Dancing With The Devil (Part 1)

Surprised are you? About the title I mean. We’ve all been caught up with dance crazes from long ago and many people frowned upon the types of dances from back then the same way we do now. However much I love dancing, this is really not about a new dance craze; it’s about the dance craze that most people do until they come to the realization that this dance—is one we should all sit out—becoming a wall-flower in the dance-hall of life.

James tells us to, “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us,” (4:7). So, if that’s true, why do so many people think that they can entertain the devil and escape the consequences that are bound to result from being around him?

Perhaps, I’m being too subtle. We engage in a dance with the devil when—we think we can “try” drugs and escape addiction. We think we can be “sexually promiscuous” and escape the consequences of our actions—unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, damaged self-esteem, and negative labelling by others. We think we can “listen to peers” especially children and disrespect parents and other adults without dealing with the consequences that could end up in locked out of a home and locked into a system that does nothing to promote well-being. We think we can “hang out” with the dope dealers and not get burned when they do. We think we can “steal our way” out of poverty only to discover that theft is not the way when we get caught and go to jail. We think we can “outsmart” parents and the law until we see our faces plastered on social networks or the news—on the most wanted criminal postings.

Anytime, we think we can do wrong and get away it—we’re dancing with the devil leading us into darkness and possible death. We must remember that the devil—that master of deception and father of liars—gets his kicks from seeing us getting into hot water with no way out of it. He laughs at the follies of his followers, cheering them on from the sidelines—showing them how to get swallowed up into the pit in which they have fallen.

Think about the people who believe that gambling is a way out of debt. The devil is leading this dance all the way to the poor house or suicide. He encourages the loser to try, “just more time” and then sits giggling hysterically when they lose even more. He loves to watch how they scramble trying to manipulate others into letting them have more money to lose and some resort to stealing because they believe—they need just more try.

Think about the people who live in abusive situations in which the devil manipulates the abuser and the abused. He convinces the abuser to keep abusing in order to control others, but then he also convinces the abused to believe the abuser when they apologize, beg for forgiveness and then they stay—for more abuse.

 

Stay tuned for Part 2–tomorrow! In the meanwhile, I hope your dance card–has been tossed aside–never to be used again.

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What Will Your Reward Be?

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done” (Matthew 16:27 NIV).

Most people like getting rewarded for doing good things, accomplishing goals, or just for being recognized for any achievement–Olympians, Athletes, Actors, Singers, Dancers, everyone.

Children like getting rewards for good behavior; students like getting rewards for good grades, attendance, and other accomplishments–especially extra curricular activities. Employees like getting rewards for a job well done. Businesses like getting rewards for providing great products and services. Consumers even like getting rewards where they frequently patronize a business. I love my rewards cards. Rewards–are a great thing to get–for doing the right thing.

But when we look at this passage of scripture, we see that “each person” will be rewarded according to what they have done. This reward will not be for those who did good or the right thing, but each person–based upon what they did. Does that mean that a reward can have a negative connotation? It would appear so, since we know that not everyone has reached a place where they have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior and they surely have not all lived according to God’s Word.

In light of this thought (in line with The Word), think about what your reward might be. Some will receive a variety of crowns for living according to God’s Word and doing His will instead of their own thing. Some will receive their mansions. Some will hear, “Well done!” and others–well, only God knows what their reward will be since He has the final say on that day of judgment.

I’m not waiting until then to hope for a reward for living right–I’m living right, now–and thereby assuring my rewards–according to all God has said. This does not mean that I have reached perfection, but it does mean I actually think about what I do before I do and usually, I do what is expected of me. Sometimes, it takes a little longer for me to do it, but eventually, I get it done.

What about you? Are you sure you know what your reward will be? If not, you can be sure by getting into The Word and living a life that’s pleasing to God! The rewards on earth and in heaven are worth it! Try it–you’ll see! Great is the faithfulness of The Lord to fulfill His promises to all who love and obey Him! Hallelujah!