One of the few generalizations we can make in the field of universal spirituality is this: No one else is your problem. You are always the locus of conversion and transformation. It is always about you first of all—always. You can even use that as a good litmus test for authentic spirituality. Is it keeping you listening for God? Is it keeping your own feet to the fire? Then it is probably healthy teaching. Is it leading you to suspicion, paranoia, accusation, and blaming? Then it is from the “Accuser,” which is a quite significant New Testament name for Satan (Revelation 12:10). The Evil One is not only an Accuser, therefore, but also a “father of lies” (John 8:44), because the other one is not your problem, even though Evil would prefer to have you think so. It keeps you from your own needed transformation and keeps the contentious spirit alive.
