But I have to be careful with it.
Because, like Eve in the garden, I can talk my way into believing all sorts of things.
Sure, Jesus probably wouldn’t watch this movie. But it’s a way to spend time with my husband and wouldn’t Jesus focus on relationship and want me to strengthen my marriage?
It’s a slippery slope.
A Better Question
So I’ve begun asking myself “What does Satan want?”
I may have difficulty discerning what Jesus would do, but I can easily determine what Satan wants.
A fellow Christian confronts me on Facebook about a contested piece of theology. Do I set her straight or let it go?
What would Jesus do?
- He was forthright — even dogmatic — about the Pharisees’ misinterpretations of God’s viewpoint.
- But he also offered grace without condemnation to those who sinned the most.
I’m not certain what Jesus would do in this situation.
What does Satan want?
- Would he love it if I spewed self-righteousness all over my Facebook page? Yes!
- Does he enjoy seeing God’s children arguing and not showing love among themselves? Yes!
- On the other hand, would he be ecstatic if I kept my mouth shut about God’s truth? Yes!
- Or even fudged it a little to make it more palatable? Yes!
Certainly, Jesus would not shy away from proclaiming the truth, and we shouldn’t either. But are we proclaiming it in a way that makes Satan happy? Then we need to rethink our approach.
A Game-Changer
Prayerfully ask this simple question — What does Satan want in this situation? — to spur processing of the issue at a deeper level.
Not sure whether to say yes or no to a new opportunity?
Does Satan want you so focused on your current worldly activities that you think you have no time to help others? Or does he want your schedule so jam-packed (even with ministry activities) that you grump and grouch at your family?
Your circumstances are unique and may lead to a different answer to the question than someone else’s. But we know what Satan wants.
- He wants disharmony and hatred.
- He wants us to gloss over God’s truth.
- He wants us to make our decisions independent of God.
- He wants us to value our selves over our marriages.
- He wants us to downplay evil as often as we can.
Although I sometimes don’t know what Jesus would do, asking what Satan wants adds perspective.
It reminds my tired self to patiently talk with my son about some of his questions, but also to reintroduce the conversation the next day when I’m rested.
It tells me that Satan is the one who thinks watching violent or inappropriate movies together strengthens a marriage, not God.
It helps me tone down my social media responses, when I remember to ask the question.
And most important, it prompts me to avoid black-and-white thinking on controversial topics. Should I give money to the young man begging on the street corner? What does Satan want? He wants to keep that man in ruins, and he wants to harden my heart.
Perhaps it’s not about the money. Maybe I’ve been asking the wrong question all along.
Spend the next two days asking yourself, What does Satan want? I bet you’ll be surprised how your perspective changes!
Photo Credit: TraySee Flickr via Compfight cc
***
This article originally appeared at KendraBurrows.com.
