the flatterer and the accuser

the flatterer and the accuser
©5-4-14 hannah mclean

tongues bombard me
the flatterer and the accuser
creating confusion

in places of struggle and sin
the flatterer says
“stay!
all is well.
peace, peace,”
it sings to the places where
there is no peace
“do not consider, do not change,
listen as i sing your praises
lest you look upon your shame.”

in places of purity and redemption
the accuser says
“go back!
you are not well.
pick up the chains of the past
and wrap them around your neck
you are naked and shamed
without them.
you have not changed
nor can you ever.”

and to these tongues
which fill my ears with wicked lies
i say
“shut your mouth, satan.
it is the Spirit that both
affirms
and convicts
and you are not Him.
i will not overlook the sin that stains my heart
because you sing my accolades
serenading me with
hollow, flowery compliments
in a pursuit to drown out His voice
that desires my holiness.
and i will not doubt the reality of His redemption
as your judgments ring around my head
accusing me of walking amid your ranks
denying me the realities of
His redeeming work
and accrediting your work
to my clean hands.

hold your tongue.

i do not live at your beck and call
i will not swoon at your validations
nor grovel at your accusations.
it is the Spirit that both
affirms
and convicts
and you are not Him.”