In a previous post (The devil's top 10) I listed some of the more common deceits of the devil. These would apply to Christians as much as anyone else, of course, but this post lists some of the common strategies the devil employs particularly aimed at Christians. Again, they are filled with subtle or not-so-subtle half-truths, and at first sight may seem quite reasonable; but there is a deception at the core of each one.
You are not good enough to be a Christian
The devil says: "Christians, such as Mother Theresa, are such remarkable and saintly people! They have given their whole lives over to the service of others in disease-ridden slums. Whereas you are a very ordinary person, often confused and not at all special, not even particularly good; you are certainly not good enough to call yourself a Christian!"
Rationale: Putting Christians on a pedestal puts them out of reach, and makes them unlike normal human beings - admirable, but not real.
But the Bible says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11 v28
Christians should be busy
The devil says: "There are so many needs in the world, there's so much work to be done - church services and mid-week meetings; reading Christian books; and that's not to mention the poverty and material needs across the world. God gives you every minute - aren't you wasting that time?"
Rationale: Keep Christians very busy doing good things, in fact doing anything except reading the Bible and praying.
But the Bible says: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you", John 15v7, and "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength", Isaiah 30 v15.
Work in your own strength
The devil says: "God has given you that intelligence and ability; don't you think you should get on and use it? Don't you remember God told his people to be mature, so do you really think that he wants you to run to him every two seconds about every decision? No, get on and decide for yourself."
Rationale: Get Christians to step out and take the initiative from God rather than relying on and following him.
But Jesus said: "I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14 v31
Be very religious
The devil says: "Congratulations for trying so hard; with just a little more effort you could be a very good Christian indeed. Now, if you just got up 15 minutes earlier and knelt down while praying, then you'd do much better."
Rationale: This sounds wonderfully Christian, but it is just 'works', and it will put off most people, who can see this is just empty ritual. Moreover, you will be discouraged when you don't keep it up.
But the Bible says: "the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought" 1 Chronicles 28 v9
It's all about feelings
The devil says: "You know you don't feel as close to God as you used to. You should go to a good worship session, turn the volume up and wave you hands in the air; get into the spirit, and then it will all feel more real."
Rationale: Make truth subjective and personal, rather than based on what God has said.
But the Bible says: "‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14 v6
It's all about head-knowledge
The devil says: "How can you expect to be a good Christian if you don't know your Bible? You need to study it in order to understand some theology."
Rationale: Get Christians studying and discussing the Bible in order to check and debate their understanding. Discussing it is fine, just so long as they don't do what it says. Treat it as a academic exercise so they are relying on their own understanding, rather than the power of the Spirit.
But the Bible says: "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2 v17
Use the Bible to back up your arguments
The devil says: "It's important, if you are a Christian, to make sure that you have God's backing. So, when arguing your case, make sure to include plenty of Bible verses to show that you are right."
Rationale: Having Christians using the Bible to back up their own views means that they are not seeing themselves as subject to the Bible; it also passes their opinions off as God's views.
But the Bible says: "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them" Galatians 1 v9 (You would be wise to check this 'reference' for yourself!)
A verse for every occasion
The devil says: "God has given people the Bible; that's where the power lies. So what you need to do is to be able to quote the appropriate verse from it for each and every situation."
Rationale: Encourage people to give trite answers from the Bible, preferably out of context or mis-applied. Then people will come to see the Bible as a source of annoyance, of simplistic advice, and will miss the costliness of loving.
But the Bible says: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15 v13&14
You are a very successful Christian
The devil says: "You are such an excellent role-model as a Christian: active in church, insightful, holy, wise and knowledgeable. If only all the others in church were like you and followed your example!"
Rationale: pride, pride, pride...
But the Bible says: "These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66 v2
It's more important for Christians to be right than to be united
The devil says: "Defending the Gospel is such an important task that it is vital that you let no heresy gain ground. So be on your guard and ready to condemn Christians who make the slightest error; keep your distance from such sinful people."
Rationale: Where there is disunity amongst Christians their witness is neutered and they end up fighting on the devil's side!
But the Bible says: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4 v2-3
Ahhh! The devil's strategies are endless ...
... but the Bible says: "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" Ephesians 6 v16
Showing posts with label devil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devil. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Boiling frogs
It is said that a frog will not jump out of a pot of water if the temperature of the water is raised so gradually that the frog doesn't notice. Despite nothing stopping the frog from jumping out, it will stay there and be boiled to death - so long as the change in water temperature is very, very gradual.
This doesn't just apply to frogs! People who exert power know they can make changes very slowly, confident that those affected will gradually acclimatise to the changing circumstances and not notice until it's too late. This often occurs in abusive relationships; politicians and managers also use it to gradually introduce unpopular measures.
But there are at least two ways in which this applies to us all.
First, as we grow up in our increasingly materialistic and consumerist society, we gradually adjust to living more and more depersonalised lives in an increasingly polluted world, with run-away global warming and a rapid depletion of species. While we mutter about the degradation of life, we make no serious change of course, and it's not difficult to foresee a 'boiled frog incident' of global proportions coming.
Secondly, we also grow accustomed to the devil's pervasive lies which promote deceit as truth, greed as good, selfishness as self esteem, sex as love and desires as rights - and we just go with the flow. We call it 'progress' or 'modernisation' and see nothing particularly dangerous about such ideas!
Despite nothing stopping us from going back to the Author of Life - who is ever ready to rescue us, through Jesus, from a very unpleasant end - we gradually acclimatise to increasingly deadly ideas and ways of life without ever noticing - until its too late, and we are boiled to death.
In fact, I understand that experiments with frogs have shown that the 'boiled frog' story is a myth* - frogs do jump out when the water temperature gets uncomfortably hot.
So, it turns out that it doesn't work with frogs. But it does work with many humans.
* see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog
This doesn't just apply to frogs! People who exert power know they can make changes very slowly, confident that those affected will gradually acclimatise to the changing circumstances and not notice until it's too late. This often occurs in abusive relationships; politicians and managers also use it to gradually introduce unpopular measures.
But there are at least two ways in which this applies to us all.
First, as we grow up in our increasingly materialistic and consumerist society, we gradually adjust to living more and more depersonalised lives in an increasingly polluted world, with run-away global warming and a rapid depletion of species. While we mutter about the degradation of life, we make no serious change of course, and it's not difficult to foresee a 'boiled frog incident' of global proportions coming.
Secondly, we also grow accustomed to the devil's pervasive lies which promote deceit as truth, greed as good, selfishness as self esteem, sex as love and desires as rights - and we just go with the flow. We call it 'progress' or 'modernisation' and see nothing particularly dangerous about such ideas!
Despite nothing stopping us from going back to the Author of Life - who is ever ready to rescue us, through Jesus, from a very unpleasant end - we gradually acclimatise to increasingly deadly ideas and ways of life without ever noticing - until its too late, and we are boiled to death.
In fact, I understand that experiments with frogs have shown that the 'boiled frog' story is a myth* - frogs do jump out when the water temperature gets uncomfortably hot.
So, it turns out that it doesn't work with frogs. But it does work with many humans.
* see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog
Friday, 18 November 2011
The Devil's Top 10
It is easy to assume that the devil's work can be easily seen, for we expect him to speak or do such blatant evil that it will be patently obvious. In fact, much of what the devil does looks reasonable, logical, and perhaps even good, and so we miss the concealed half-truths and the appealing lies. Below is a selection of very common devilish deceits; perhaps we should start with the most basic:
The Devil doesn't exist
The devil says: "Surely you don't believe that old nonsense about me existing? I mean, if God exists, why would he allow there to be a devil to mess things up? And if God doesn't exist, then sure as hell, neither do I. No, really, that idea is just ancient fear of the unknown, or a convenient way of blaming someone else for our own failings."
Rationale: If people don't believe in the devil, they'll be off guard.
But the Bible says: "Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 1 Peter 5v8
If heaven exists, everyone's going there; hell certainly doesn't exist
The devil says: "God's a very forgiving sort of chap; after all he made human beings and knows what they're like. And he's already done everything necessary to accept people into heaven. So you can be sure that everyone will end up there."
Rationale: Remove the fear of God's judgement or any need for repentance.
But Jesus said: "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me all you evildoers." Luke 13 v27
The real world is the material world, what we can see, touch and measure
The devil says: "Come on, you don't believe all that spiritual nonsense do you? It's time you stopped believing all that hokum and accepted that the world is what we can see, the real physical stuff under our feet and all around us. Science has explained most things and it's only a matter of time until we understand the rest; there's certainly no need to resort to a God to make everything work!".
Rationale: It's based on the lies that everything is material, and that 'God' is only that which we cannot explain.
But the Bible says: "God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth." John 4 v24
Money makes the world go round
The devil says: "We all need money. Actually, we all need a bit more money. So, if we work a bit harder and earn a bit more we'll be able to buy that item we've wanted for a while, and then we'll be happier and better able to look after ourselves and our families."
Rationale: If we can seduce much of the world into thinking that materialism is normal and good, then a lot of the planet can be trapped at one fell swoop - and all in the name of progress!
But the Bible says: "You cannot serve both God and Money" Matthew 6 v24, and "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6 v10
It's all about being good and decent
The devil says: "What we need is to be respectful of each other; everyone knows that we can do as we like so long as we don't harm others. So long as you're not a murderer or paedophile, then all will be well."
Rationale: If people merely compare themselves with each other, rather than by God's standards, they'll feel secure.
But the Bible says: "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags". Isaiah 64 v6, and "There is no-one righteous, not even one." Romans 3 v10
Sex outside marriage is normal
The devil says: "In this day and age everyone accepts that there's nothing wrong with sex - it's normal and healthy, and we shouldn't be ashamed or prudish about it. Of course we've all had a variety of sexual partners, who hasn't? In fact, the more the merrier. There's nothing wrong with me!"
Rationale: This is a particularly good way of confusing sex with love, with people ending up feeling like objects and wary of anything called love.
But the Bible says: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19 v5-6
You're worth it
The devil says: "Who does God think he is to tell you what is right or wrong? You know yourself and your needs better than anyone else, so decide for yourself what is right and wrong, and what you will do and what you won't. Just so long as you're happy, all's well".
Rationale: This plays well to the individualistic Western world!
But the Bible says: "Those who trust in themselves are fools." Proverbs 28 v26
It's all in the mind
The devil says: "Religion is all a trick of the mind, a mental crutch; really it's all psychological. In fact, nowadays we have therapists and the like to rid people of this kind of neurosis, and help people towards greater self-confidence and well-being."
Rationale: Replacing religion with psychology puts 'salvation' back into people's own hands.
But the Bible says: "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God". Romans 5 v6
Keep people busy
The devil says: "Keep people fed with interesting, important, good, engaging and relevant information and things to do, along with up-to-the-minute news, entertainment and hundreds, if not thousands of social network friends; then they will feel loved. Give people 24/7 access to business contacts, and then they'll feel important."
Rationale: Give them anything, just so long as they don't have time to read the Bible or pray.
But the Bible says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30 v15
All religions are the same
The devil says: "How intolerant Christians are to say Jesus is the only way to God! They need bringing down a peg or two. In these days of equal opportunities all religions deserve a level playing field. Don't they know there are sincere and good people from many other faiths?"
Rationale: We can despise the exclusive claims of Christianity - and appear to care for people of all faiths or none.
But Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14 v6
The Devil doesn't exist
The devil says: "Surely you don't believe that old nonsense about me existing? I mean, if God exists, why would he allow there to be a devil to mess things up? And if God doesn't exist, then sure as hell, neither do I. No, really, that idea is just ancient fear of the unknown, or a convenient way of blaming someone else for our own failings."
Rationale: If people don't believe in the devil, they'll be off guard.
But the Bible says: "Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 1 Peter 5v8
If heaven exists, everyone's going there; hell certainly doesn't exist
The devil says: "God's a very forgiving sort of chap; after all he made human beings and knows what they're like. And he's already done everything necessary to accept people into heaven. So you can be sure that everyone will end up there."
Rationale: Remove the fear of God's judgement or any need for repentance.
But Jesus said: "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me all you evildoers." Luke 13 v27
The real world is the material world, what we can see, touch and measure
The devil says: "Come on, you don't believe all that spiritual nonsense do you? It's time you stopped believing all that hokum and accepted that the world is what we can see, the real physical stuff under our feet and all around us. Science has explained most things and it's only a matter of time until we understand the rest; there's certainly no need to resort to a God to make everything work!".
Rationale: It's based on the lies that everything is material, and that 'God' is only that which we cannot explain.
But the Bible says: "God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth." John 4 v24
Money makes the world go round
The devil says: "We all need money. Actually, we all need a bit more money. So, if we work a bit harder and earn a bit more we'll be able to buy that item we've wanted for a while, and then we'll be happier and better able to look after ourselves and our families."
Rationale: If we can seduce much of the world into thinking that materialism is normal and good, then a lot of the planet can be trapped at one fell swoop - and all in the name of progress!
But the Bible says: "You cannot serve both God and Money" Matthew 6 v24, and "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6 v10
It's all about being good and decent
The devil says: "What we need is to be respectful of each other; everyone knows that we can do as we like so long as we don't harm others. So long as you're not a murderer or paedophile, then all will be well."
Rationale: If people merely compare themselves with each other, rather than by God's standards, they'll feel secure.
But the Bible says: "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags". Isaiah 64 v6, and "There is no-one righteous, not even one." Romans 3 v10
Sex outside marriage is normal
The devil says: "In this day and age everyone accepts that there's nothing wrong with sex - it's normal and healthy, and we shouldn't be ashamed or prudish about it. Of course we've all had a variety of sexual partners, who hasn't? In fact, the more the merrier. There's nothing wrong with me!"
Rationale: This is a particularly good way of confusing sex with love, with people ending up feeling like objects and wary of anything called love.
But the Bible says: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19 v5-6
You're worth it
The devil says: "Who does God think he is to tell you what is right or wrong? You know yourself and your needs better than anyone else, so decide for yourself what is right and wrong, and what you will do and what you won't. Just so long as you're happy, all's well".
Rationale: This plays well to the individualistic Western world!
But the Bible says: "Those who trust in themselves are fools." Proverbs 28 v26
It's all in the mind
The devil says: "Religion is all a trick of the mind, a mental crutch; really it's all psychological. In fact, nowadays we have therapists and the like to rid people of this kind of neurosis, and help people towards greater self-confidence and well-being."
Rationale: Replacing religion with psychology puts 'salvation' back into people's own hands.
But the Bible says: "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God". Romans 5 v6
Keep people busy
The devil says: "Keep people fed with interesting, important, good, engaging and relevant information and things to do, along with up-to-the-minute news, entertainment and hundreds, if not thousands of social network friends; then they will feel loved. Give people 24/7 access to business contacts, and then they'll feel important."
Rationale: Give them anything, just so long as they don't have time to read the Bible or pray.
But the Bible says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30 v15
All religions are the same
The devil says: "How intolerant Christians are to say Jesus is the only way to God! They need bringing down a peg or two. In these days of equal opportunities all religions deserve a level playing field. Don't they know there are sincere and good people from many other faiths?"
Rationale: We can despise the exclusive claims of Christianity - and appear to care for people of all faiths or none.
But Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14 v6
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