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The opposing spirit

Discernment of the Spirit of Love from the spirit of that which deceives, lies and violates- within, between and beyond us- is our souls' work to end violence.
The opposing spirit
Discernment of the Spirit of Love from the spirit of that which deceives, lies and violates- within, between and beyond us- is our souls' work to end violence.

.
.
.
.
I haven't begun to finish
no, not yet, yet—
.
.
.
here goes nothing (seemingly)
. .
.
.
Here are
new names for an ancient serpent 
new words for .it's. nature, goals, attributes
.
.
.
all gleaned from the journals of a 16th century Quaker
.
::
:::
::
:
.
.It. is
.
contrary
to .
The Spirit of Truth
Love & Life
.
The Seed
which
. 
saves
defends
preserves 
gifts

wherein
.
.
. 
y.our
hearts .
quicken &
arisings
occur
.
.
.
x
x
x

in contrast

x
x
x
.
this contrary spirit
.
opposes the Good
.
.it's. nature is to
.
|destroy|||| .
through
.
.
thoughts
reasonings
disputes
deceptions
doubts §
questions
.
.
.
This
Spirit of

Deceit
this Deceiver
deceives
.
.
..
This
Subtle One's
.
.

design
labor §
aim
.
is to undermine §
overturn
.
the work of God
(Good if you will)
.
in the Soul
.
.
through
temptations
snares
entanglements §
captivity
'
'
'
'
'
.+ The Gift of Discernment +
.
.
preserves 
the 
good
. &
discovers
the 
contrary.
.
.
'
'
'
There is a life and power to Truth. 
There is a life and power to the Lie.
.
.
.
. .. . ,,, - , . which way to turn, . - . ,, . , .. ,,
.
..
. '
'.
There are many forms and appearances 
which lead 
from— .
under a pretense and appearance of 
leading 
to-
.
the Seed
.
.
. .
.
This Tempter
.
betrays
§ bears
false witness
.

through .
subtle devices
.
This Enemy of the soul
This Subtle Accuser :
.
. . . . 'many times brings temptations
beyond the state, capacity and 
ability of the soul to determine'
(so .it's. beyond our power to engage)
.
.
'Meddle not with the things
that the enemy casts into thine mind.
Consider not whether they be so or no'
.
.
.
.
'.
". Wait . . .
'
'
'
in and for the Good. 
Seed .
.
which will
.
deliver 
save
& preserve 
thee"
.
. . . •+* 💠*+• . .
.

Notes on Isaac Penington
who spent 5 years in jail 
because he cared about
possessing the Living Truth
not simply professing it.
.
.

Like other spiritual heroes such as William Stringfellow, Bonhoeffer, the Berrigan's, Mary Daly, Cornell West, & Chris Hedges, Pennington also cares about the spiritual source and ground of violence, hatred and evil. At the same time, they each and all humbly turn me to the Gifts of the Spirit, helping me live humanely in an inhumane world.

Discernment of the Spirit of Love from the spirit of that which deceives, lies and violates within, between and beyond us, is our souls' work to end violence.