Tuesday after Oculi, 3/20/01

1 Timothy 3: 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. --NIV

In the name of the One Who warns us about the judgment of the devil, amen.

It has been said that all sin is really a perversion of the attributes of God. God alone has real self-worth and dignity. Satan was created as a beautiful, intelligent angel. Instead of finding his value and dignity in serving his creator, he began to believe he was great in and of himself. In other words, he became conceited.

Conceit is a satanic trait. It is a twisting of the attribute of the self worth that only God has as the source and creator of all things. Our Lord is concerned about us and doesn't want us to become conceited and be condemned because of it. He cautions His church not to elevate people to positions of authority too quickly, so that they will not become conceited and fall under the judgment of the devil. God's love for us goes so far as to look out for our future. The love of Satan, on the other hand, goes only so far as to try to rob God of what belongs to Him. Amen.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You have not kept anything from us that is good. You have even warned us about things that can be harmful to us. Help us to think like You. Help us to watch out for each other, so that none of us falls under judgment. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

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