Feminism Article Report

*Tis is an old university assignment*

            Feminist reviews are essential for the advancement of the female voice and presence inside and outside of literature. I have read two Feminist reviews to try and understand what defines Feminism. The articles that I have read are Ruth Robbins’ “Reading the Boys’ own Stories: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Heart of Darkness”, and Bell Hooks’ “Feminism: A Movement to End Sexist Oppression.” These articles hold deep insight into the perceptions of Feminism and female presence inside of male-dominated literature. The Feminist stance of the Ruth Robbins’ and Bell Hooks’ articles are as follows. Ruth Robbins took a peculiar dive into three male-dominated texts. These three texts were the Heart of Darkness, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She tries to shine the light of Feminism upon works in which the female figure is nonexistent or ridiculously insignificant. Bell Hooks holds more of the stance that Feminist discourse has yet to be thoroughly defined. Bell Hooks in her article clearly states that women and society are incapable of truly concurring as to what “Feminism” represents. Within these two articles, light is shed onto ideas of Feminism and female roles in literature.

            Ruth Robbins in “Reading the Boys’ own Stories: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Heart of Darkness” places a Feminist theorist’s point of view on the three books mentioned above. These writings are male-centered writings with minimal female interaction. However, Robbins decides to dissect the three selected manuscripts and reveal to us the subtle, inner workings of women within the literature. With The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, one Feminist diagnosis appears at the end of the book. The chapter “Full Statement of the Case” is both a scientific case study and a personal confession. Henry Jekyll was such man that needed a wife because he had everything else. “The story contains no hint of any woman who could represent an eligible spinster for such a man” (Robbins 226) Jekyll’s discovery is disturbing to his fellow professional men because it threatens their own sense of upstanding masculinity. It contaminates masculinity by threatening femininity within the supposedly indivisible male self. In The Strange Case, Ruth Robbins speaks of the upstanding figure in which Henry Jekyll is portrayed, but he was taken over by the darker side of his work. This was because he had no feminine balance in his life.

            In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Ruth Robbins is saying that with this nearly homosexual attraction to Dorian Gray, who needs women in the text?  Robbins states that to certain extents all three main characters of the book (Basil, Henry, and Dorian) are feminized. “They are passive, idle and often bored” (228). About Dorian himself the most significant thing is his appearance. We first meet Dorian as the object of the portrait of which he is also the subject. Dorian is painted as a fulfillment of Basil’s artistic dreams, and the portrait is so successful that all three men begin to confuse object with subject—picture with man. The effect is that Dorian is commodified in ways that woman of his class and beauty are. The confusion of his painted picture and self is also a confusion of normative gender roles. Basil worships Dorian. That worship is replicated in Lord Henry when “we discover from his wife that he has seventeen or eighteen photographs of [Dorian] in his room” (229). It is also the presentation of his image between Lord Henry and Basil that makes his image feminized. Basil seeks to paint Dorian as a feminine arousal. Basil wants to capture Dorian’s lips half parted and the bright look in his eyes. “That is the exact image of a sexually receptive female, pornographic; where parted lips and shining eyes are the essence of feminine appeal” (229).

            In Heart of Darkness, Ruth Robbins places a Feminist view of the book by issuing that the feminine presence is deconstructive. Two types of females are present in this story. One of them is Kurtz’s love from home who is a typical female for the time the story was written. She is delicate, stay home, no stress, dictated by others type of female. However, the other female is the Mistress. She is feared by men due to her more masculine self. She appealed as more masculine than the men. The Mistress is feared due to her self-confidence. This self confidence aids in revealing that men have a deep fear of losing adventure stories. Within the story males are perceived as more powerful and consume the female presence. Linguistic hegemony is how the male remains in control. The women of this tale fall to victims of linguistic hegemony.      

Bell Hooks begins her article by talking about the central problem within the Feminism discourse. Hooks came forward stating that the central problem has been the inability to either “arrive at a consensus of opinion about what Feminism is or accept definition(s) that could serve as points of unification” (Hooks 22). Women, as well as society, have been unable to truly agree upon what a “Feminist” is. This poses a not so humorous situation that indicates a growing disinterest in Feminism as a radical political movement. Today Feminism appears as a term without any clear significance. From a label of “anything goes”, the definition of Feminism has become nearly meaningless. Many definitions of Feminism have been passed around like a hot potato but then dropped. A few of those definition proposals are the following: A struggle to end sexist oppression, an establishment of a political party, and a lifestyle change as opposed to a “political commitment” (26).  This article confronts the question of why so many women oppose Feminism. Women are hesitant to supporter Feminism because they are uncertain about the meaning of the term, they see Feminism as synonymous with lesbianism, they look down upon political movements, and some reject connection with any women’s rights association. Women of oppressed ethnic groups dismiss the term because they do not wish to be perceived as supporting a racist movement; Feminism is often equated with white women’s rights effort.“Most women are familiar with negative perspectives on ‘woman’s lib’ than the positive significance and power that we must now struggle to recover and maintain” (24). Women are allowing fear of radical political movements and rumors of pro-lesbianism to prevent a potentially powerful movement. In conclusion of Bell Hooks’ article, she states that “defining Feminism as a movement to end sexist oppression is crucial for the development of theory because it is a starting point indicating the direction of exploration and analysis” (27). This article is saying that the term “Feminism” has not been clearly defined thus leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of society.

            In conclusion, we have learned a great amount from both articles. Ruth Robbins helps us to understand a few concepts. These concepts are “a world without women is also a world in which ‘real’ men do not exist” (Robbins 226), “a femininity which means objectification is dangerous” (232), and “it is only fear and lies that make order” (239). Robbins commented about how Feminist readers merely adopt diverse places to stand in relation to texts and diverse points of focus within them. On the other hand Bell Hooks lets us see the uncertainty of Feminist viewpoints. She helps us understand that we need to eliminate underlying causes of sexism and group oppression. Without this change in philosophical structure, “no Feminist reforms will have a long range impact” (Hooks 27). Robbins speaks of the female presence in literature and how it can teach us. Hooks speaks about the undecided nature of Feminism and how it has been crippling female reforms. Yet both articles make the clear the power and effect that women have on our society and daily lives. Without the presence of women in our culture, “real” men would not exist. These articles give profound insights into the way we need to treat women and their reform movements. They have a voice that will soon be heard, and will shake the foundations of our society. Feminism will have a central role in reforming our society; Feministic opinions must be improved and nurtured.

Child Abuse in the Midwest

*Old and unedited research assignment from freshman year in college*

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of child abuse in the Midwest and to defend the most plausible solution. Effects of child abuse are the following psychological problems, social problems, sexual problems, physical complaints, eating disorders, denial and repression, re-experiencing, and over-irritation. The causes of child abuse are the following individual-related factors, family-related factors, and social and cultural factors. The most plausible solution to child abuse includes three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Two reasons exist for the inferiority of this package solution: abusive parents are not always caught, and abusers are not parents. Four reasons exist for the superiority of this package solution: parental support groups, cost-effective education programs, effective for all ages, and fewer false accusations.

Joey’s [surname not given] story is particularly morbid. Joey was sexually abused beginning on Christmas Day at seven years old. The abuse came from both his mother and stepfather. The tragedy started when Joey’s stepfather told the excited boy he had some “special gifts hidden in the bathroom” (Child Abuse, p. 1). Joey ran electrified and blissfully into the bathroom. His stepfather slammed the door behind them and raped the innocent child.

            Joey is currently receiving treatment and therapy at Tennyson Center for Children. His parents have refused to participate. Since his arrival, numerous “dreadful secrets” have been shared (Child Abuse, p. 1). His parents’ rights to him have been cut off and they are no longer a part of his life. Recent studies (2002) have indicated Joey represents roughly 63,000 children in the Midwest who are abused or neglected on average every year (Child Welfare League of America, p. 1). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of child abuse in the Midwest and to defend the most plausible solution.

            Effects of child abuse present themselves in eight variations. Those effects are the following psychological problems, social problems, sexual problems, physical complaints, eating disorders, denial and repression, re-experiencing, and over-irritation. These effects can break further into two different groups. These effects can be grouped into the minor effects and the major effects. The minor effects of child abuse are the following sexual problems, physical complaints, over-irritation, denial and repression, and re-experiencing. A recent study (2002) indicated that minor effects of child abuse are rarely reported. Sexual problems are reported but kept secret and out of the hands of the general public. Physical complaints, over-irritation, denial and repression, and re-experiencing are all effects that are minimally documented (Child Welfare League of America, p. 1). These four effects are dealt with on personal levels. Victims do not often consult doctors. Therefore, the minor effects of child abuse are sketchy on supporting evidence and dealt with personally instead of professionally.

The first major effect of child abuse is psychological problems. The child fights fears and panic attacks, struggles with sleeping problems and wrestles nightmares, the child also battles irritability. The child exhibits outbursts of anger and sudden shock reactions when being touched. The child has minute confidence and minuscule self-esteem. Unfortunately the child brawls with behavior that harms the body: addiction to alcohol and other substances, excessive work or sports, depression, self-destruction and prostitution. Therefore, the first effect of child abuse is psychological abuse.

            The second major effect of child abuse is social problems. Victims display little confidence in other people. Victims display fear of loss of control in relationships.  Victims are always in need of controlling all situations. Victims feel that if they do not have control they are being taken advantage of. Therefore, the second effect of child abuse is social problems.

            The third major effect of child abuse is eating disorders. In reaction to a harmful event patients become disordered for more than a month in such a way that they cannot go to school or work and isolate themselves or experience some posttraumatic stress syndrome.  This disorder originates in reaction to a very harmful event and has three characteristic symptoms.  Denial and repression alternating with re-experiencing, and they are always over irritated.  Therefore, the fifth effect of child abuse is eating disorders.

            The causes of child abuse can grouped into three different factors. Although six different varieties of child abuse exist, all hold these three special types as subcategories. Wiehe (1996) specified them as “individual-related factors, family-related factors, and social and cultural factors” (p. 48). The first cause is individual-related factors. Bullies in schools, bullies in the neighborhood, or even bullies in the house are classified within individual-related factors. Psychological abuse victims are, perhaps, in the most need for aid and help. If a person is able to break into an individual’s psyche, it is possible to devastate and manipulate that person’s thoughts and mind beyond any word description. Wiehe (1996) spoke of the individual factors as a scenario where the children emulate the parent’s actions. In a family, if the parental figures repress emotion, they may, in turn, encourage their children to develop a related style of conduct (p. 58). Miller (1983) added that parents may display unresponsiveness to children’s emotional needs. The child most often responds to the parent’s “denial of emotions by feeling unloved and unwanted” (p. 37). Therefore, individual-related factors constitute the first cause.

            Family-related factors, the second cause of child abuse, are more impacting than those individual-related, and social and cultural factors. Family-related factors would include divorce, insufficient finances, transportation to employment problems, lack of quality time spent with the child, and an inadequate or dysfunctional support system. Fontana (1976) made a statement that is as true now as it was the moment he penned it: “There are parental attitudes as damaging as a push down the stairs or a command to stay ‘the hell out of the house’ because mother’s got company” (p. 50). The words spoken by a parent to a child are capable of producing more psychological damage than people could ever dare to dream – they are cuts with imperceptible marks, marks that become perceivable as the youngster grows into maturity.

            Psychologically, a mother’s words can greatly influence a child’s outlook on the entire world. If a mother said, “Come to me. Daddy is a beast. But mommy loves you.” A thought such as that can plant terrible seeds in the soil of the young person’s mind. Fontana further exemplified “‘…if you don’t stop that, I’ll break your arm!’ The arm may never get broken, but the rage and hostility find their target” (1976, p. 51). Harsh words twist and frighten children’s minds. Harsh words cause paranoia, paranoia causes insecurities, insecurities produce unhealthy relationships, and unhealthy relationships turn life into a nightmare. Psychologically, more so than physically and sexually, young people are vulnerable to a permanent scar that may not be seen but suffered until the end of their age. Righthand et al. (2003) declared that verbal abuse from parent to child such as “swearing at, insulting, and being verbally aggressive” has proven to have ruthlessly negative psychosocial repercussions for that child or children involved (p. 21). Therefore, family-related factors constitute the second cause.

            The third cause of child abuse is social and cultural related factors. Garbrino and Vondra (1987) mentioned that social and cultural factors include stress and sex-role stereotypes. Parents may be so overwhelmed with problems and stresses in their own lives that they fail to be sensitive to their children. Parents may not meet the emotional needs of their children. This may result in children’s feeling rejected and unwanted. For example, a child’s father arrives home from a stressful day of work. Upon entering the door, his little boy comes running up with a paper clenched in his tiny fist. Hysterically leaping to show his father the first perfect spelling test score, his father physically shoves the child out of the path. Sitting down in his chair, the father flips the television on. The child stands up and runs to his father again. Battling the television for his father sole attention, the boy eclipses the screen. His father yells, “Boy, get out of the way. I don’t care about your meaningless spelling test! Go, grab me a drink.” The child’s head and heart drop as he walks away. “Stress factors associated with this form of emotional abuse may include too large a family, inadequate financial resources, parental drug and alcohol abuse, as well as a general climate in the family in which there is an absence of emotional support” (p. 26). Therefore, stress is a main aspect of social and cultural factors of child maltreatment.

            Sex-role stereotypes are another example of social and cultural factors. Treating children differently on the basis of gender may result in psychological maltreatment. Parental beliefs and expectations about gender-appropriate behavior may influence the way parents treat children, with the result that children are not allowed to develop to their full potential. For example, a Jewish father refuses to allow his athletic son to play varsity sports such as football or basketball because the Friday night and Saturday games break their religious observation of Sabbath. Also, a single mother refuses to permit her daughter to get involved in extracurricular activities (such as basketball, track or cheerleading) because they are not lady-like behavior. Wiehe (1996) stated, “Parents may be reinforced in these beliefs and practices by religious and cultural values, as well as by the differential way in which genders are portrayed in the public media” (p. 60). Therefore, social and cultural factors constitute the third cause of child abuse.

            The most plausible solution to child abuse is a package plan. It includes three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Under these three levels, the plan includes a thorough educational intervention for children of all ages, a follow-up effort by school and city/state officials to work as safe and personal counseling role, an effort to change the already existing laws pertaining to child abuse and its consequences, and popular programs and music to teach children more about abuse. A large issue facing the child abuse problem is that it is difficult to know when the abuse occurred. Human beings are exceptionally skilled at hiding their serious issues – masking their problems. Child abuse is not simple to prevent. Intervention can always happen despite the level of abuse or length of time. Thus, there are three different levels of prevention for child abuse.

            The first element of prevention is evade child abuse and neglect from occurring. The enactment of various public policies relevant to children’s health and welfare are viewed as examples of primary prevention. A child’s years in school provide an opportunity for primary prevention efforts. A program called “Bubbylonian Encounter” is a three-puppet play displayed in schools intended to inform children of abuse. The solution includes a few adaptations that have proven effective for past victims. Therefore, the first element of prevention is to educate children of child abuse.

            Secondary efforts are taken to relieve parents of stress if child maltreatment has already become a factor in the family. Day care is considered a secondary effort. Parents that suffer from overwhelming feelings of stress – caused by waiting on their children all the day – strongly considered day care. Since stress is a significant factor associated with the occurrence of child physical and psychological maltreatment, prenatal support programs by hospitals and public health clinics are set-up to all parents. Aimed at the expectant teenage parents these clinics are opened to all parents. They set up program goals that prepare participants for parental roles and enhancing bonding between parents and children. Therefore, the second element to the prevention plan of child abuse is childcare and clinical programs.

            Tertiary prevention aims at helping the child and even parents after abuse has occurred. This prevention method focuses further on limiting the impact of the problem on victims and their families. An example of a tertiary prevention operation is childcare centers for children who have experienced prior maltreatment. Parents can receive treatment through tertiary prevention organizations. Agencies are set up all round the nation with treatment programs for parents such as abusive mothers, emphasizing nurturing skills. For abusive parents, Parents Anonymous (P.A.) and anger control groups are set up. These assemblies are proven very effective for those who have given them a chance. Therefore, the third element is preventing child abuse from impacting victims too drastically.

            Two reasons exist for the inferiority of this package solution of group counseling, education and reformation of law and its execution. The first reason is that the hand of justice does not always slap all abusive parents. According to Righthand (2003), never brought in front of a judge and convicted, the responsibility is on the shoulders of the parents to realize the problem. The responsibility is on the shoulders of the parents to seek help. The responsibility is on the shoulders of the parents to do what is most suitable for the child (p. 57). Therefore, parents not caught for abusive actions constitutes the first weakness.

            The second reason is that not all victims are abused by their parents. In March 1996, a survey was taken for prison inmates. Studies showed that one in five inmates serving in a state prison due to violent crimes committed the crime on a child under age eighteen. A vast majority of child victimizers in state prisons in the Midwest knew the victim prior to the abuse. “A third had committed a crime against their own child. A half of them had a relationship with the victim such as a friend, acquaintance, or even relative. About one in seven were complete strangers with the victim” (p. 1) Roughly two-thirds of child abuse crimes were not committed by the parents of the abuse victim (Federal Bureau of Justice, p. 1). Therefore, not knowing precisely who the abuser is constitutes the second weakness.

            However, three reasons exist for the superiority of this package solution of groups, education, and reformulation of law and its execution. The first reason is that support groups provided for parents that abused their child give the adult a sense of company. Parents Anonymous (2005) reported meetings give the parent abusers a support group. In a world of fear and cold heartedness, the parents are surrounded with nonjudgmental peers that have experienced similar problems. Parents Anonymous allows for parents to open up without fear and discuss their ongoing problems. Parents Anonymous strengthens families by preventing and treating child abuse. Parents Anonymous decreases the probability for other social problems to occur such as “juvenile delinquency, crime, emotional and developmental problems, substance abuse, poor academic performance, homelessness, and unemployment” (p. 1).  Sitting down with a counselor is overwhelming for an abusive parent. Allowing psychoanalysis of thoughts in a one-on-one setting tends to bottle up parents. Comfort helps parents open up and express testimonies of wrong action. Comfort contributes to confessions in a group setting by nearly 60% more than having parents sit with only a psychoanalyst alone (Parents Anonymous, p. 1). Therefore, support programs for parents constitute the first strength.

            The second reason is having educational programs in school or touring to schools is a cheap way to open the mind’s eye of a child living in ignorance. Taxpayers in a district already pay for the public schools to be running. The cash needed for these programs to begin and continue would come not only from the local taxpayers but also from state and federal educational boards. Since funding for the programs will not live in a single district the support of a nation is more powerful than that of an individual. Socrates was correct when he stated, “Knowledge is power.” Where people live does not matter – ignorance is never bliss. Knowledge fuels change, change institutes revival, revival saves lives, and saved lives change the world. Bridgeland (1996) and Price (2001) addressed Missouri and Michigan schools started programs that allow high school health classes to devote an entire unit of time to briefing teenagers on child abuse. Missouri and Michigan schools open the mind’s eye for many children to understand child abuse more thoroughly (59, 36) Therefore, educational programs for children constitute the second strength.

            The third reason is changes in legislation would allow fewer false accusations of child abuse. Informing people through lectures, news and media, or classes about child abuse would help the public understand the laws about abuse and help prevent false claims being filed. CNN (1999) broadcasted a Minneapolis family fled to prevent their child from being taken by authorities. To social workers, Wally and Debby Hines were abusive parents that beat their infant son until his bones broke. The Hines’s, however, are victims of misunderstanding. The Hines’s one-year-old son has a rare brittle bone disease. The child was taken from the family and put into a temporary foster care. While with the foster care he was diagnosed by doctors to have brittle bones disease. While at the hospital and foster care facility, he broke bones. His parents were not abusers. His parents were misunderstood and falsely accused. Jenkins (1997) reported, “Of all child abuse reports made in the United States…only two percent are deliberately false.” That still translate into tens of thousands of phony accusations every year due to misunderstandings. For families involved, results can be devastating. In Cass County, Nebraska, the Timm family suspected a woman they knew had made a false claim of abuse. “I think that the hardest part was putting the children in the police car, not knowing where they were going and when we would be seeing them again,” said father Jeff Timm. It took the Timm family a month to get their children back from the arms of a false claim (pp. 1-3). Therefore, knowledge of laws and filing claims constitute the third strength.

            If this solution is not put into practice, more families will have to suffer the loss of their children. False claims will take more children and cause suffering similar to the Timm family and Hines family. Ignorance has caused more difficulties than benefits to children. If this solution is not put into practice, more families will see their children carried in police cars and kept from parental nurturing love.

            To return to the story that began this paper, Joey has shown that he is a good learner and has an enormous memory. He also stepped into leadership in his school. Joey’s dream is to someday connect with a wonderful foster family. White (1958) wrote “a pure, healthy life is most favorable…for the development of the powers of mind and body” (p. 125). Pure and healthy relationships are most constructive for the advancement of the powers of mind and body.

References

Bridgeland, W. M., & Duane, E. A. (1996). Child-abuse policy in Ontario and Michigan: The school. Education, 116, 56-61.

Child Abuse (n.d.). Kids’ stories. Retrieved April 1, 2005, from http://www.childabuse.org/kidswehelp.htm.

Child Welfare League of America (n.d.). Facts 2002. Retrieved April 1, 2005, from http://www.cwla.org/programs/juvenilejustice/jjdfacts2002.htm.

CNN. (1999, August 20). Family flees to prevent authorities from taking their son. Retrieved March 4, 2005, from http://www.cnn.com/US/9908/20/battered.or.brittle/index.html.

Federal Bureau of Justice. (2000). Federal Bureau of Justice statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Fontana, V. J. (1978). Somewhere a child is crying. Chicago: Macmillan.

Garbarino, J., & Vondra, J. (1987). Psychological maltreatment: Issues and perspectives. In M. Brassard, R. Germain, & S. Hart (Eds.), Psychological maltreatment of children and youth (pp. 25-44). Elmsford, NY: Pergamon.

Jenkins, B. (Correspondent). (1997, March 7). Headline news [Television series]. Atlanta: CNN News.

Miller, A. (1983). For your own good: Hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence. New York: Free Press.

Parents Anonymous. (n.d.). Research results. Retrieved February 25, 2005, from http://www.parentsanonymous.org/pahtml/progNet_n_research.html.

Price, J. H., Islam, R., Gruhler, J., Dove, L., Knowles, J., & Stults, G. (2001). Public perceptions of child abuse and neglect in a Midwestern urban community. Journal of Community Health, 26, 34-38.

Righthand, S., Kerr, B., & Drach, K. (2003). Child maltreatment risk assessment. New York: Haworth Press.

White, E. G. (1958). My life today. Washington, DC: Review and Herald.

Wiehe, V. R. (1996). Working with child abuse and neglect: A primer. London: SAGE.

Character Sketch

*Perhaps not my best (or most well-written/well-researched piece*

The Devil/Satan in the Book of Luke

The story of the devil in the gospel of Luke starts with the devil tempting Jesus (Luke 4: 1-13). Jesus had been fasting for forty days when the devil appeared before him. The tempting took place in three different locations: the desert near Jordan, a high place in the wilderness, and the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem. The devil used his gift of words to try and fool Jesus. He pulled out his three biggest deceptive thoughts on Jesus in an attempt to make him sin; yet Jesus never fell for them.

 The devil is knowledgeable as to what the scriptures say and attempts to use that against Jesus (Luke 4: 10). However, where the devil could fool most any human being, he could not fool the Son of God. The devil showed Jesus at one point all the kingdoms of the world from a high place in the wilderness, and told Jesus that if he worshiped the devil, he could have all the world’s kingdoms (Luke 4: 5-7). The devil is also good at discerning when to pick his fights. He came to Jesus after forty days of fasting (Luke 4:1-3) and left to regroup when his tactics had no affect of Jesus (Luke 4: 13).

In the parable of the sower and the seed he is mentioned. It reinforces, in a sense, the devils great decision to start causing trouble. They speak of the those along the path, new Christian believers, and the devil will come take the word from their hearts that they may not believe nor be saved (Luke 8:12). The most fragile section of a new journey in Christ is the beginning when nothing is quite certain yet. The devil recognizes that and takes everything away so that people lose hope, perhaps permanently. He is great at picking and choosing when to attack. He knows when humans are at their weakest and most vulnerable stages.

Satan is an evil being hell-bent on revenge. Jesus replies to those seventy-two he sent out to prepare people for his coming to town. They were in awe that the demons submitted to normal people in the name of Jesus. He then tells them that he saw Satan cast from heaven and all his evil angels (Luke 10:1-20). Satan never wanted to be cast out of heaven; he wanted to be above the Lord. However, that was taken from him and he was cast out, and ended up being substantially lower than he was in the first place. Those it was his greed and envy that caused him to be cast away, he still starves for revenge. He is miserable and wants anyone he can get to feel that misery with him.

The devil’s devious and cunning side is revealed more in depth when Jesus healed a cripple woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). The Lord set the lady free from her infirmity; the Lord had done a miracle in front of many onlookers. Then the synagogue rulers attacked him for his work. The devil found a way to manipulate the mind of some of the “most holy people,” and cause them to lash out against the Lord. Although Jesus outwitted them and people delighted in his acts, the words spoken from the hypocritical synagogue rulers could have snuffed the flame in a few individual’s searching for God. In the broad spectrum, people delighted, but the devil was working on hearts just as much as God was. Even to get a mere few to turn from Jesus, the devil is delighted.

Satan was relentless in his attacks and attempts to turn people away from Jesus. On three different occasions recorded in the book of Luke, Jesus had to cast evil spirits out of people. The first was a man possessed by an evil spirit (Luke 4:33-35). The second was also a demon-possessed man (Luke 8:26-37). And lastly, the evil spirit was among a boy (Luke 9:37-42). The devil never rests on his attempts to destroy people. Even if it does not seem as if we are being attacked, some person out in the world is. Satan came into those three individuals knowing that no one had enough faith to cast the spirit out except Jesus. All other people steered clear of those people. Satan is always on the attack hoping to finish us off forever.

The last great act the devil instigated in the gospel of Luke was coming upon Judas (22:3-6). Satan was the spirit that moved Judas to go to the chief priests and deceive the Lord. His attacks on Jesus and Jesus’ character never ended and still have not. He still comes upon people today and attempts to use them to deceive the Lord. The devil thought that he had finally defeated Jesus, but it was only the beginning! He knew the scriptures well enough that he knew what was prophesied. Satan did all he could to keep the prophecy from actually being fulfilled, however in the end, Jesus outdid him. Yet, the devil is not done. The devil still deceives and possess. But Satan is weak and has no authority in the presence of the Lord.

Little Love Poem

As the sun will never stop burning,

Neither shall my heart cease yearning for you.

Your beauty leaves me breathless,

I stand and watch you in awe.

It hurts to know that I can’t be with you.

Is your heart reserved for another?

The way you laugh, the way you smile, the glitter in your eyes,

I want to hold you in my arms, to make you feel alive.