turning the enemy's weapons against him

Palladius of Galatia talks to us today in A Year with the Church Fathers. He teaches us that we should use our former sins for good.

Yesterday we learned that we should take two good steps forward for every one bad step backward. This is, in a way, using our sins for good. But Palladius takes it a step further today. He gives the example of a former robber and murderer who converts to a life of faith in Jesus. When some robbers try to attack him in his monastic cell, he overpowers them, ties them up, and carries them to church. They are so amazed that this formerly famous robber (like Captain Jack Sparrow, or the Dread Pirate Roberts) is now leading a life of faith that they all convert to Christianity as well.

You're probably not a famous robber and murderer. But you do have sins. And you can use your experiences of those sins against our enemy. If you have struggled with alcohol or drug abuse in the past, you can reach out to those who struggle with it now and sponsor them through AA. Chuck Colson was sent to prison for some legal wrongdoing, and his experience in prison taught him to commiserate with those who are incarcerated. He worked for many years after his release to visit and benefit those behind bars.

Whatever your sin is, give it to Jesus. Besides redeeming you, He will use your sin against the enemy, and help to free others from the sins that so easily entangled you.

God, thank You for working in our lives, even with our sins, to make our lives and the world a better place.