"YOU KNOW WHO" is attacking!

Saturday morning I sat and listened to a devotion as the leader was complaining about "The Devil". "He'll attack us b/c we are doing things for Jesus!" Monday I spoke with a close brother in the Lord who lives out his faith slightly different than those of us at The Riv. While speaking he told me of how he and his wife were visited by two young mothers, both in their early twenties. They were talking about children when this friend of mine turned the conversation to "spiritual" things (his words). The older couple had just met one of the young ladies (and they are Grand Parents in law to the other). She had been in their apartment for 15 minutes. Upon the sudden transition in conversation she insisted she needed to go immediately to tend to her daughter. My old friend said "The enemy was thwarting what God was trying to do". Another long time friend I have frequently attributes just about every little frustration to mmmmmmmmmmm could it be "SATAN" (said in the church lady voice:) ) ? Whatever the devil is or isn't, I don't pretend to have figured it out. I know growing up he (satan) was real in my belief system. It seemed imperative for him to be. Whether or not scripture intends for us to be aware of a real "figurative" lion roaring about seeking to devour "christians" and potential candidates for "the sinners prayer" or not- doesn't seem to be an issue of primary importance to me at this time in my life. One thing I know is that people are more than wicked enough often, to account for all that is wrong with the world. Whatever the devil is, it seems that in the old Hebrew story, he?/she?/he-she?/other(s.....inside family joke)? this devil lost out on the Heavenly Kingdom b/c it wanted to take the place of God in receiving honor, glory, and worship. It wanted to be higher than God in glory. So, wouldn't it be congruent with those who Love Jesus to NOT give this enemy CREDIT for things it may or may not have anything to do with? In addition to this possible unintended worship, it seems also plausible that attributing things to it, removes not only potential fault on ourselves, but lends itself not even considering if we are in the wrong.................. I desire to witness to a young lady of who Jesus is, but she has had countless bad experiences of judgmental "christians" telling he of her evils of mothering a bastard child. Perhaps she isn't convinced I love her, and that my motives are less than pure. Perhaps a pastor, deacon, or another church leader abused her, and I don't know that b/c I haven't taken the time to "LISTEN" to her. (Listening is fresh in my mind both b/c we are reading James this month at the riv, and I am discussing the verse on "be quick to hear" this Sunday). Perhaps, I mean JUST MAYBE, he sudden desire to leave has something to do with me? What if THE ENEMY has nothing to do with it all. What if I'm the enemy of my own spiritual desires? How would we consider that if we jump to "It's the enemy"? What if we Christians began to consider others? What if we actually took time to listen to where people have been, their personal story (instead of assuming they're all the same.......birth, sin, wicked action, need 3-5 point gospel presentation)? What if we, like the Paul of the bible we love to quote so often- we departed to people not only the gospel, but our very own souls (1 Thess 2:8...which seems to be the FULL gospel!). What if we were quick to hear, sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow to speak, and slow to anger (at the damned Devil...b/c after all we may be our own enemy)? What if Christians acted like Jesus? WOW! What a wonderful world this would become! I am sure that I am an enemy to my own desire in this. I am positive someone will read this as unloving, and they are right in large measure b/c I am ever so slowly growing into the image of Jesus. I confess that. I have been guilty of everything I admonish here, and still am. And I am sure the devil has little (unless I am in some way it) to do with my wickedness. I am no victim, i am simply a muddy, marred, fading image of the ONE (JESUS) who created me and this whole world- slowly, painfully slowly, being redeemed-Created ANEW! My hope, my prayer is that I, as messed up as i am, be submissive to my King, to his community, and those God graces me to live near. God forgive me please for my quick mouth, slow ears, snap judgements, and often being an enemy to the Cross that bore my sin. Thanks for not being like me Jesus-I'm really glad you aren't. Passionately Dreaming and Aspiring to be "An Afflux of Authentic Life" that is found in Jesus- s