The church was dark but the pews were filled. No, these pews did not contain those who called themselves members of this congregation. The attenders tonight were the demons who had kept this church under their master's control.
Tonight's meeting was very special. It was awards night and the master himself had come. Each one was hoping that his efforts will be rewarded. Deceit sat on the back row. Greed roamed the crowd. Lust perused a slutty magazine. Gambling was wagering his chances of winning an award. Each of the demons had made gains in the church this past year. This had become their church. They were proud of it.
Once this church was a challenge for any of the demons to corrupt. It's pastor had been a praying man. He led the congregation to pray. They had called upon God to lead and protect the church. God had sent His choice angels to battle the demons. They had fled in defeat many times. It seemed they would never get a foothold.
The master came to the pulpit. The murmur that filled the room stopped as if one were turning off a light. There was no sound system yet the master's voice boomed. "Tonight, we honor the one who has made all of you a success. This church belonged to the Unspoken Name before he arrived. He worked silently. He worked steadily. He opened the doors for all of you."
Each of the demons sat closer to the edge of their seats. Each one wanted the accolades this honored one would receive. Each one was hoping his name would be called. Each one believed he had been the reason for all their successes.
"This one has used the phrase," the master continued, "'you must love yourself first or you can't love others' to its fullest advantage."
Absolute Lies who was sitting close to the back sneered and whispered, "Yeah, but there is some truth in that!" His disdain for the truth could be felt as he seemed to have trouble pronouncing the word.
The master, whose hearing was supernatural, raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Absolute Lies. "The best lies contain some truth. Never forget that a partial truth is still a complete lie." Absolute Lies slid down in his seat. He didn't want any further rebuke from the master. He knew that there was no mercy in the master.
"No, the one we honor tonight interchanges truth with lies so beautifully that even the grandest of the saints fails to see what he is doing. This honored one took this praying pastor and corrupted him. He infiltrated the leadership of the church when all others' efforts failed. I want each of you to stand and give your applause in praise of the one to whom we owe our success."
There was a long pause. No one stood as yet because each one believed that he was the honored one.
The master took a deep breath. He let the words roll from his lips. The words being spoken like the announcer at a boxing match, "Are you ready to rummmmble?" Each demon smiled. Each one prepared to accept the award.
"This year's award goes to . . . Selfishness!"
Silence invaded the room. Each demon sat without moving, without breathing. The glare of the master roared. Fear was the first to stand. Cowardice followed. Soon all the demons thunderously applauded. It wasn't respect. It was an obligation.
Selfishness sauntered to the pulpit. He had been sitting on the front row. There had been no anxious moments for him. He knew he would win the award. He had done so many times before.
Envy, Selfishness' mate, was so proud. She knew he couldn't have done it without her.
James 3:14-16 (NIV)
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
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