I have something to say because...I've been thinking;
1 Kings 19:11-13
So, at work, the television has gone out; not working. I had come to the point of watching a prominent financial network to keep up with the news of the market. Then some time before finishing my lunch break I check a few websites to look at my investments. But now, no television - what to do?
At first it was to sit in silence (my work hours are such that I eat alone - it's okay). (Enter still small voice) Then the thought occurred to me, "I could read a chapter in the Bible!" I started with 1st Peter, which has five chapters, over the course of the week; then 2nd Peter; have you ever read 2nd Peter? Three chapters full of so much doctrine it will keep you busy for two months of Sundays.
On three occasions as I shared what I had read I found myself reaching an almost fevered pitch of preaching the Word! "'...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,' His divine power has granted us what? Everything pertaining to life. But how do we get that? 'through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.'...so notice in verse 3 and verse 8 he says true knowledge twice!'"
Okay, a lot is lost in this rendition through the written word verses being there. I was energized by what I was reading. So, there is a "checklist" of (strike that), an inventory of behaviors to help us develop in our walk, stuff to look out for like false teachers and the devil. I find myself thinking, "I don't hear anyone preach on this." Certainly I don't catch every single sermon, but in all the years I've gone to worship services and Sunday schools and Bible studies, I don't remember hearing this.
So, this morning I go to YouTube and look it up. There's the usual listing of audio posts of the reading of the book. Then I find Daniel Fusco, Pastor of Crossroads Community Church. Has a message on 2 Peter 1:1-11. He opens with an account of how he and his wife were going on vacation and sharing how he was thinking back about why he needed a vacation so badly. The tentacles of technology, that ping of a tome that says, "Somebody wants me!" (my words, not his). The Instagram, the Snapchat, the texting back and forth; as he was pointing this out it hit me. Satan has a still small voice also. How quickly our attention is snatched away when we hear the ping of notification that someone wants to communicate with us.
Before I go further, texting is not a sin, receiving an e-mail is not of the devil, and demons don't leave voicemails. The devils influence (because it's not power we're talking about) is so subtle; we don't even make it challenging when it comes to where we give our attention. This is an, "If the shoe fits" commentary and I speak to myself also. For a portion of my day, and depending on circumstances at home, my phone is off at work (yes, cell phone have a power button). The government has done studies on lost productivity due to substance use, even after such events as the Super Bowl; what about the gambit of social media options. For believers in Jesus Christ we are to do our work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), as well as, not gossip (the Bible list 8 types of gossip in 26 verses).
The still small voice of satan? Next time you're doing something, like at work or driving, and you hear the ping of notification what compels you to respond? Can you do it? Can you not respond when you don't have to?
Till next time, can any one hear me?
