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I Saw Satan Fall From Heaven

Posted: July 2, 2016 by Rob Voyle

This Sunday's Gospel Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 has really got me pondering.

The word "Satan" means the "Accuser of the Brethren" and in this Gospel Jesus says he saw Satan fall from heaven. What Satan was doing in heaven is beyond me, but here is what I know.

There Are Three Realms of Accusation:
1. The spiritual or existential.
In the presence of God, since our time in the Garden, we feel accused and ashamed.
2. The social or interpersonal.
There are bullies in our world who accuse us of wrong doing and failure, especially the failure to make them happy, or having done something that made them unhappy. They often begin their accusation with: "You should be ashamed..." or "Shame on you..."
3. The personal or intra-personal
Many of us suffer from internal critical voices that demean and belittle us and steal our joy. For example the critical voices that tells you that you are a failure or that you will never amount to anything. Sometimes these voices are the internalized voices of others, sometimes they are our own voices. Either way they can make us miserable.

Each of these accusations threatens us with alienation. When all three are aligned they create a living hell. Just one accusatory voice can make our lives miserable or limit our ability to perform at our best.

None of these accusations are likely to be rational and any attempt to rationalize ourselves out of them is likely to fail. For example arguing with an internal critical voice is just likely to make the critical voice louder and more distressing.

In the world of contemplative prayer we are taught to let them "float on by" as arguing with them is another form of attachment to them. Yet many times the accusations keep floating on back.

The good news is that these voices of accusation are actually quite resolvable without long analysis.

If you want to help people resolve voices of accusation then I invite you to join one of the coach training programs where you can join us and learn the strategies to watch Satan fall from heaven.

Rob Voyle

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About the Author

Rob Voyle

Rob Voyle

The Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle is a leader in the development and use of appreciative inquiry in church and coaching settings.

Rob's Approach to Training

  • Helpful: Training must provide practical, sustainable solutions for today's challenges.
  • Humorous: Creativity and humor go together as people enjoy new insights.
  • Healing: I create opportunities for people to experience transformational insights that lead to new ways of living, working, and being in the world.

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        Helpful, Humorous, Healing
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