February 01, 2010
Devil's Advocate
It’s interesting that no one even raises an eyebrow when Satan’s name creeps into today’s conversation. When looking at all sides of an issue someone in a group might think of a roadblock and say, ‘Let me play devil’s advocate...’ It’s an interesting thought that the devil might need, or even want an advocate. Because of Satan’s pride, he’s probably cringing at such a suggestion, or else laughing hysterically. We also have a tendency to ‘put the devil in the details’, giving him a place of importance and of course, he’s used as an excuse for our failings. Somehow I don’t think saying, ‘The devil made me do it…’ impresses anyone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----Buzz phrases become almost like words themselves, delivering a meaning that hopefully the speaker and the hearers understand in the same way. How accurately they express the intended meaning depends upon the speaker and the hearer reflecting upon them at the same literal level. These three buzz phrases are usually meant quite casually. Yesterday, I played the devil’s advocate in Sunday school by asking questions which inferred a lack of understanding and a level of doubt about prayer that I definitely did not have. I wasn’t actually advocating the devil’s position on prayer. My intention was to stimulate and direct discussion from the other participants. The devil in the details is simply the confusing nature of details’ complexity which lends to their usefulness in deceit. And that same complexity in the details of our psychology tempts us to throw in the towel when trying to understand why we do some of the things we do. We don’t really believe the devil made us do it, but we really believe our actions leaked through our conscious control like water through a sieve. So, as long as both parties restrict their application of these buzz phrases to the same literal level, they are useful expressions.
-----Yet these expressions quite literally connote the intentions of some people, whether the phrases ring true to the substance of what they do, or not. Google “Church of Satan” and you will be presented a number of hits on the organization founded in the 1960’s by LaVey, complete with high priests, satanic bible, and all. I think it is a safe guess to figure these people intentionally advocate Satan’s ideas. And the devil’s thinking probably is in its details. But I don’t know if one can say the devil personally made LaVey form this organization and direct its activities towards his philosophies.
-----”Satan made me do it” is both interesting and scary. The Bible contains many stories of real demonic possession, the sorts that have the demons in actual control of the victims’ bodies. Although these stories strongly indicate demons in control, rather than Satan himself, the principle is the same. I believe many stories of demonic possession today are figments of overactive imagination, but some may also be very real. Out of curiosity more than anything, I like to ponder how a person might fall into such demonic subjection. Those means are certainly what I want to avoid.
-----And conversely, I think exactly the same can be said for “I was driven by the Spirit.” I believe God gives to each of us the autonomy and initiative that make us individuals. I believe He cherishes our autonomously initiated actions. I believe He intimately relates to each of us through His respect for our individuality. I trust He protects His individuals from demonic influences, in as much as we accept that protection. And I presume He desires our actions to arise from our understanding and wisdom more than He desires some kind of robotic control over us by His Spirit. Yet, if He absolutely needs some particular action, then I am sure the Spirit can make you do it.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment