Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CLOWN (02/13/20)
-
TITLE: Send In The Clowns | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
02/17/20 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
In the circus there was/ is the phrase, “Send in the clowns!”
When something went wrong during the course of a performance, clowns were sent out to perform, preferably in an alternate ring (stage), while whatever it was that went wrong was taken care of as soon as possible.
The purpose of this entertaining “side show” was to retain the audience by creating a shift in its focus of attention.
Clowns, with their unique dress code, speech, stunts, and antics might grasp the attention of the audience, especially among the young and the young at heart.
For a minority, some say as much as 7 – 12 % of the population, the appearance of clowns with their exaggerated make-up and distorted facial characteristics, can trigger an episode of coulrophobia (fear of clowns).
Be it by way of the entertainment they provide, or by the fear they can induce, clowns could provide the means to distract the attention of the audience away from whatever went wrong while damage control personnel could address it.
In a similar way, the devil uses fear and distraction to carry out his plan of destruction (1Pet.5: 8).
Fear and faith are like to opposite ends of a see-saw. As one goes up the other goes down.
The Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil distract by offering alternatives that they know will appeal to the fallen nature (Rom.7) that remains in all of us. This nature is inherently hostile (Rom. 8: 7) towards God and is unable to understand (1Cor. 2: 14) the things of God.
At times, diabolical strategy calls for outright rejection of the truth (Gen.3: 4). At other times it calls for a perverting and/or misapplication (Matt. 4: 6) of what is the truth.
The greatest obstacle in the devil's plan is an individual who has developed a Biblically edified soul structure (Matt. 7: 24-27), coupled with the wisdom and the willingness to apply it (James 1:22).
This is why the devil's strategy failed during the temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness (Matt. 4: 1), but has proven to be otherwise quite successful (Rev. 12: 9) when interacting with the individual members of the human race throughout the course of human history.
The devil does not have clowns waiting off stage that he can send in when things go wrong with his plan of destruction.
But what he does have is an army of spiritual beings (Eph. 6: 12) that have the ability to deceive, to distract, and to lead unsuspecting souls down the road to one form of destruction or another.
Deceived souls unwittingly become blind guides (Matt. 15:14) leading others to the pit. Herein is the great evil associated with Man-made (Mark 7: 7) and/or demonically taught (1Tim. 4: 1) religion. Like an avalanche, false religion gains speed and size, threatening anything or any one in it’s path.
These spiritual beings promote what people want to hear, but not what they need to hear (2Tim. 4: 3).
These spiritual beings will promote all that this world has to offer, as long as God and/or the things of God are left out of the picture (Matt.16: 26).
Like the circus clowns, these spiritual beings will provide entertainment. Much pageantry has evolved within the Christian community.
These spiritual beings, when it benefits them, will also promote fear, adversity, insecurity, low self-esteem, discouragement, persecution, rejection, and frustration. All advancing disciples (2Tim. 3: 12) will inevitably find themselves being subjected to this form of attack.
Clowns play/played a significant role in the circus.
When things were going right, their antics could bring laughter to the young and to the young at heart. When things went wrong, they fulfil a fundamental rule of entertainment requiring that “the show must go on,” while damage control manages the issues when things go wrong.
In the realm of spiritual combat, advancing disciples must be aware of when and where the devil has sent his (Eph. 6: 12) spiritual beings to keep his plan of destruction (1Pet. 5:8) moving forward.
The spiritual war was lost on the cross, but the devil will never surrender.
Even after his upcoming 1,000 years of incarceration, he will be at it again until he is finally thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 7-10).
His consolation prize is the human souls that will be joining him in the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 15).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
I do find that all the Bible references detracts from the telling of your entry. Have you tried to just use an asterisk, and put the references at the bottom?
You do know your Bible!
It was well developed, informative, and defined circumstances that relate to the Word as it pertains to the world today, and you've managed to bring it all home in a powerful way.
Great scripture verses to tie it into the topic.
Excellent!
Thought this was fabulous!
Blessings~