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Devil’s Food Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (preface: in order for these meditations to have real meaning, it is always assumed that you will read the cited scripture passage. In so doing, you will add your own interpretation and understanding, which may well differ from mine.) I love chocolate. Then again, who doesn’t? I love devil’s food cake. I can hear it now: Guess what – our pastor loves devil’s food! I admit it doesn’t sound quite right, but it’s the truth. Chocolate tempts me in virtually all forms – cheesecake, snickers bars, pudding, ice cream (Breyers chocolate - I can almost taste it as I write!), etc, etc. I used to raid Dottie’s pantry looking for those chocolate chips used for baking cookies. Eventually Dottie just gave in and bought me my own packages, which I would devour in no time. So there you have it – my confession about one of my (many) weaknesses, temptations, sins of gluttony. It is just one small way in which I make room for the devil (4:27) Trust me, there are other ways in which I do so, and ways of greater consequence than the excessive consumption of chocolate. Listen to the words of Paul as he speaks to us. Could they possibly be more relevant and timely, though written some 2,000 years ago? The Christian community at large would do well to digest these words, over and over and over again. When Paul writes: do not let the sun go down on your anger (4:26), he is speaking about love and forgiveness, is he not? Words of division and undisguised hatred spew forth from “Christian” leaders on a regular basis, even in reference to other “Christians” whom they judge and disdain. I find myself pulled into that mindset as well, and am all too quick to dismiss brothers and sisters who are too ‘fundamentalist’ for my taste. Paul goes on to say: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. (4:29)  What a challenge, for us – for me – to give grace to those who hear. And yet, it is grace about which we speak so freely and so easily, as the great gift which we receive from God – even though not earned by anything that we do. If that’s the case, why is it so hard for us to extend it to those around us? Could it be that we- you, and I - in more ways than we care to admit, make room for the devil? (Define the word devil in whatever way that works for you!)  I wish that my sin of chocolate gluttony represented my greatest battle, but you and I both know such is not the case. Perhaps you too have those internal as well as external battles, ones which get in the way of being the loving and grace-giving person you want to be. However, with God’s grace we seek to grow in love and to make of ourselves a “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”. (5:2) Thanks be to God. - Pastor Piet - August 13, 2006