As a church we’re reading C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. The letters are imagined to be how a senior devil might coach a junior devil, particularly in keeping someone from becoming a Christian or encouraging them to leave the faith. 
The tactics shared by Lewis are brilliant and eerily familiar. It’s hard to read without thinking about how a devil came after you in that same way just the other day. So with all the controversy surrounding Phil Robertson and Duck Dynasty, I wondered to myself, “Self, is the devil pleased by all this?”
And you might say, “Of course he’s pleased, America is condoning homosexuality and Christians are being persecuted for it!”
But that’s not where I’m going. And let’s not mistake this for persecution. If they’d cut Phil’s head off or shot him, then we could talk.
I’m thinking the devil is pleased in a different way, namely, that many Christians will engage in a public outcry standing for what’s biblical, all the while ignoring what the Bible says about a host of other things.
I imagine a mass communication being dispatched to all demons going something like this:
“URGENT: The present controversy surrounding the Enemy’s own Phil Robertson and his comments concerning homosexuality have provided us and the Master fertile soil for planting seeds of unrighteousness. Do everything within your manipulative powers to keep your patients (Christians) focused on this controversy as long as possible. Encourage them to have discussions in person and to have arguments on that great tool of ours, Facebook. The longer we can divert attention to this issue, the longer individuals will feel righteous and justified, all the while most will ignore their own sins to the detriment of their souls and that dreaded Church body. ”
– Your Underlord Screwtape
While we conjure up images of Sodom and Gomorrah and their illicit sexual practices we fail to remember what the great prophet spoke. Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
Do I think homosexuality is something the Bible condemns? Yes. As well as pride, over indulgence, and a lack of concern for the poor.
So I think the devil and his minions (resis
t imagining little yellow guys….you can’t do it) are pleased when things like this rise to the forefront of Christian concern.
Why?
Because these are sizable distractions from the sins we commit on a daily basis.
Not caring for those who have difficulty caring for themselves (I’m guilty of this one perpetually), lust, greed, envy, unkindness, and bitterness, just to name a few.
What would you add to this list?
patrick mitchell 
I’m praying that God will use this incident for His glory and that many will come into the Kingdom as a result. God can use this for good! It will spark discussions. May we be gentle as doves but wily as serpents.
I’m conflicted on this issue because the entertainment industry is straight from Satan, so there’s more to it. I’m glad that he is standing by his convictions, but as the Bible says, you cannot serve God and mammon.
I just don’t see what unity any Bible believer could have with an industry that is determined to kill, steal, and destroy. This industry hates God…just because they allow a few prayers and hallelujahs doesn’t change that.