Holy Spirit vs the world, the flesh and the devil
Someone cheats you:
The world: That the way the world is. Sorry loser. If you can’t beat em’ join em’.
The flesh: I am so tired and worn out from being cheated. I need a nap.
The devil: You can get it all back, just do to others as the cheat did to you. Learn to be a player and prey on the weak, the sick, the needy and those who trust you. Try not to get caught, but if you do, just ignore those suckers. They can’t do anything about it anyway.
HOLY SPIRIT: See the high value of honesty. I know the loss hurts, but I can lead you through it. Let this be a catalyst to increase your honesty because you have learned the pain of dishonesty and I will bless you.
Death comes like a thief in the night:
The world: Death is everywhere, and no one cares because they all got their own problems.
The flesh: I am so afraid of everything. There is danger everywhere. I must find a way to protect myself from death.
The devil: See how fleeting life is. Wise up, pal, and eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you will be dead.
HOLY SPIRIT: See how fleeting life is. Pray, watch with Me, do justly, walk humbly with Me each day, for tomorrow you will be in eternity.
You’re not as financially fit as you wanted to be at your age:
The world: It’s too bad your missed the whole boat. A lot of other people took advantage of all the opportunities I offered.
The flesh: I have worked till my fingers bled and still don’t have the things I want. I haven’t gotten up happy once in the last five years.
The devil: Hey loser. Look at all the stuff everyone around you has. They’re laughing at you behind your back. You’re a big nothing who’s got no legacy to leave to your children so they can remember you. You’ll be forgotten the day after you croak.
HOLY SPIRIT: I have stood next to your children as you gave to those who go out into all the world to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their hearts opened to hear My voice. I was there when you took your co-worker that pie when her husband was in the hospital, and your children learned compassion. I was there when you pushed your neighbor’s car out of that snowbank last winter, the one you argued with over the summer, and your children learned forgiveness. I was there when your lost your job and had to start all over again, and your children learned perseverance. You have given them to Him who has the keys to eternity, and will leave behind a legacy of love, compassion, forgiveness and perseverance that will never be forgotten and will give them all they need to provide for their earthly needs.
You went completely astray and now you’re sorry:
World: Tough luck. Sorry gets you nothing. You wasted all those years being drunk, drugged, stupid, out of control and now your life is a pit. Too bad, cause the world is full of people better than you, and we don’t have time for you.
Flesh: I need something to help me get through the day.
Devil: Go on, take it. No one cares about how hard you tried, and it doesn’t look like you’re getting anywhere anyway. All the good opportunities are long gone. You’ll never make it up the hill. A thousand good deeds couldn’t even begin to cancel out all the sin and shame in your sorry life.
HOLY SPIRIT: You don’t have to make it back up the hill by yourself. Jesus walked up the hill for you, and now He’s calling you to come as you are. He sent Me here to help you get up that hill. I have an idea: How about you invite Him to meet with you over coffee, just you and Him (and Me, of course) and we’ll talk things over. You can tell Him about your hopes and dreams, you can let Him know how you think there’s nothing left for you, and you can even bring up that thing, you know, that thing that you did that still haunts you and makes you want to hide from Him. He’s not just the Lord of today or tomorrow. He is also Lord of the past. Oh, and one other thing: We know how hard you’re still trying, and it does matter to Us.