Copy That

God is the creator of the Heavens and the Earth. One of His names is the Great Creator. I believe that creation is a Divine attribute, and when we participate in creating anything good, we tap into a part of the Divine within us.

Adam was told, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). The Israelites were told, “Six days shalt thou labour” (Exodus 20:9).

But if any provide not for his own,

and specially for those of his own house,

he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

-- 1 Timothy 5:8

Isn’t it also true that work is a creative process and, therefore, Divine? Constructing a building, laying a road, teaching children, performing an art, practicing medicine--don't they help create what wasn’t there before?

The counterfeiter

In contrast, can you think of anything the Devil has ever created or a work he has ever performed? Is there any mention in the Bible of the Devil creating anything? He didn’t create Hell but was cast down to it (Isaiah 14:12-15). John in the New Testament refers to the Devil as the Father of Lies (John 8:44). Aren’t lies corrupt variations of truth?

I believe that the Devil is not capable of creating anything because there isn't any Divine within him. What, therefore, is left for him to offer but false copies of that which is good--imitations that bear no fruit? The Devil is the Great Copier.

Whom do we follow?

Do we seek to personify the attributes of the Great Creator or the Great Copier?

Ponder the following comparisons. The left column lists Divine attributes and actions. The right column presents their flawed copies. Not their opposites! The opposite of love is hate. The opposite of strength is weakness. I’m not speaking of opposites. I’m speaking of their copies.

Divine — Copy

Love — Lust

Earn — Claim

Teach — Tempt

Protect — Cage

Wisdom — Pride

Serve — Scheme

Inspire — Coerce

Ambition — Greed

Judge — Condemn

Justice — Revenge

Patience — Anxiety

Chastise — Ridicule

Strength — Brutality

Admonish — Harass

Encourage — Flatter

Enthusiasm — Force

Happiness — Pleasure

Passion — Compulsion

Force is needed on occasion for self-defense. Pleasure is fine, too, so long as we understand that it cannot be a substitute for happiness. In terms of regular, ordinary life, we need to seek the originals and avoid the copies.

As you consider the above attributes over the next few days and weeks, ask yourself,

• How often do I espouse the copies instead of their originals?

• How often do I admire those who uphold the copies instead of the originals?

• If I embrace the copies, then whose side am I on?