Continue reading “Day 54: Temptation”And lead us not into temptation.
Matthew 6:13a
My Dear Headmaster,
I am flattered and humbled to find that my proposed curriculum has attracted much attention, even so much as to pique the interest of Screwtape himself. I am proud to say that these methods have yielded excellent results in America, and I believe they would prove useful in training up our youth at Underworld University. Allow me to highlight the core classes and summarize each of them briefly for your consideration. I have thousands of success stories to back the effectiveness of these techniques, and I would be happy to appear before the committee to present the ideas personally. Paired with other standard core classes such as Complacency and Entitlement, I assure you, these make a deadly combination that many in the Enemy’s clutches cannot resist. So without further ado, here are my recommendations.
If one is to believe everything one sees about Jesus, one might come away with some very dangerous views about Him. Take, for example, the picture above, citing definitive “proof” from the Bible that Jesus supports the homosexual lifestyle. I’ve heard people make the assertion that Jesus overturned the moneychangers’ tables in the temple to fight economic injustice. I once read a pamphlet that portrayed Jesus as a dualist when He says, “I and the Father…” In my recent blog about the women’s march, more than one person challenged my “narrow-mindedness” by claiming that Jesus would have marched beside those women in support of women’s rights in America. And when all else fails, there’s always the “Judge not, lest ye be judged” card people can play to tell others, in effect, to mind their own business. The problem with all of these claims, however, is that they are blatantly untrue.
It’s that time of the year again. This week we transition from the happy and joyful seasons of Christmas and Epiphany into the long, somber season of Lent. There are no more alleluias for six weeks. The hymns are more haunting, both in the words and in the music itself. We have midweek services that are reflective. Our focus is on the cross at the end, on Good Friday, where it all culminates. You will be reminded again and again that Jesus died for you. This is quite true, but I have news for you. That’s not all. Yes, Jesus died for you, but He also lived for you.
“My hair has always been unruly. I can’t keep it under control for anything. I guess that’s my cross to bear…
“My complexion is terrible. I still break out like I’m a teenager! It’s the cross I have to bear…”
“I’d love to be able to have a deep, meaningful conversation with my husband, but he’s so private I can barely get a word out of him. Must be my cross to bear…”
Have you heard statements like these? I have. I’m sure I’ve even made such frivolous statements before. In our society, “bearing one’s cross” has come to mean putting up with something that’s irritating or annoying, as in the examples above. But what does it really mean?
TruthNotes 