Astray.

The truth is that Satanism hidden in our popular culture is leading everyone astray.

They tell you to indulge in bodily pleasures, to endorse obsession and addiction, to hate, to chase after fame and fortune, to think of the devil as lucky and successful, to worship money, and to rely on materialism..... 

These things will not lead to the happiness they promise.

They lead to emptiness, burn-out, alienation, delusion, and suicide.

They are malicious lies and falsehoods.

And they display the flames of hell.

Those who push these things are betraying you.

They want your soul in hell.

And they think that the sins they sell will get you there.

They think that the devil will reward them with fame, fortune, and a rock star reception.

But there is no devil in reality.

So their hope is a delusion.

But the damage they do remains.

And we suffer for it.

Photo Credit: preachitteachit.org

Jonah.

In church we have been studying the Book of Jonah.

Jonah was sent to prophesy to the wicked city of Nineveh via a boat trip in the opposite direction and three days in the belly of a whale.

I wondered what the wickedness of Nineveh was.

And I found later in the text: "All shall turn from their evil ways and the violence that is in their hands."  Jonah 3:8 (NRSV)

And: "people who do not know their right hand from their left."  Jonah 4:11 (NRSV)

So the sins of Nineveh were violence and ignorance.

And these are problems in our world today.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Educaion of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: ancientpages.com

Love.

There is a part of you that cannot be touched by what you have thought or what you have done.

This is your inner child, your soul, that is the Divine Spark within you.

And because this soul is in essence Divine it is entirely good because God is entirely good.

This is your true self, and it is good.

It is descended from God, and it is immortal.

It is the part of you that loves, and that love is infinite.

For love is the inmost nature of God.

And love is the universal panacea.

Photo Credit: You Tube.

Money.

Jesus said: "'No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money (sic).'"  Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

Many Christians rationalize their love of money by practising what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "Cheap Grace".

That is accepting the blessings of God and Jesus but not making any changes to their behavior.

They merely behave as everyone around them behaves - and that is to accumulate money and possessions.

This is their security; not the security of trust in the Love of God.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: vecteezy,com

Fear.

The bane of Christianity is fear.

All the force and violence and finger-pointing that Christians do is caused by fear.

Fear of God and fear of Satan.

But we have nothing to fear from God.

God loves us.

He does not punish us and He does not judge us.

And in the end perhaps Satan does not exist.

There is enough fear and evil in humanity to explain our experiences; there does not need to be some supernatural being directing it.

And so we can let go of our fear.

And we can express our love.

Photo Credit: centerbarnsteadcc.org

Hidden Evil.

We think that we are enlightened and aware.

But evil is present and active in our daily lives.

It is hidden.

It lurks in rock music and videos, in movies, novels, TV, and sports.....

It appears in advertising.

It turns us to darkness, hatred, and evil.

It sells selfishness and hedonism.

It induces addiction, obsession, and indulgence.

These things do not bring happiness.

They serve money and evil.

They invoke the flames of hell.

So open your eyes and your mind.

But most of all open your heart.

Photo Credit: imdb.com

Counterplay.

What then must we do?

To counteract the corrupting and deceiving voices in our popular culture we must cultivate virtues and principles in line with the goodness of God.

These include non-materialistic values like: generosity, charity, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, non-violence, and unconditional love.

We must turn away from death and darkness and seek Light, Life, and Love. 

Rock music is the devil's music.

So listening to sacred classical music will help.

Addictions to sports, gambling, and sex can be countered by volunteering and moderation.

Studying scripture and prayer connect us with the Divine that is the source of Light, Life, and Love.

Sincerity and integrity will lead you to the Living God.

And He will show you His Salvation!

Photo Credit: freepik.com