Don't Let The Devil Get A Foothold

Lies, unfettered anger, gossip, malice, hatred, bitterness, slander.

These are just some of the words that describe all manner of experiences that are as rife in the world today, as they were 2000 years ago. We only have to take a look at the news to see the unsavoury things that are happening.

Now there may be some who are thinking what’s that got to do with me? Perhaps it doesn’t, perhaps you don’t have a strong opinion on what is in the news. However, if the situation was closer to home, something that was emotive for us, then we become more invested in what’s happening.

Now I could give you a number of examples, which would most certainly push buttons for people here today, but I am not going to. In fact quite possibly, by just saying this there could be those sat among us who are already on edge.

This is what Paul is talking about in our epistle. He isn’t saying don’t be angry, he’s saying that there are times when we are going to get angry about situations that present themselves to us in life, but he is imploring us to deal with them in the proper way.

Christ teaches us how to do this in Matthews Gospel, He says Speak to the person one-to-one, confront the thing that has caused you grief and hurt, and talk it through with the person that has aggrieved you. If that doesn’t bring restoration, take others, and if all else fails tell the church as a last opportunity for reconciliation.

But what isn’t being said is if someone upsets you go and tell your friends, those who will no doubt support you and get you more agitated, to the point that this issue, which could have been easily resolved now takes on a life of its own.

What follows next is a game of Chinese whispers, the gossip that is spread is distorted away from the truth, and ultimately ends with someone getting hurt, it prevents relationships prospering, and creates unnecessary barriers, which prevent things from being accomplished, and continues to escalate out of control.

The body of Christ, the church is broken and unsurprisingly fractures begin to form which begin to hurt everyone, innocent bystanders are drawn in and whilst its easy to say that forgiveness should be given, the practicalities of achieving this become almost impossible because all that is left is a gaping hole of distrust and disharmony.

That as Paul so clearly wrote, is where we make room for the devil to get in and cause even more damage, it’s not coincidence that in John Gospel he is called ‘The Father of Lies’

But Paul, gives the Ephesians and us the antidote, be imitators of God, follow his path, his principles, if someone does you wrong, don’t berate them and tell all and sundry, we are called to love one another as Christ loves us, which means that we owe them the opportunity to be reconciled through their heartfelt apology and our forgiveness.

This is always the best way forward, and for the most part restoration is accomplished. Many comment in how the Benefice is working well together, and that many old wounds have been healed, and whilst this is good news to be celebrated, we must also remember that rot can set in again, and just as we have been working so closely together during the Pandemic, we must remember that now that we have begun the return to our three parishes, we continue to be called into closer relationship with our brothers and sisters at our sister churches.