Are You Crazy?

It appears everyone is crazy.

Hardly a day goes by without a public figure suggesting an opponent has some form of mental derangement or deficiency.

Is this really the case?

Perhaps, in some instances.  But, not all irrational behavior indicates a serious mental condition.  In fact, it is possible the behavior is not irrational at all.  It could be the result of rational fear and a personal feeling of powerlessness.

The people who are said to be doing and saying “crazy” things in our culture, are often afraid of losing something.  The list of somethings includes rights endowed by God and the Constitution.  Also included are treasured principles such as freedom and justice.

Perhaps you could complete this sentence focused on someone you consider to be crazy: “You’re crazy if you think you are going to take away my _____________.”

I am not a highly skeptical person, and I don’t spend a lot of time working through conspiracies.  But I do believe the only reason some people haven’t taken away some of the things I value is because they haven’t had an opportunity.

Crazy, you say?

Hang on…

I’m going to make a hard-right turn into a Bible topic!

Whoooooooah!

Are you still with me?

Good.  Sorry for the scare.  Let’s see, where were we?  Oh, yes…

Consider the fear we might have of Satan’s work in our lives.  Is it irrational?

On one hand, yes.  Satan was defeated at Calvary, and has no ultimate power over us as we cling to our hope in Christ.

On the other hand, no.  Satan works extra hard to exploit weaknesses in the lives in an effort to diminish the work Christ calls us to as His people.

It all comes down to opportunity.  In Ephesians 4:27, the Apostle Paul wrote, “and do not give the devil a foothold.”  The Greek word used here for “foothold” can also be translated “location” or “opportunity.”  The idea is that the devil looks for a single vantage point from which to launch an all-out assault on our lives.

Now let’s suppose we are speaking to Satan when we say, “You are crazy if you think you are taking away my ______________.

What might you put in the blank?

“Peace of mind?

“Confidence in God’s grace?

“Moral integrity?

“Family?

“Prayer life?

“Time with God’s Word?

Crazy, you say?  Satan could never take away these things in our lives?

Perhaps.

Unless he has an opportunity.

Which is all he needs.

To believe otherwise is…

Well…

Just plain irrational.