I love how Christian replies to Apollyon when they face off in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. After Apollyon accuses Christian of a series of sins, he basically replies, “You’re right. But I’m actually even worse than that.” That disarming statement sets up the death blow:
Apollyon accused,
- “You almost fainted when you first set out, when you almost choked in the Swamp of Despond.
- You also attempted to get rid of your burden in the wrong way, instead of patiently waiting for the Prince to take it off.
- You sinfully slept and lost your scroll,
- you were almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the lions, and
- when you talk of your journey and of what you have heard and seen, you inwardly desire your own glory in all you do and say.”
[Christian replied,] [Read more…] about When Satan Tempts Me to Despair