Twisted Reasonings-Part 2

Journey to the Celestial City #63. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the conversation continuing between the one known as By-ends and three others: Mr Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love and Mr. Save-all. The former proposes a question which leads to the discussion of a minister becoming more zealous in his profession for the purpose of gaining "more fat and plump by far." But to get there the minister must alter some of his principles because his audience requires it. The idea gets Mr. Money-love's stamp of approval. His rationale goes as follows: "Of course, Providence will back it. It's for a good end. And the minister is working so much harder. It's what the church needs and has been lacking. And the principles being altered issue ~ what self-denial on the minister's part for the sake of others after all? Ultimately, the change boils down to a small for a great." Thus Mr. Money-love's twisted reasonings come as only one with his expert experience can muster. And we, too, can pretty much rationalize anything in or out and make it seem that, of course, God, would and does approve. And the ends justifies the means, doesn't it? The flesh is cunning that way. And could it be that you're personally right now in the middle of convincing yourself something is God's will when really it isn't? "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang." (1Timothy 6:10) "Lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11:4c) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 94-96