| Sunny Side Up Nov. 2, 2005 �Kathleen Gibson 2005 The Devil's Beatitudes Said a junior demon to the devil, one wicked day, "The Christians' playbook warns about imposters in Christ's church. Teach me to know those who make plays for our side." So the devil cast one baleful eye on the church nearest him and gleefully began reciting�. "Blessed are the prideful; they'll never be effective servants. Blessed are the 'too busy'; they'll reap no harvest. Blessed are the complainers; they create discontent. Blessed are the controllers, for they restrict the Holy Spirit. "Blessed are the perfectionists; they don't allow others to develop their gifts. Blessed are the hypocrites, for they turn away seekers. Blessed are the critical; they foment disunity. Blessed are the lazy, for they'll never grow the church. "Blessed are the over-committed; they flicker and burn out quickly. Blessed are the overly sensitive; they seldom stick around long enough to make a difference. Blessed are the uncommitted; they foster indifference. "Blessed are the unforgiving; God can't forgive them either. Blessed are the inhospitable; a Christian's dining table is one of God's best workplaces. Blessed are the perpetually 'successful'; they eventually forget who made them that way. Blessed are the ungrateful; they don't tell others how God provides. "Blessed are the selfish; they block God's generosity. Blessed are the stodgy traditionalists; they keep the church uninviting and stale. Blessed are the self-confident; they never ask for God's help. Blessed are the highly intellectual; many either complicate or drop faith. "Blessed are the comfortable; they don't know how to trust God. Blessed are the gloomy, they emanate discouragement. Blessed are the unconvinced; they thin out the gospel. Blessed are the church-hoppers; they're not dependable. "Blessed are those who ignore children; they stamp their church with an expiry date. Blessed are those who crave praise; they are their own gods. Blessed are those who don't pray, they are easily toppled. Blessed are those who don't study their Bibles; they are easily deluded. "Blessed are those who pile up possessions; they have no room for spiritual riches. Blessed are those who watch too much TV; they kill time that God could use. Blessed are those in debt; they feel excused from helping others in need. The Devil looked at the junior demon, and added, "I've saved the best till last�" "Highly blessed are those who don't really believe in me - they fear neither God nor hell." Respond Home |
 |