When we consider the Fan vs. Follower tug-of-war that we deal with on a
regular basis in our lives we (or at least I) have to be reminded always the
role that Satan plays in that tug-of-war. I take encouragement from this story.
It helps to remind me that Satan has numerous tools that he could use. We just
need to remind ourselves often what great lengths he will go to in keeping us
away from being a Follower of the King instead of just a Fan of the Kingdom.
Satan’s Garage Sale ~ author unknown
Once upon a time, Satan
was having a garage sale. There, standing in little groups were all of his
bright, shiny trinkets. Here were tools that make it easy to tear others down for
use as stepping-stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying ones own
importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use
to belittle others, or even one’s self. Against the wall was the usual
assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps
and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for
your neighbor, the tools of gossip and backbiting, of selfishness and apathy.
All of these were pleasing to the eye and came complete with fabulous promises
and guarantees of prosperity. Prices, of course, were steep; but not to worry!
Free credit was extended to one and all. “Take it home, use it, and you won’t
have to pay until later!” old Satan cried, as he hawked his wares.
The visitor, as he
browsed, noticed two well-worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not
being nearly as tempting as the other items, he found it curious that these two
tools had price tags higher than any other. When he asked why, Satan just laughed
and said, “Well, that’s because I use them so much. If they weren’t so plain
looking, people might see them for what they were.” Satan pointed to the two
tools, saying, “You see, that one’s Doubt and that one’s Discouragement — and
those will work when nothing else will.”
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