Do You Renounce Satan?

In being tempted by the Devil, Jesus was presented with what was, and still is, our current world view. That should not come as a surprise because evil, no matter how you dress it, up is evil. The Devil appeals to our corporeal desires as he appealed to Christ, suggesting He change the stones into bread. He is manipulative and deceptive telling Jesus everything will be alright if Jesus jumps off the cliff. Finally, the Devil progresses to the point where he wants us also to be, asking Jesus to worship him. These three stages are the progression that all mankind goes through. We all have desires of the flesh. I watched a segment on CNN of how the pornography industry wants federal money like the auto industry. What was so stunning to me was how the reporters were not in the least bit shameful or uncomfortable talking about it, as though the pornography industry is another business like a dairy farmer or parts manufacturer. Pornography is big business. I read recently where 35% of office workers look at porn during their workday. We are a nation of materialistic, self satisfying, self indulgent people, who want it and want it now. The second stage is of course the deception and manipulation." It's alright to do what you want when you want it, for there are no consequences" The Devil appeals to our own pride and self interest pumping us up, making us feel good about ourselves. This reinforces our belief that we must be right. It also produces the hatred and scorn for religion, faith, morality, goodness, and God Himself. The third stage is of course worshiping the Devil. Now I am not referring to those people who belong to a Satanic cult, mutilate animals, or doing anything of that nature. That kind of perversion is evident. No, I am referring to those who reject God. I am referring to those who place the materialistic, sinful, and self indulgent desires on their own altar. We become a slave to sin and a slave to the Devil. In the 1950's a movie came out that has been remade several times. "Invasion of The Body Snatchers". You know the story. The plan is out of the Devil's playbook, infiltrate, deceive, and slowly but surely take over to the point where we can't tell who is who. Don't kid yourself, but our country is going that direction. As Jesus said repeatedly "be on guard".

Again Here is the Litany of Conversion with a few more verse added:

United in the mystery of the conversion of Paul, we pray for the grace of conversion in our own life:
R. Lord, Give me the Grace of Conversion

Lord Jesus,

When I look at my life from the starting point of my own insufficiences, instead of from the fact of your compassion, grace, and love for me. R.

When I would prefer to live by my own thoughts and my own understanding instead of by your Truth which alone can set me free. R.

When I would rather brood over what annoys me than turn myself over to you always invite me to come to you. R.

When I obsess over self-absorption, complacency, and self-assertiveness. R.

When I get dejected about my sin, not because it offends you, but because it prevents me from being able to take delight in myself. R.

Whenever I live in a dualistic way, as if my faith and "my real life" are two separate things, R.

When I am deceived into thinking that my happiness depends on something in the future instead of what you give me in the present moment, R.

When discouragement and shame make hard for me to be faithful, R.

When I become distraught over the evil I would commit if left to myself, forgetting that I do not live according to myself but that I live in you, R.

When self-doubt and fear seem to have the last say, R.

When I miss the point of my fragility, a gift you give me so that I will always be prompted to rely on you, R.

When I am inclined to interpret my problems as punishments and my miseries as being abandoned by God, R.

When impenetrability takes over my life, making me resistant to your beauty and all the little ways you ordain yourself to me, R.

When I get distracted by my feelings, my emotions, my passions, my regrets, R.

When I get duped into thinking that I must fix myself up in order to have a relationship with you, forgetting that you come to me with your love just the way I am, R.

When I treat my faith like some abstract answer to be sought instead of as a loving Presence to be affirmed, R.

When I get discouraged by chronic or recurring sins in my life, R.

When I would attempt to earn you favor by achievements, forgetting that I did not choose you, but it is you who chose me, R.

When scandalized by my own selfishness and self assertion, R.

When the oppressive nihilism of life makes me ignore or reduce the desires of my heart that lead me to you, R.

When independence and self-sufficiency make me resist the companionship with others through which you will give me your friendship and tenderness, R.