And The Devil Said...

One day, the devil was caught up on his paperwork and didn't have very much to do. So he decided to walk around the Earth and check on the progress his minions were making corrupting mankind. He decided to pick a nice suburban neighborhood to eavesdrop on the thoughts running through people's minds. His first house was a white Cape Cod, where he heard the voice of a woman say, "That idiot is such a dip. I think if he tried to make Kool Aid he would surely burn the water! I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!"

And the devil smiled and said, "This is good -- this is very good."

A few more houses down the street the devil heard the voice of a teenaged boy. "Get away from me you stupid creature, and don't come back again! You are a plague on mankind. I hate your guts."

And the devil smiled and said, "This is good -- this is very good."

Then a half block further on, the devil heard a man shout, "I'm trying to get something done here. Go away and stop bothering me!"

And the devil smiled and said, "This is good -- this is very good." His black heart filled with admiration as he added, "My minions have done an excellent job in this neighborhood. I'll have to reward them with an extra shift in the fiery furnace when I get back to the office."

Suddenly a little demon popped up out of a sewer and ran frantically down the street, his arms flailing wildly in the air. "Father, Father," he screamed. "Stop! Leave this place at once!"

"What's the matter with you, Wickerwort?" ol' Scratch said angrily. "Can't you hear the venom coming out of these people's mouths around here. The hate in this neighborhood is wonderful. Everyone is badmouthing everyone else. It is so glorious."

"You don't understand, Father," the little demon shouted. "You're in the wrong neighborhood. There was a huge revival here last night. The one they're actually badmouthing is YOU."

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
(James 4:7 NIV)

[ by Ed Price -- from 'Themestream' ]