“If I Were The Devil”

From the Original Baptist Observer July 2016 Issue

If I were the devil I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness, have 1/3 of the real estate, 4/5 of the population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had the ripest apple on the tree. So, however necessary, I’d set about to take over the United States by subverting God’s own churches with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I’d whisper the same question to you as I whispered to Eve in the garden of Eden, “Yea, hath God said?”

To the youth I’d convince them that man made God, instead of the other way around.  I’d confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is “square”. In the ears of the young married couples I’d whisper that work is debasing and cocktail parties are good for you.  To the old I’d teach to pray after this manner, “Our Father, which art in Washington…”

I’d get organized by educating authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that everything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten television with dirtier movies, and visa versa. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could by selling alcohol to people of distinction, and tranquilizing the rest with pills.

I’d soon have families, churches, and nations at war with themselves until each in their turn were consumed. With promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

I’d encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions by letting those run wild. Before you know it, you’d have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every school house door.

Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing. With flattery and promises of power, I’d get the courts to do what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography. I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts, and get the preachers to say, “She’s right.”  Thus, I could evict God from the courthouse, school house, and the Houses of Congress.

In churches, I’d substitute psychology for righteousness and deify science. I’d lure pastors and deacons into misusing boys, girls, and church money.  I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg, and Christmas a bottle. I’d take from those who have and give to those who want, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

What will you bet that I couldn’t get the whole United States to promote gam- bling as the way to get rich? I’d caution against extremes in hard work, patriotism, and moral conduct. I’d convince the youth that marriage is old fashioned, but swinging is more fun and that what you see on television is the way to be.

Thus, I could undress you in public and lure you into a bed where there are diseases for which there is no cure. Then I’d separate families by putting children in uniforms, women in coal mines, and objectors in slave-labor camps.

In other words, if I were the Devil, I’d just keep doing what he’s doing. If you asked how progress was going, here’s what I’d say: My job keeps getting easier as time slips away. I can imitate the brightest light, and make the night look just like day.  I put some truth in every lie to tickle itching ears, and draw people just like flies, because they like what they hear. I’m gaining power by the hour, and they’re falling by the score.  It’s getting very simple now, since no one believes in me any more. “Heaven is just a state of mind,” my books read on the shelf.  “Have you heard that God is dead?”  (I made that one up myself!) They dabble in magic spells, and get their fortunes read.  They’ve heard the truth, turned away, and followed me instead.

I used to have to sneak around, but now they just open their door.  They’re not watching for my tricks, since no one believes in me any more.  My job keeps getting easier as day slips into day.  The magazines and newspapers print every word I say. The world is just my spinning- top, it’s all like child’s play. I dream that it’ll never stop, but I know it’s not that way.  But still my work goes on and on, always stronger than before.  I’m gonna make it dark before the dawn since no one believes in me any more. Everyone likes a winner, so with my help you’re guaranteed to win. Hey, people, you ain’t no sinner, because you got the truth within! As your life slips by, you’ll believe a lie, that you did it on your own, but don’t worry.  I’ll be there to help you share a dark, eternal, flaming fiery home!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh      about, seeking  whom  he may devour:”