then them. Become an advocate for good.
If an organization of any kind insists on it working for the general good of society. There is bigotry and hate in every phase of life. Oppose the principles among all. Don’t simply become an advocate of some group. You can be assured there is a need for every group to be purged of impropriety.
Remember that little tune: “It’s love, it’s love that makes the world go around.” Well if that wheel hasn’t stopped it sure has slowed dramatically.
Now what? Keep the faith. It is good to be concerned. It is bad to get discouraged and start worrying. The ancient palmist wrote:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.” (Psalm 42: 5)
Happiness Is… 1/31/99
John 13:17
Page 1577 Come Alive Bible
Jesus Christ said, “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”
Jesus did not say, “If you possess these things you will be happy.” Howard Hughes was long considered the world’s richest man. Just before his death he was asked if he was happy. He replied, “No!” If money made a person happy he would have been giddy.
Until you make peace with who you are you will never be content with what you have.
BELIEVE —-
You are a wonderful, unique person.
You are a once-in-all-history individual.
It is more than a right to be who you are, it is a duty.
That life isn’t a problem to be solved, but a gift to be cherished.
If you so believe you will be able to stay up on what used to get you down.
Nor did Christ say, “If you go to these places you will be happy.” Some persons seem to think that they need to go somewhere to be happy. You will never be happy anywhere until you are happy where you are. It is you, not the place that makes for happiness.
I’ve just returned from Paradise, Hawaii. Once there we encountered a couple coming out of their hotel room. As the man slammed the door of this luxury hotel he said, “Let’s get out of this place, I am disgusted and want to get out of here.” I got the impression he plays that record where ever he is. He carries his unhappiness inside himself.
He didn’t say, “Get a certain job and you will be happy.”
A Princeton, New Jersey, psychologist, Dr. Herbert M. Greenberg, has done revealing study in this field. He interviewed over 250,000 employees from 4,000 firms. Every part of the country was represented as was every job category and educational group. His findings revealed 80% of all workers at all levels are unhappy and frustrated. Imagine, four out of every five are unhappy. One of the biggest markets in America today is for happiness.
Likewise, He didn’t say, “Be part of the “in crowd” and you will be happy.”
He said there are certain things you need to know and when you know them if you do them happiness is the natural consequence. Thus, happiness consists of “knowing” and “doing.”
He makes it almost sound like a science anyone can master. It is —- and you can.
Eudaemonics is defined by Webster as the science of happiness. Christianity is much more than a code of ethics but it is also a code of ethics. Science is a study dealing with a body of facts. The body of facts taught and demonstrated by Christ when applied results in happiness. Various laws of physics and chemistry have been demonstrated and proven inflexible for years. The truths taught by Christ are just as exact and always produce the same by-product – happiness.
Having noted Christianity is more than ethics I want to establish on what the ethics of Christianity are based. They are based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with a person, Jesus Christ. This relationship must first be willfully established before seeking to apply the ethic. To reverse the order is to experience frustration. To get them in the proper order is to experience happiness.
The relationship consists of letting Christ be your Savior and Master. As Savior He cleanses and forgives of sin. Having paid the price for our sins by dying on Calvary it remains for us to respond in faith. When we do then the forgiveness is applied personally. Simultaneously with His forgiveness and His becoming our Savior He becomes our Master. That is, the one in charge of our new relationship.
Our eastern mystical religious friends speak reverently of their “master.” Their gurus are called their “master.” Christ is our Master. That is He is the one who teaches us. That is where the principles of happiness come into play. He is the Master we are the disciples. That is, learners. The more and the better we learn the happier we are. It works.
Once you trust Christ as Savior and respond to Him as Master you are FDIC Insured —
“Father’s Divine Immortal Compassion.”
In considering happiness some basics need understanding. First, no emotion can be maintained indefinitely. Even as Christ spoke of happiness He became troubled in His spirit as He thought of the dastardly deed Judas was about to perform (John 13:21). A shiver went through the soul of Jesus and His disciples as He spoke of His pending betrayal. Not a happy moment. Not all are. Don’t expect it.
That night in the upper room the hearts of the disciples were filled with a medley of emotions:
They were sad because of the prospect of Christ’s departure.
They were ashamed because they had acted selfishly.
They were perplexed because of the prediction one of them would betray Christ.
They were wavering in their faith, though hoping against hope.
All that was put in perspective when Christ said, “Let not your hearts be troubled….”
This was not simply cheery talk at a pep-rally. He gave assurance as to why they should cease being disturbed. In essence Christ said, “Continue to trust in God, also in Me continue to trust. I will supply your needs. Let not your hearts any longer be troubled.”
A person can’t stay sad, glad, mad, joyous, dejected, or happy all the time. However, you can maintain a predisposition toward happiness. That is it can be your nature to be inclined toward happiness. Have you ever heard it said of a little child he is so full of happiness? Or he has a happy disposition. You can be one who predetermines to interpret the events of life in the happiest light.
Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
The seeds of happiness are sown in the soil of every soul, attitude and disposition are the environment in which they do or don’t germinate.
Happiness is a choice not an automatic response.
There is a little couplet that speaks of two persons having different views of the same situation: “Two men looked out of prison bars. One saw mud the other stars.” Which are you?
Happiness is not something to be sought or bought. It is a beautiful by-product of a job well done. It is, as Christ said, the result of doing those things as he taught them.
It often comes into ones life through doors we don’t even remember leaving open.
If a person seeks happiness as an end in itself they are likely to find it as the old man did his glasses for which he had long looked. Right on the tip of his nose.
Nathaniel Hawthorne said, “Happiness is like a butterfly. Try to grasp it and you will frighten it away. Sit down quietly and it may alight on your shoulder.”
I find it like a cat. Try to attract it and it will ignore you. Leave it alone and it will come and rub up against you and purr.
I know some persons who will never be happy. They may experience brief bursts of happiness. However, their inner orientation is such that they are predisposed to be unhappy. Are you such a person? You can change. A change of environment, social status, economic standing or any other outward change won’t bring about happiness. It has to come from personal internal orientation. Make a mental note of some of these ideals and apply them.
Consider four factors enabling you to have happiness.
I. PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE
Let me share a verse that is of all verses one of the greatest stimuli to happiness. “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU!” (HEBREWS 13:5B)
He said “NEVER.” This is a compound of five negatives. That doesn’t each is added to the other, it means each is multiplied by the other. “I will never, no not ever, no never leave you…”
It is a forever never with no exceptions.
If God will never leave you He has not now left you for “never” means “now.”
“LEAVE” translates aniemi meaning, “to leave behind, to abandon, to give up on, to send back.” Get it!
“I will never, no not ever, no never leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, or send you back.”
If you ever emotionally feel as though He has call your emotions a liar.
Then He said He would never “FORSAKE” you.
To forsake means to leave one in a helpless state, to disregard. Thus, He said: “I will never, no not ever, no never, leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, send you back, leave you in a helpless state, or disregard you.”
Who said it? God!
The omnipotent God said it. The God who is all powerful.
The omnipresent God said it. The God who is all present.
The omniscient God said it. The God who is all knowing.
When you are inclined to say, “I don’t have strength to go on,” remember the all powerful God said, “I will never, no not ever, no never leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, send you back, leave you in a helpless state, or disregard you.”
When you are inclined to say, “I am so lonely.” Remember the all present God said, “I will never, no not ever, no never leave you behind….”
When you are disposed to say, “I don’t know what to do.” Remember the all knowing God said, “I will never, no not ever, no never ….”
Practice the presence behind the promise. Note, the verse begins “I” and ends, “you.” This is the basic “I-you” relationship that produces happiness.
Want it? Get it, and you got it!
II. PROJECT WITH A PURPOSE
Start every day with the confidence you and your Master can achieve. Together you can search the unsearchable, know the unknowable, and do the undoable.
Realize you have an invisible companion in all of life.
“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
The difference Christ makes in our world is not that He said, “You MUST” with more force than anyone else, but that He said, “With Me, you CAN.”
Don’t let your feelings govern you attitude. Let faith and facts determine your outlook. When you awake in the morning you might in all honesty be able to say, “Dear Lord I don’t feel like you are here with me.” Any one of many things may cause such a downer. You may have eaten Paul Revere Pizza the night before and it got you up in the middle of the night.
The fact is you don’t feel like the Lord is within a country mile of you and is looking the other direction. In a moment like that be honest with the Lord. You might well pray:
“Dear Lord, I don’t feel like you are here with
me. However, Lord in your Word you said you would
never leave me not forsake me. Therefore, in spite
of my feelings I thank you for the fact you are here
with me. Let’s you and me go get ‘um.”
Continue with enthusiasm, “Lord, I’ve never
lived this day before and I will never live it
again. Help me to live it to the fullest in such a
way that I won’t long to live it over or have to
live it down. There will not be instant replay or
rerun so help me to live it up to your standard.”
Live each day with a purpose. That purpose being to do all within your power to see to it that in your life His will is done. He’ll help you.
In his work History of European Morals, Leaky spoke of Christianity as “the most powerful moral lever that has ever been applied to the affairs of men.”
Jesus spoke often of the Kingdom. It was primarily a reference to rule and realm. When He rules us He shares with us His power.
In searching for happiness keep in mind it is a beautiful by-product of a job well done. The initial and primary job that must be well done is to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”
The apostle Paul exhorted his friend Timothy and through him shared the same encouragement with us: “…give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine ….Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (I Timothy 4:15).
Meditation is a lost art among most Christians. New Age afficionados have given a bad reputation to the art. However, the Psalmist spoke 14 times of meditating. The word means to make an image. New Age teaching is that we create our own reality. That is so close to the truth as to be deceptive. It is not truth however.
Biblical meditation is taking a concept and dwelling on it until we become absorbed in it. Before he wrote of them David made a mental image of: a shepherd and his fold, green grass and a stream, the cup and oil, and fellowship with God.
Mentally armed with such thought he faced lions and giants.
When he failed to engage in such meditation and instead went up on the roof top and committed Transidential Adultery he lost spiritual battles that caused himself and others much unhappiness.
Meditation on the Word of God enables one to replace subconscious conflicts with spiritual truths which produce peace and a stable personality.
“If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”
You Are An Encourager
Study the life of the Bible character Barnabas and ask God to make you like him. Barnabas was originally named Joses, which is the same as Joseph, but the apostles gave him a new name—Barnabas. This name means son of encouragement. (Acts 4: 36) His kind are needed today. Maybe you?
He was the kind of person you would have wanted around you. As Barnabas is studied throughout Acts of the Apostles, it is clear that he played a predominant role in the early Christian church; he was truly the “son of encouragement.” There is not a lot said of specific ministries he personally performed, but much is said of how he encouraged and hence expanded the work of others, particularly Paul. He opened the door of ministry for Paul when others were skeptical. “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9: 26, 27)In his life he traveled the known world with Paul and John Mark.
Have you ever thought how nice it would be to have such a person in your life? You can be assured there are people around you who have had that thought. Have you thought of being such a person for them? You, a son or daughter of encouragement! What an important role.
The Church in Jerusalem sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” (Acts 11: 22 – 24)
With all the factors at work in our society we all need a little, make that a lot, or encouragement. Where are they going to get if not from someone like you?
Here is a good thing about giving encouragement. There is no time when it is more blessed to give than to receive. It is in giving you receive more than you give.
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15: 1, 2)
Andy Andrews wrote “Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely. Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider that even the simplest actions you take for your lives matter beyond measure…and they matter forever.”
Subjectivism
There are three destructive schools of thought prominent in our culture, This addresses the third. They are relativism, tolerance, and subjectivism. They will be addressed in three sequential Posts. Third, Subjectivism.
How are believers to live in a world where subjectivism has replaced objectivism? Subjectivism means I am the subject. Objectivism means there is an object other than self. In this consideration the Bible is the object.
In Christian ethics and morals the Lord as revealed through the Bible has been the object affording us the standard for right and wrong.
Now the source of right or wrong has shifted from the object, the Bible, to the individual “I.”
“I” am the authority for right or wrong. That brings us back to absolutes. “I,” the subject has no absolutes, everything is relative.
This leaves a conscience free of conviction. The individual becomes “god.” When the moral compass of Scripture is replaced by the will of the individual, direction is lost in life. Every person does that which is right in his or her own sight.
Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) are popular. It is a simple little device that is locked on to a satellite. It can tell you where on earth you are within a matter of inches.
If lost you might not like what the GPC shows. You might dispute it and decide to go the direction you desire rather than the one indicated to be correct. The standard remains. You don’t judge the standard, it judges you.
How are we to live in such a culture?
1. When you blow it, confess your sin quickly and repentantly return to the Lord in faith and obedience.
2. Build your faith through the study of God’s Word and prayer. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
3. Be prepared for spiritual conflict against:
A. The world. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (I John 2: 15, 17).
B. The flesh. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:16,17).
C. Satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (I Peter 5:8, 9).
Things That Go Bump in the Night 10/31/99
Hebrews 9:24-28
JESUS CHRIST believed in the devil, demons, and evil spirits. Do you?
The outcome of Christ’s encounters with demonic powers is summed up in Colossians 2: 15, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” There is victory in Jesus.
In America today there is a celebration of the spiritual underworld life style called Halloween. That holiday isn’t what it was when many of us adults were children, and it isn’t what it was long before that.
Fear sells. A recent survey among teens showed more of them know who Freddy Kruger is than Abraham Lincoln.
What a couple of decades ago was a fun filled night of collecting goodies has changed. Today more personal property is destroyed on this day than any. Costly vandalism reaches a peak on this night. Razor blades and needles are buried in fruit. Hallucinogenics are put in candy. It is not simply the scary night it used to be. It is now a frightening night.
FROM WHERE DID IT COME?
The word Halloween comes from the event called “All Hallows Eve.” It is now the evening before All Saints Day. In certain parts of the country, such as our former home state of Louisiana, All Saints Day is a very special occasion when our dead loved ones are remembered and honored. It is a custom to put flowers on graves on this day. It is second only to Mother’s Day in the sale of flowers in Louisiana.
Even before the time of Christ, the ancient Druids had a holiday honoring their lord of the dead, Samhain. It was on the last day of October, the Celtic new year.
Druids believed that on this night Samhain called forth the souls of all who had died during the last twelve months and had during the time following their death been inhabiting animal bodies. These spirits returned to their former homes where the occupants were to treat them by providing food and entertainment for them. If it wasn’t acceptable, these spirits played tricks on the residents. From this emerged our “Trick or Treat.”
Legend says a man named Jack tricked the devil into not bothering him during his life. At death, Jack was denied both heaven and hell. He groped his way through the dark by carrying a glowing coal in a carved out turnip. From this came our Jack-o-lantern.
Halloween is one of the highest and holiest days of the occult year. Though witchcraft and Satanism are separate, both celebrate this day. Certain hard core Satanist make 33 living sacrifices on this night. One for each year of Christ’s earthly life. One of these sacrifices is to be a human.
Several years ago a satanic castle built in the north Georgia mountains was pillaged, and the two Satanists who lived there were murdered. I was privileged to visit the scene the morning after the night of horror. I spent a bit of time in the library and found their diary. The descriptions of their celebrations on Halloween confirm the rituals associated with the event.
A QUESTION OFTEN ASKED IS, DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?
Yes, I do. However, I want to share a Biblical perspective of what they are and what their limits are.
On occasion, while visiting the White House, I had the honor of staying in the Lincoln Bedroom —- free. The usher assigned to accommodate me told me of the sightings of Mr. Lincoln’s ghost in the White House. Queen Elizabeth, and several presidents have reported seeing him. Is Mr. Lincoln there? Emphatically, NO!
How do we know that? Our texts says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after that the judgement” (Heb. 9:27). “After that” means immediately. Mr. Lincoln is either in heaven or hell.
Because of his professed faith in Jesus Christ, we know he is in heaven.
Well, what is it?
It is a demonic representation of him intended to deceive persons. Before persons become alarmed and apprehensive, let me hasten to say such is a rare phenomenon and not likely to happen to a believer. What it does prove is that demon spirits do exist.
CAN THE LIVING COMMUNE WITH THE DEAD?
I have had former fortune tellers inform me that they could tell people things about their departed loved ones they had no way of knowing. They said they actually saw the dead relatives while in a trance and talked with them.
Were these actually their departed dead? NO! “It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgement…” The revelation they received was from deceptive demonic spirits representing the deceased in appearance and with information. They had lived around the dead relatives during their lives and knew all about them.
These admitted mediums, that have shared this confidence, said they came to realize this ability did not come from God and could be from only one other source — the devil.
This led them to renounce the practice and repentantly receive Christ.
According to Colossians 1: 13 Jesus “delivered them from the power of darkness.”
Demons do exist, but often are not recognized as such.
We also encounter supernatural forces masquerading as angels of light. Their disguise is often so effective we do not recognize them for what they are.
The Bible speaks of them deceiving even “the elect,” that is, Christians. A deceived Christian acts little different from a devout Christian. A legitimate question is, “In what ways is this done?” How do they mislead people?
1. They give “wisdom” that is contrary to the wisdom of God. “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic” (James 3: 15).
2. They work to control the lives of persons. There are individuals who assert they don’t want to establish a close relationship with Christ because they want their freedom. Little do they know they aren’t free, but rather that a supernatural power is at work in them.
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:1,2).
3. They afflict some people with sickness. I want to hasten to confirm not all sickness is of such origin. I know of too many dear Christians who suffer frustration because they have heard that Satan causes sickness. He does some. Some believers go through prolonged repentance hoping it will cure them. Ask God once to forgive your sins and it is done. Thereafter, rejoice over His cleansing.
Some, NOT ALL, sickness is caused by demonic forces. Jesus related to such a woman: “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound; think of it; for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:16)
4. According to II Peter 2: 1, Satan dispenses error among people and seeks to reduce believer’s effectiveness. This texts speaks of false prophets. If you were going to make a counterfeit $20.00 bill, what would you make it look like? If you were Satan and were going to create an effective false prophet, what would you make him or her like? The nearer the resemblance, the more effective the deception and the more destructive the work.
Major deceptions are being marketed in glossy print and glitzy films by charismatic personalities. Some are:
a. “All is one.” All the plants, animals, and earth are part of one large living organism.
b. “All is a god.” This is ancient pantheism which abandons the view of a personal God in favor of an impersonal energy, force, or consciousness.
c. “We are all gods” whether we realize it or not. Actress Shirley Maclaine said her spirit guide informed her, “If everyone was taught one basic spiritual law, your world would be a happier, healthier place. And that law is this: Everyone is God. Everyone.”
d. “A consciousness awakening” is needed, a new way of interpreting life. Eastern meditation, yoga, hypnosis, or drugs can help.
In summary, this teaches we are all self- realized gods and as such inherit the supernatural. All this is of the devil.
5. They can buffet us. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” which was described as “a messenger of Satan” (II Cor. 12: 7). The thorn isn’t identified in order that we can all relate to the situation and realize that as the text says God’s grace is sufficient.
I am convinced it was Alexander the coppersmith whom he described as having done him much evil (II Timothy 4: 14).
Sometimes thorns are personal.
6. They cause contention among God’s people.
“For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you” (I Corinthians 1:11).
7. They give some a spirit of fear.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).
Guilt is a major factor in many lives. It is “the blood of Christ” that can “purge your conscience” (Hebrews 9: 14).
If you have a spirit of fear it doesn’t come from God.
8. They tempt people with unclean thoughts, such as the man in Mark 5. When Jesus cast the legion of demons out of him, they entered into a bunch of hogs. Jesus shouted “Suey” to them and they committed hogacide.
Satanic influences are contaminating the minds of people as never before. Pornography is rampant. The Internet, TV, videos, and various publications flaunt it. It is one of the greatest stimulants to promiscuity. It is a major contributor to marital discord and break-up.
9. They lull persons into spiritual apathy, indifference, and delay. C.S. Lewis the brilliant British author put this into perspective in his classic Screwtape Letters. In the book there is a dialogue between the chief devil, Screwtape, and his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is being sent on assignment to interfere with the spiritual lives of individuals and disrupt the church. The wise old devil gives this council on how to undermine the faith and repentance of a young Christian. In this conversation Christ is spoken of by Screwtape as “the Enemy.” The idea of repentance and faith in Christ is called a “disaster.”
It remains to consider how we can retrieve this disaster. The great thing is to prevent his doing anything. As long as he does not convert it into action, it does not matter how much he thinks about this new repentance. Let the little bruit wallow in it. Let him, if he has any bent that way, write a book about it; that is often an excellent way of sterilizing the seeds which the Enemy plants in a human soul. Let him do anything but act. No amount of piety in his imagination and affections will harm us if we can keep it out of his will. As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.”
In the initial moments of this message, I spoke of the victory of Jesus Christ over demonic forces. Hear these texts:
“He came to destroy the works of Satan” (I John 3:8).
“He brought to nothing the forces of evil” (Hebrews 2:14,15).
“He triumphed over the forces of evil” (Colossians 2:15).
The purpose and power of the cross is to bring people back into a relationship with Christ. The very essence of Christianity is the restored relationship. The love expressed by Christ on the cross has the power to turn rebellion into surrender, and resentment of God into love for God.
“He came to set the captive free” (Luke 4:18).