SUNDAY MEDITATION by Msgr. Theo Nwalo

THE DEVIL'S "KINDNESS" (3)
(Absolutely Untrustworthy)

So far, we have seen that some people who had serious problems looked up to satan and his angels for their solution. Some others, more ambitious, avaricious ad power-hungry, also sought the devil's assistance to achieve their aims.

On his part, the devil, of course, is all too eager to take complete hold of the suppliant. The same devil will ensure that this all “important” relationship must be on the basis of contract: on the basis of give and take. This all “important” contract with the devil becomes clearer when it is seen for what it truly is, namely as a convenant. The devil as the stronger of the covenanting parties uses (rather abuses) such pre-eminent position and imposes his own terms on the victim-covenanter.

Basically, a covenant is a solemn ritual agreement binding on both parties. It involves terrible consequences upon any party that violates the agreement. In this type of agreement, the use of blood (and all it involves) is central because through it a blood relationship is established between the covenanting parties. Through it the parties have become “one blood”, one life, one family. Yes “the plot thickness”. Remember, that “blood is thicker than water”.

Another aspect of the sealing of a covenant is the ritual meal. Through it, the parties seal their union and bind themselves under pain of terrible punishment to religiously abide by the terms of the covenant. When all is said and done, the efficacy of the agreement is based on TRUST: on the truthfulness of the covenanting parties. You do not eat and drink with your enemy. You do not even share meal with those you suspect. On the order hand, you heartily share and drink with friends and well-wishers. Even when former enemies share meals and drink together, it signals the end of enmity and the beginning or restoration of friendship. Above all, it signals trust. Each is thereby disposed to live, share and interact with the other without fear of harm.

Through history, God has on several occasions covenanted and renewed same with his people. Though He is the superior of the two parties, his terms of the covenant were always, and still are, in favour of the weak human covenanters. “Worship me and observe my laws. They are for your own good. In return, I will be your greatest benefactor. I will eventually bring you up to my abode to enjoy eternal happiness with me. Even if things appear contradictory, you must still trust me. I will never lie to you. To assure you of this, I am ready to (and I will do it) sacrifice My Most Beloved Son as the blood covenant”. To further assure the weaker party of His (God's) truthfulness, God even swore an oath by himself as the highest authority through whom any oath can be taken (cf. Hebr. 6:13-19). In fulfillment of this, God gave up His only Son. And so, the blood of Christ is the Blood of the New and Eternal Covenant (cf. Lk. 22:20). God has always fulfill, and forever will fulfilled, His own side of the covenant.

On the suppliant's (weak human's) side, the fulfillment has been a mixed bag. God has always reproached them for their breach of the covenant. Nevertheless, His mercy has always triumphed over the just punishment deserved for such violations.

As for satan and his messengers, they have always been at work to wean man away from faith and hope in God and to conversely, turn man's attention to himself (satan) as the master of all things. He wants the victim-covenanter to see him (the devil) as the truth to be believed, the way that must be followed, the real provider of all that can make “life more abundant.” Come to think of it, the covenant with God stands in sharp contrast with that of the devil. While Christ presents himself to be eaten by us so that we may have eternal life, the devil, on the other hand, baits us into being eaten by him so that we may die eternal death. Got the message?

This is why he told Adam and Eve that they would be like God if only they ignored God's instructions and obeyed his (the devil's) directives. Through this, he pulled a super “419” on them. The effects of their trust in the devil have ever been with us, and will continue to be with mankind till the end of time. (cf. Gen 3: 16-19).

Later, he tried the same tricks on Christ, but Jesus put the tempter in its rightful place. “Depart, satan….” (Matt. 4: 1-10). Christ warned his followers that satan would come into their midst in deceitful outward signs. He warned that the devil is the father of lies and a murderer (cf. Jn. 8:44). Therefore, those who adhere to satan and follow his ways will be deceived. Secondly, they like their father and mentor (the devil) will become liars and murderers. Lastly, they themselves will eventually be destroyed.

In the ritual covenant, the devil, the master of lies, will strictly observe whatever suits his evil plans and whatever will hasten, and eventually ensure the eternal damnation of the victim-covenanter. The rest are all lies and super “419” tricks. Do not for one moment forget that satan is the inventor of “419”. His intelligence and resources to upgrade his”419” tactics are far greater than those of his clients. For any client, any human being to believe and hope that he is going into it to pull a fast one on the Grand Master of “419” is one of the greatest of self deceptions. Dealing with the devil on the natural or supra-natural plane, is a sure way of handing the victory over to him. And these are precisely the levels on which he devises and insists human beings deal with him. But he will be soundly defeated if he is confronted on the supernatural level, when the individual allies himself with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who base their faith and hope on satan do so on a very powerful being who unfortunately is incapable of doing any real good to any and all of his adherents. Because of this, any favour (no matter how glamorous or tantalizing) gained through or with the assistance of the devil, is no more than the bait dangling on the fishing hook; no more than the piece of fish on the mouse trap.

The devil may indeed cure your headache, but he will extort some high fees for it. Because of his inability to wish or do any real good to anyone, the devil will insist that such a client be beheaded. The devil's clients obtain relief for sore thumbs but eventually get amputated. That is the simple truth. Satan can never do otherwise.

It is generally said that he who wishes to dine with the devil must use a long spoon. This is both erroneous and most dangerous. Here satan is out again with his super 419 trick. He will do his utmost to convince one to fashion a spoon long enough to safely dine with him (satan). But the truth is that no spoon has ever been fashioned, nor can any be fashioned that is long enough for someone to safely dine with the devil.

It cannot be repeated often enough that the devil can never do anything that is really good for anybody, no matter how friendly the devil appears to be. No matter how glamorous, how glorious, how envious; no matter how lucrative, how soothing, how blissful such favours appear, they are aimed at one thing and one thing only: the eternal destruction of the unfortunate client.

Please keep posted. May God bless you.