When we act in ways that we ourselves feel to be wrong, we do serious damage to our soul. I am not here thinking about acts that are serious or illegal, but rather the moment-by-moment small actions, the words we utter that we know are unjust, hurtful, not quite true or are one-sided or self-serving.
We are all familiar with such behaviour, so why is this anything other than a simple description of 'normal life'? Where is the danger to our soul?
When we do what we ourselves know to be wrong, even by some small measure, then we begin to distrust ourselves, to know ourselves as deceitful people, sometimes unkind or even cruel, liars; we begin to despise ourselves.
If we do something to put the matter right - for example, by apologising and making serious amends - then we may regain our footing, at least for a while. But where we do not put matters right, then we are on a very slippery slope indeed. While initially our conscience speaks to warn us of the danger, we quickly acclimatise to small deceits, then to greater ones, and then see all such behaviour as 'just normal'. Our conscience is first drowned out, then anaesthetised, then broken.
Soon all trust is gone, in ourselves and others; we expect nothing better than half-truth from politicians, deception from advertisers and the media, money-grabbing by those who are selling, and self-interest from all others, including ourselves. We look back with faint amusement at 'old-fashioned honesty' - that innocent and naive quality of yesteryear that no longer fits our sophisticated and complicated world; a world in which all kinds of deception and perversion are not just normal, but valid expressions of oneself and are to be accepted, and even admired or encouraged.
We have drowned out conscience, redefined bad as good and begun to believe in it, made ourselves impervious to truth, felt pride in our 'broadmindedness', and left ourselves dead.
Ignoring our conscience, even in small matters, is very serious indeed. And there is no way back ...
... except by submitting to the Truth*.
* see the Bible, John 14v6
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lies. Show all posts
Thursday, 22 August 2013
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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