This week I’ve been talking about when we try to satisfy our deepest spiritual appetites with things or people who aren’t God.
Jesus is the “bread of life” (John 6:35). He is our ultimate source of nourishment and satisfaction. So if we try to totally organize our lives around feel-good pleasures, experiences and escapes, or even a certain relationship, it’s like we are stuffing ourselves with empty calories—spiritually speaking, of course.
Today let me talk about another way some people try to fill their deep spiritual longings. And it’s not good.
Let’s call it dark power.
Some people—especially those who are new to faith—approach their spirituality like a fast-food menu. After all, that’s what they see others doing and it’s what they see on T.V. or online. They take this practice from column 1, that habit from column 2, and this idea from column 3. They construct a personalized spirituality that may not be in line with God’s will.
Let me be clear. The ultimate power in the universe is God in Christ. He has triumphed over all dark powers (Colossians 2:15). But there is still other power. It may be lesser, but it is still real. Do you remember when Jesus was in continual conflict with Satan, demons and darkness? Yeah, that.
Do not get mixed up with mediums, fortune-tellers or Ouija boards. When you do that you may be opening a doorway to the demonic. You are giving them entrance and permission to work harm and deception in your life and household. If something or someone promises to give you insight or access to the future or to the spiritual realm, and if that something or someone isn’t biblical, close the door quickly.
I realize this may be a new topic for some of you. It might even be scary. If some of you have become mixed up in this you’ll want to learn more and take corrective steps.
But the point here in this short devotional is that none of these things can satisfy our deepest spiritual longings. Just because something seems harmless, that doesn’t mean it is. Only Jesus is the way, truth and life (John 14:6).
In Colossians 1:13 Paul writes: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…”
Dark power is real. But God’s is greater. In Christ, the lights have been turned on. Let’s live like it.
Notes:
—New ARTICLE. “The difference between self-comfort and self-care and why it matters.” This is an article I wrote with therapist Sarah J Covey. It’s a tough time. After 2.5 years of a pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, non-stop news cycles and other stresses, many are gasping for air. But if you think you’re caring for yourself when you’re really just comforting yourself, you may be creating more grief than gain. Hopefully this short article offers some practical help in the right direction. Click here.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 