The Devil’s Workshop

One night a man had a dream. He found himself in the devil’s workshop. All around the room were shelves and racks on which tools of all kinds were arranged neatly.
“Welcome to my workshop,” the devil said. “Feel free to look around. I’ve never had visitors, it might be kinda nice to have someone to talk to while I work, if you have any questions let me know.”
So the man took himself on a little tour of his surroundings. He admired the various implements he saw, and wondered at the uses of some of the others. Many were obviously of an antique design, their uses unknown to this man. He had almost completed his circuit of the room when he noticed something, which struck him as odd. Turning to the devil he said,
“You have a well equipped workshop here. Do you mind if I ask what sort of work you do in it?”
“Not at all. You see I work to destroy those who would follow the Bible and believe in Jesus. It all started with the serpent act I pulled off in the Garden of Eden. The outfit I wore for that little number is over there in the corner. After that I built this workshop and began collecting these tools. If you look in the closet over there you’ll find the Babylonian Clothing that Achan took and hid in his tent. The Golden calf that the Israelites worshipped while Moses was on mount Sinai is now serving as the legs for my workbench. The other part of the money that Annanias and Saphira kept back from the apostles, is in that little box over there on that shelf. I don’t mean to brag, but I have been very successful in my efforts to steal souls away from the One who would be their Saviour. It is very rewarding work.”
“This is all very interesting. But I have one question.”
“What is that?” asked the devil.
“You have gone through all the trouble to build this workshop and collect these tools, but none of them have ever been used. You have them and they sit on their shelves or hang from the walls, but you have never used any of them. Why?”
“Have you gotten to the workbench yet? On the workbench is my most prized and useful tool. With it I have caused all kinds of havoc in the church, and have turned many against God, and against each other. Have a look.”
The man made his way to the workbench expecting to see a cunningly devised masterpiece of diabolical ingenuity. So he was surprised when he discovered that the devil’s most prized possession was a plain, badly worn and battered wedge. It had the marks of many hammer strokes marring its once shiny surface. Scratches and gouges covered it from one end to the other.
“I don’t understand.” The man said, after a long moment. “Why would this be your favorite tool out of all of the ones on the shelves and hanging from the walls? Why would it be this wedge?”
“With that wedge I can widen even the tiniest crack in the church into a division that will tear families apart. I have divided congregations that stood against me for years with just a few careful taps of my hammer behind that wedge. If I find a place to drive that wedge into, the people usually do the rest of my work for me. You have never seen a group of “saints” behave in such a way as they do when I have had a chance to drive that wedge in between them. The fighting, backbiting, and gossip are like music to my ears. The anger and hatred that sometimes results is a wonder to behold. They blame me for the things that take place in the church but all I did was tap the point of that wedge in, they did the rest. Of course I was there observing and enjoying every minute of the chaos that resulted.”
“Has your wedge ever failed you?”
“Once or twice, not very often though. When I had Peter arrested, those people prayed until God sent an angel to release him. Usually though if I can get my wedge into even a tiny crack, I am assured of success.
Now, I need to sharpen it again. There is a church I have had my eye on for some time and I think it’s about ready for my wedge.”



Original Author
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