You and I have been the victims of the (almost) perfect crime.
This morning I was reminded of this fact that we rarely realize as I drove one of my three teenagers to another town. Some of the best conversations happen unplanned while driving together. I am often surprised at what I can learn when we are inside those four doors on wheels with the road stretching out before us.
My teen told me that a person that was thought to be a good friend had suddenly demanded that there be no communication between them.
“Mom, I didn’t do anything to this person. I thought he was a friend. We have laughed and joked around in class all year. Out of the blue, he pulled me aside and told me that he doesn’t want me to acknowledge him, look at him, or in any way act like we are friends. I don’t know why it hurts so much, but I was depressed about it all day.”
After putting away my mama bear claws that had come out to defend my hurt cub, the Lord immediately brought to mind a verse:
The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Psalm 140:5
After expressing how sorry I was to my hurt child, I replied,
“You might think that was random. There is no logical reason for that person to have been so mean to you. But, honey, this was much bigger than an encounter between you and that boy. You have an enemy, Satan, whose entire mission is to steal, kill, and destroy your joy and make you believe lies. His fingerprints are all over that conversation. The reason why you don’t focus on him and his dirty work in your life is because he committed the almost perfect crime against you.”
There are several elements to a perfect crime:
- The perpetrator covers his/her identity.
- The crime involves calculated planning.
- Those who try to solve the crime are baffled.
- The victim is marked for life by the crime while the perpetrator seemingly gets away with his/her wrongdoing.
Why is Scripture so vital?
The Word of God reveals the net, the lies, and the situations where Satan is trying to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. A steady diet of untrue, demeaning, unjust words said to us and about us becomes the net of destruction that Satan uses to enslave us with lies. Through the negative words of others, Satan commits an almost perfect crime against us. I say almost because we have the ability to find him out and defeat him through the Word of God.
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. Psalm 119:98
The next time a seemingly random conversation occurs that blindsides us, I pray that God’s Word will reveal to us the true enemy behind the words.
What helps you discern the truth behind negative words or situations? Please share your favorite insight or Scripture in the comments below. I would love to know!
Like Shawn’s Facebook page here.
If this post was helpful to you, please share!
Struggling with unmet desires or issues of forgiveness? Check out Shawn’s Bible studies here.
