The Unmasking

Hollywood has produced villains as evil and merciless as the inconspicuously named Cruella de Vil, or perhaps Jafar and the Joker, yet none can rival this subtle yet debilitating force which lives in countless homes, minds and hearts around the world. And oftentimes, we are tragically unaware.

This hidden force does not surrender its victims easily and is as stubborn as it is undetectable. It won’t stop until it has your job, your marriage, your family, and ultimately, your mind. It is insatiable in its appetite.

        

It has the most colourful and creative mind, telling tales and creating scenarios that will paralyse you. It is an unending struggle to battle the at times soothing, at times persuasive voice that sounds just like your own mind. Slinking around it whispers convincingly, “what will people think?”

It steals dancing from the feet of children. It keeps adults on a leash, only permitting them to be ‘free’ when they have surrendered their minds to other influences.

It will direct your thought patterns. It gains control of your voice and will colour your advice to others. It will make you uncertain and unable to make decisions.

It will silence you before other people. It will torment you into refusing to speak before a crowd.

Surrender your life to it and you might feel 'safe'. But you won’t have joy. You won’t have peace. And you’ll forfeit the fullness of life that could be yours.

Alone, it is impossible to defeat.

There is only one remedy. There was One who in anguish sweat drops of blood before facing all the demonic powers of hell. Vulnerable. Exposed. Alone. But because of His unparalleled victory over death itself, you and I can be released from the grip of fear, and instead, we can receive a spirit of sonship. We can exchange this crippling bondage for Power. Love. A Sound Mind.

Evil is very real. But the love that allowed the breaking of Jesus’ body on the cross and gave his dying breath, is so much more powerful.