“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”1
In the book The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis, a devil briefs his demon nephew, Wormwood, in the subtleties and techniques of tempting people. Through the letters the devil says that the objective is not to make people wicked but to make them indifferent. Satan cautions Wormwood that he must keep the patient comfortable at all costs. If he should start thinking about anything of importance, encourage him to think about his luncheon plans and not to worry so much because it could cause indigestion.
And then the devil gives this instruction to his nephew: “I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job, my dear Wormwood, is to provide me with people who do not care.”2
And perhaps, just perhaps, Wormwood is having profound success among far too many Christians in the West today, for only a small percentage give of their time, their talents, and their tithe to God for his work on earth—and even fewer give or do anything for world missions and for reaching the lost around the world with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ.
And so the devil is still delighted with the work of Wormwood.
Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please forgive me for and deliver me from the sin of indifference and that of not caring for the needs of the destitute and the homeless, the persecuted church in other lands, and my lost neighbors across the street and around the world. Please help me to love you and to love others as you loved and gave yourself for me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
1. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV).
2. From Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com.
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