One of the greatest benefits of technology is the ability to easily transfer between or compare different Bible translations of a particular passage of interest. I do this quite frequently—to help carry me deeper into the Word and add perspective I might not gain from a single version. Most know the Lord’s prayer by heart in a traditional sense, but take a look at the version below:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
There are multiple nuggets to pull from here…but our topic comes from the line: “Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. Take a moment to fully absorb the sting from that. “Self” gets top billing here…over the Devil himself! The truth definitely hurts with this one. We don’t like to talk (or even think) about it, but we cannot deny it. Even Anton Lavey, author of the Satanic Bible and founder of the Church of Satan, knew this concept. He was famously quoted as saying, “If you want to worship Satan, worship self.”
We are each a “work in progress,” but understanding this concept—as well as looking at the current state of the world around us—should drive us each to strive hard for continued spiritual growth and closeness to our Lord.
So…the next time you pray for a hedge of protection around you, remember to also pray for protection from the threat that’s already inside the hedge.
