Tag Archives: spiritual warfare

Devotional

Battle of the Shine

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Read 1 Peter 5:6-11

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:21 NLT)

Image created by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of AI developed by Microsoft.

As a horror enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the chilling tales of Stephen King. Among his classics, “The Shining” stands out as one of my favorite ghost stories. My family and I even had the thrill of visiting the Stanley Hotel in Estes, Colorado, the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel, and taking its famous ghost tour. This experience deepened my appreciation for the eerie atmosphere King masterfully creates in his novel.

For those unfamiliar with the story, “The Shining” follows the Torrance family – Jack, Wendy, and their five-year-old son, Danny – as they become winter caretakers of the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado. Jack, a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, sees this as an opportunity for a fresh start. However, the hotel harbors dark secrets and malevolent spirits that begin to influence Jack’s fragile psyche. Meanwhile, Danny possesses psychic abilities known as “the shining,” which allow him to see the hotel’s horrific past and sense its evil intentions.

The “shining” itself is a supernatural gift that enables those who have it to read minds, communicate telepathically, and perceive events from the past and future. In Danny’s case, it also makes him acutely aware of the hotel’s sinister nature and the danger his family faces. This ability serves as both a blessing and a curse throughout the story, much like our own spiritual discernment can be both comforting and unsettling.

As the story unfolds, the Overlook Hotel becomes a metaphor for the spiritual battleground we all face in our lives. The apostle Peter’s warning in our Scripture reading resonates deeply with the ominous atmosphere of King’s novel: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Just as the Torrance family found themselves under siege by unseen forces, we too are constantly at risk of falling prey to spiritual attacks.

The hotel’s ability to exploit Jack’s weaknesses – his past traumas, addictions, and insecurities – mirrors how the enemy often targets our vulnerabilities. Like Jack, we may find ourselves slowly succumbing to negative influences, our judgment clouded by deception. However, the story also demonstrates the power of love and sacrifice, particularly through Wendy and Danny’s efforts to save Jack and escape the hotel’s clutches.

In our own lives, we must remain vigilant against the subtle ways evil can infiltrate our thoughts and actions. Yet, we’re not left defenseless. As Romans 12:21 reminds us, we have the power to “conquer evil by doing good.” This echoes Danny’s use of his “shining” ability – a force of good – to combat the hotel’s malevolence. Similarly, we can use our spiritual gifts and discernment to resist the darkness that surrounds us.

The Overlook Hotel, with its long history of violence and tragedy, serves as a stark reminder that evil often lurks in places we least expect. Its isolation amplifies the sense of vulnerability the characters feel, much like how we can feel overwhelmed and alone in our spiritual battles. Yet, just as Danny finds strength in his connection with Dick Hallorann, another person with “the shining,” we too can find support and encouragement in our faith community.

Just as the Torrance family faced their demons (both literal and figurative), we too must confront our personal struggles with faith and determination. By staying alert to the enemy’s tactics, grounding ourselves in God’s word, and actively choosing to do good, we can resist evil’s influence and emerge victorious in our spiritual battles.

“The Shining” reminds us that even in the darkest places, light can prevail. Our faith, like Danny’s “shine,” can illuminate the path forward and help us overcome the evil that seeks to consume us. As we navigate our own spiritual landscapes, may we remain vigilant, steadfast in our faith, and always ready to shine God’s light into the darkest corners of our world.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
What areas of your life might be vulnerable to spiritual attack, and how can you strengthen your defenses through faith and good deeds?

PRAYER
Divine Creator, help us to stay alert to the enemy’s schemes and to rely on Your strength to resist temptation. Guide us to conquer evil with good, shining Your light in the darkest places. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional, Previous Post

REVISITED: Be Still, My Soul

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Read Mark 5:1-13

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)

“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the Wolf’s Bane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” At first when Larry Talbot hears those words recited to him by the engaged woman he is attempting to seduce, he laughs it off as superstitious hogwash. One thing that could certainly be said is that Larry was certainly not pure in heart but, then again, who is? Regardless, Larry was a modern, civilized man, and there was no way that he was going to buy into werewolves and in any mythical monster.

Yet, as it turns out, later that night following those words being recited to him, Larry is bitten by what looks like a large wolf and his life becomes a living nightmare. As the full moon draws closer, Larry became more and more convinced that he was, in fact, bitten by a werewolf. He was so paranoid that he tried to convince his father who refused to believe him. Instead, his father put him in the care of a psychiatrist. On the morning following the full moon, Larry found himself lying in bed with tattered and dirty clothes on. His window was open wide and dirty footprints could be seen. At first they were wolf-like, but each footprint became more and more human. Once he saw this Larry knew his worst nightmare had come true: he was the wolf man.

As you have probably figured out, I have just summed up the first half of the movie, “The Wolf Man”, starring Lon Chaney, Jr. It is one of my favorite films because I find that I truly relate with the character. I think many, if they are honest, can relate with him. We are all flawed people. Even when we have the best of intentions, we are not pure in heart. We often try to hide the impurity and the ugliness; however, at some point, that ugliness always shows. No matter how hard we try to suppress the beast within us, whatever that beast is, the full moon eventually rises upon it and the beast is unleashed. This, of course, is a metaphor and our inner “beasts” take the form of anger, depression, hatred, bitterness, addiction, gossip, divisiveness, cynicism, and many other things.

This is a reality. We may not like to admit it, but we all have a beast that lies underneath the surface just waiting to come out of the darkness to take over and destroy our lives and the lives of those around us. The question is, will we like Larry deny that the inner beast exists? Will we deny our impurities? Will we pretend that we are all “good” people who have no weaknesses or hangups? Or will we come to terms with the fact that, while our life can be beautiful at points, it is also true that we find ourselves walking thorny paths? Will we acknowledge the thorny paths we are on. This reminds me of the first verse of a famous hymn, “Be Still, My Soul: the Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in every change God faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

While “Be Still, My Soul” is talking about having strength in times of tribulation, there really is no greater tribulation than trying to fight our inner demons alone. The reality is that we were born in a broken world as broken people. The more we deny our weaknesses the more our souls suffer the consequences of that inner struggle. The Good News here is that you need not fight it at all. Christ has power over our demons if we will only allow him into our lives and into our hearts. That takes humility, it takes repentance, and it takes a willingness on our part to be transformed and to change; however, is the alternative a better option? The same Christ who cast Legion out of the possessed man in the reading for today, is the same Christ who can conquer the inner demons, the inner beast, in your life. All you need do is have faith, to be willing to change, and to allow Christ to still the storm in your soul.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY “Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.” – Katharina von Schlegel

PRAYER Lord, still the storm within my soul. Should it ever return, remind me that you are Lord in my life and that I need not fight the battle alone. Amen.

Devotional

Be Still, My Soul

2 Comments

Read Mark 5:1-13

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)

“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the Wolf’s Bane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” At first when Larry Talbot hears those words recited to him by the engaged woman he is attempting to seduce, he laughs it off as superstitious hogwash. One thing that could certainly be said is that Larry was certainly not pure in heart but, then again, who is? Regardless, Larry was a modern, civilized man, and there was no way that he was going to buy into werewolves and in any mythical monster.

Yet, as it turns out, later that night following those words being recited to him, Larry is bitten by what looks like a large wolf and his life becomes a living nightmare. As the full moon draws closer, Larry became more and more convinced that he was, in fact, bitten by a werewolf. He was so paranoid that he tried to convince his father who refused to believe him. Instead, his father put him in the care of a psychiatrist. On the morning following the full moon, Larry found himself lying in bed with tattered and dirty clothes on. His window was open wide and dirty footprints could be seen. At first they were wolf-like, but each footprint became more and more human. Once he saw this Larry knew his worst nightmare had come true: he was the wolf man.

As you have probably figured out, I have just summed up the first half of the movie, “The Wolf Man”, starring Lon Chaney, Jr. It is one of my favorite films because I find that I truly relate with the character. I think many, if they are honest, can relate with him. We are all flawed people. Even when we have the best of intentions, we are not pure in heart. We often try to hide the impurity and the ugliness; however, at some point, that ugliness always shows. No matter how hard we try to suppress the beast within us, whatever that beast is, the full moon eventually rises upon it and the beast is unleashed. This, of course, is a metaphor and our inner “beasts” take the form of anger, depression, hatred, bitterness, addiction, gossip, divisiveness, cynicism, and many other things.

This is a reality. We may not like to admit it, but we all have a beast that lies underneath the surface just waiting to come out of the darkness to take over and destroy our lives and the lives of those around us. The question is, will we like Larry deny that the inner beast exists? Will we deny our impurities? Will we pretend that we are all “good” people who have no weaknesses or hangups? Or will we come to terms with the fact that, while our life can be beautiful at points, it is also true that we find ourselves walking thorny paths? Will we acknowledge the thorny paths we are on. This reminds me of the first verse of a famous hymn, “Be Still, My Soul: the Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in every change God faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

While “Be Still, My Soul” is talking about having strength in times of tribulation, there really is no greater tribulation than trying to fight our inner demons alone. The reality is that we were born in a broken world as broken people. The more we deny our weaknesses the more our souls suffer the consequences of that inner struggle. The Good News here is that you need not fight it at all. Christ has power over our demons if we will only allow him into our lives and into our hearts. That takes humility, it takes repentance, and it takes a willingness on our part to be transformed and to change; however, is the alternative a better option? The same Christ who cast Legion out of the possessed man in the reading for today, is the same Christ who can conquer the inner demons, the inner beast, in your life. All you need do is have faith, to be willing to change, and to allow Christ to still the storm in your soul.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY “Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.” – Katharina von Schlegel

PRAYER Lord, still the storm within my soul. Should it ever return, remind me that you are Lord in my life and that I need not fight the battle alone. Amen.