Inner Dialogue

There exist people in this world who, under the guise of righteousness, are put here to deceive, beguile, and harass us in the service of the Adversary. All too often they themselves have been deceived, so that they truly believe what they are doing is the "right" thing, the "Christian" thing. I recall being told by a bishop once that the Adversary can mimic all sorts of feelings and emotions, can set the stage for all sorts of actions, but the one thing he cannot create is peace. Peace in the heart. Peace in the mind. Peace in your actions towards your fellow men (and women). I believe that Satan often hides his inability to create peace in your life behind thoughts like "it's in the best interest of ... " or "I have a right to... ". Anger, indignation, hatred, jealousy, judgment, fear, entitlement, and disrespect are all weapons in the arsenal that Satan is all too willing to make available to those that succumb to the temptation, and unfortunately those who have been overtaken are often the least able to be aware of what has happened (although they are usually the first to point a finger elsewhere).

It would seem that the metric for determining what side of the battle you are on is made clear. In the words of Paul:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4: 6-9).

Only God can "keep your heart and mind" and truly know the motivations that drive people to do what they do. He knows who truly seeks peace in His service and who has been beguiled into the service of the Enemy. As time goes by, it becomes obvious that we are indeed players in an epic battle between good and evil, that this world and those that live in it are under constant assault. The closer I get to God, the more I strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, the more determined the Adversary is to bring all of the forces at his command to stand in the way. He can throw whatever (and whomever) he wants into my path, but he cannot take away the peace that I seek as long as I am aware of what is going on and turn my heart toward God. That isn't always easy, it isn't always a perfect journey, but it is the only way.