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A friend is the pastoral assistant at our church. From time to time, she preaches in place of our senior pastor. She had to preach at our Son rise Service on Easter Sunday. In her planning she got to thinking about Mary Magdalene.

When we think about this Mary, we hone in on the fact that Jesus healed her from seven demons. We don’t know what those were. We do know she appreciated the healing she received to the point she followed the Master as he taught and healed others.

My friend wondered if we who live in the 21Century have demons controlling our lives. She came up with three, distractions, doubt, and despair. When she shared this thought with me, I thought she was onto something.

Later, I reached into our mailbox and, among the ad mail, I found an envelope addressed to us. The return address was that of a daughter of a recently deceased friend. I immediately had a bad thought. I opened it and read the sweetest note I ever received. I realized I judged the daughter for taking a month to get the thank you card to me. Then I thought of the conversation about demons. I had the demon of Judgmentalism.

Later, I posted a message on Facebook of our conversation and added some traits that fall under category of “demons.” Two of my Facebook “friends” indicated they liked the thoughts. I also received two comments that gave me two more traits believed to be demons.

The list presently includes:

Distraction,

“You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Doubt,

“. . . he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed away by the wind. James 1:6b NIV

Despair,

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my lord. Psalm 42:5

Judgmentalism,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 NIV

Impatience,

“. . . everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . . “James 1:19 NIV

Self-entitlement, Selfishness,

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

Conceit,

“. . . do not think better of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3-NIV

The aftermath of anger,

“A fool gives full vent to his anger but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11 NIV

“But I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:22 NIV

“ . . everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV

“In your anger do not sin” Psalm 4:4; Ephesians 4:26 NIV

Pride,

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NIV.

Pettiness,

“. . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NIV

Criticalness,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 NIV

Several of us have been trying to grow spiritually. We were on a journey throughout the Lenten season. This time of personal introspection has shown us so very much about how we should live our lives for Jesus.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

"Lord God, You Have a Funny Way of Working at Times"