"You can't trust anybody."

The expression "You can't trust anybody" sounds a bit cynical, stated so baldly. But from some points-of-view, it is simply realistic. On the one hand, each of us has hidden depths in our psyche; on the other hand, we don't know what we are going to do in a strange situation till we have been in it.

In putting the Gospel onto action Jesus lived out this principle. We are told: "Jesus knew all people and did not trust himself to them." (Jn 2:24)

Whatever our hidden weaknesses are, when we put the Gospel into action, we are likely to be tested by Satan. Jesus was aware that even his closest follower, Simon Peter, could falter during such testing; so he prayed for him: 'Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail; and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.' (Lk 22:32)

A cynical expression? Maybe, maybe not. But certainly, we have good reasons to watch out for and to pray for one another.

Contest

The devil said, ‘I will give you all these (kingdoms of the world), if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘ Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one you must worship, him alone you must serve.’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels appeared and looked after him. (Mt 4:9-11)
What are we fighting?
How do we win?

*****
Our group was a little confused by the photograph to start off will. Some thought that the boxer delivering the knockout punch represented Satan because of the tattoo on his arm. Looking back at the Gospel text, in which Jesus delivered the winning punch, it became clear who represented who in the photo.

It was quickly noted, in our discussion that "Satan is very bold" with his testing of Jesus. And he is very bold with his influence on Western Society.

When we looked at 'What are we fighting?' we said that Satan is behind such things as freemasonry, the New Age Movement, radical feminist politics and the emasculating of the Church. The discussion moved to the influences behind international economics and politics, since Satan claims that kingdoms are his to give to those who worship him. This influence can be seen in the architecture of the Israeli Supreme Court.

Like Jesus, the way we knock him out is by worshipping God and not swerving from God's service.

Following Jesus

“If anyone wants to be a disciple of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it”
(Mark 8:34-35)
Where is Jesus leading us today?
What am I putting aside?

*****

Members of our group quite liked the picture, a rocky road leading somewhere!
Triggered by the word "wants", it was noted that God places in our hearts the desire to follow Jesus.
It is both a daily operation and yet there is a bigger perspective because it is 'for Christ's sake.'
Being a group of guys, we felt that we were being led to confront New Age thinking in the world and emasculated thinking in the Church!