Is the Devil Really in My Details?

Years ago, I scribbled these words in a journal. When I ran across them recently, I couldn't remember what I meant. However, this past week, the Holy Spirit reminded me...

When I first heard the phrase, "The Devil is in the details," it made sense, but also made me feel helpless. This Bipolar, ADHD brain is like a pinball machine full of details, but also one longing for more of Jesus. So, how was I ever going to capture ALL these things, and submit them to Jesus as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5?

Well, if we consider the passage's context, we see that Paul is speaking to a critical crowd of Corinthians who don't care for the direct wording of his letters, even as he maintains his calm demeanor in person. They found that combo to be hypocritical and off-putting. Thus, their arguments indicated that Paul had no authority to teach them regarding the things of God and the disciplines of the faith.

Even though Paul does not take this challenge to heart, he does see the need to address it in order to help them reframe their thinking... not about him, but on how to stand with strength in spiritual warfare according to God's plan of victory through Jesus Christ.

"Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent...For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ." 2 Cor 10:1-5

He is saying that the knowledge of God -- understanding of His character and reverence for His Sovereign plan -- and the use of His tools -- the Word of God and prayer -- are the most powerful weapons against false teachers and the wiles of the devil.

In other words, Paul is saying that the detail of God is what brings the detail of the person into order, into submission to His perfection. When the SUBSTANCE of God, as shown through Jesus Christ, is honored as HOLY, then satan's attempt to scramble the details is seen as child's play. His effort is demolished, not by our power or for our vain glory, but by the Spirit that lives within us (Zech 4:6)!!

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The first time I heard the statement, "The devil is in the details," it mattered because I needed to understand what cunning means: a skillful deceiver, malicious, shrewd, sly, a twister of words and ideas. I needed to see him for what he is: a liar, a thief, a master of confusion, and a rapist of the mind.

Yet the most divine clarification came when my dear friend and mentor, Diane, was willing to stop me in my misunderstanding after I mentioned this catchy little phrase. With kindness, she led me toward the loveliest of life-defining and life-giving truths that still to this day help separate me from the details of me, delivering my heart, my mind, my nervous system, my loyalties, allegiances, affections, and energy by way of the truth -- and detail -- of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Spirit of Jesus who moves among us...who WAS, who IS, and who IS TO COME...

"You know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God...Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome, because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore, they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them. We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this, we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan]. Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]." 1 John 4:2-7

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"There's only One worthy

Of all glory and all praise

All wealth and honor

Speak wisdom and power

To the Lamb that was slain, oh oh

He who is to come

Christ the Son of man

Riding on the clouds with a crown upon his head

Every eye will see Him

With the nail scars in His hands

Hallelujah, hallelujah"

"Just the time I feel that I've been caught in the mire of self

Just the time I feel my mind's been bought by worldly wealth

That's when the breeze begins to blow, I know the Spirit's call

And all my worldly wanderings just melt into His love

Oh, I want to know You more

Deep within my soul, I want to know You

Oh, I want to know You

To feel Your heart and know Your mind

Looking in Your eyes stirs up within me

Cries that say, "I want to know You"