There are two evils prevalent in today’s world that we must be vigilant about. They are two spirits, the first one profaning the holy name of Jesus and the second, another spirit preventing us from confessing that Jesus is Christ.
As for the first it is nothing but blasphemy and its author is the devil himself who takes pleasure in uttering blasphemy either directly, or through his minions. ‘The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies………. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name…… ‘(Rev 13: 5-6).
The author of the second evil is also the devil. He knows that not all in his list will agree to profane the sacred name of Jesus. For them he has prepared a Plan B. He will tell them that Jesus was a good man, a model worthy to emulate, and a prophet deserving our admiration. But don’t go beyond that. Even if Jesus is Christ and Lord, he does not need your certificate. Forget all these silly matters and try to be a good man by doing acts of charity. Jesus likes your charity and God will reward you.
It is a lie but the devil knows lies only. When he says a lie, he is doing it according to his nature (Jn 8:44).
The Holy Bible warns us about this two-fold strategy of Satan to trap us using any one of them. Paul writes: ‘I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3).
This is the truth but to appreciate it too, we need the help of the Holy Spirit, because it is the Spirit of truth. ‘But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth (Jn 16:13).
Pentecost is the time to pray for this Spirit of truth to anoint us. Those who blaspheme the holiest of names need our prayer. Those who shy away from confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior also need our prayer. May the Holy Spirit help them to know the truth. But the Holy Spirit will come in only when the unholy one goes out. And Jesus says: ‘ This kind (evil spirits) can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting’ (Mk 9:29).
Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and guide us to the fullness of truth.
