Hovering
By Elizabeth Cole
…he was a
murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in
him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the
father of lies.
John
8:44 (NIV)
Remember this? A darling yellow bear covered in mud floats near
a “honey tree” suspended by a blue balloon. In his iconic voice, he sings:
I'm just a little
black rain cloud
Hovering under
the honey tree
I'm only a
little black rain cloud
Pay no
attention to little me (1)
Winnie the Pooh is convinced that if he can disguise himself
well enough, he’ll be able to deceive the bees and get his furry little hand
into their hive to steal sweet honey…a single-minded goal of his. Makes me
smile as Christopher Robin joins in the ruse, remarking, “Tut, tut. Looks like
rain!”
Here’s what doesn’t make
me smile: A spiritual enemy who adopts the exact same ploy. He or his demons
hover near, disguised as harmless - - speaking lies, intending to steal…all the
while singing, “pay no attention to little me.”
Scripture identifies Satan as a deceiver from beginning to end
in Scripture. He appears in the Garden and deceives Adam and Eve with a lie
intended to steal trust and pure relationships. All the way to his near-end
appearance where he is deceiving the nations. Disguised as an angel of light,
one of his goals is to lead us “astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion
to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3,14).
Simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. The Greek word for
“simplicity” refers also to “sincerity, freedom from hypocrisy,” and is used
biblically as part of the phrase “singleness of heart.” The Father of Lies intends to do
all that he can to move us toward a divided heart, toward hypocrisy…to steal
away our pure devotion to Jesus.
Be clear, however. The God-Who-Cannot-Lie has given us all that
we need to burst that black little rain cloud of deception. God gives us His
own armor to combat the lies, and provides spiritual weapons that have divine
power. Jesus - - the Way, the Truth and the Life - - came to destroy the works
of the devil (2). What’s more, we have the Spirit of Truth within us, guiding us
into all truth (3).
No reason to play into the ruse today. No deceiver need ever
steal your sweet, pure devotion to Jesus. You stand firm today.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Where do you see the deceiver attempting to divide your heart?
2.
How would a renewed commitment to prayer impact your devotion to
Jesus?
FURTHER READING:
Elizabeth is a wife and mother of three grown daughters; a
mother-in-law to two sons. She is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.
(2)
1 John
3:8
(3)
John 16:13
