Don't You Just Hate That Old Devil!

Recently a couple and their children went on a trip with a church group. They all had a great weekend. The children played and everyone enjoyed fellowship with each other. All the participants felt blessed for a peaceful and enlightening weekend. New friendships were forged and new bonds created. But as the weekend came to an end and the families packed up to go home, the devil injected himself into their camaraderie, fellowship and all around good time. As is often the way of the devil, he sneaked in when no one was looking and convinced these people of God that much more had gone on over the weekend than the fellowship and Bible study. Before long these people carried home bad feelings, accusations and hard feelings. Then the devil injected himself in their home life causing disruption and doubt, nurturing hate and mistrust, and general discontent between family members and friends. The devil won another one.

There was a company in the area where all the staff were friendly and worked together in a cooperative and pleasant manner. Most of the staff were Christians. I know it is not correct to discuss religion in the workplace, but Christians don't have to discuss religion - they live it. Everything was going really well and progress was being made until the old devil moved in. Actions speak louder than words. The same words were being spoken, but the actions had changed. And you know, those words were spoken in a different tone, a different volume, a different look on the face from which they were spoken and everyone knew, the devil could not stand the wonderful things that had been happening. Not only did the atmosphere in the office change, the outlook of the whole company changed and there was no stopping the discontent, hatred, jealousy and accusations that now flowed from every employee. The devil won another one.

Two young men were starting a business. They had been getting small orders, but not enough to pay themselves a salary and pay the overhead too. Their start up cushion was almost gone and they had to make the decision to stay open and not draw a salary or close the doors. Just as they were about to give up, a huge order came in. Unless they worked night and day they couldn't deliver on time without hiring additional help which they could ill afford to do. They worked and worked and got the order out, but were exhausted. They made enough money to stay open for at least another year and still draw salaries for themselves. They thanked God for their good fortune as more orders started flowing into the office. The devil sneaked in and set the two men against each other. They two could not agree on anything and slowly the business collapsed. So sad that the devil won another one.

Don't you just hate that old devil!