Many of us are all too familiar with distractions. If it was a struggle to stay focused before the availability of an array of technology, we now have an even greater list of options. All those possibilities to stare at a screen in a variety of sizes have made it possible to skip around the world or tap, tap, tap at a colorful array of bouncing shapes for hours on end.

Now before you pick up a charger cord to toss my direction, this is not about the awfulness of electronic devices. This is about the importance of discovering, as best as we can, the source of things. In this case, is it God who desires our attention or is it the devil in the details?.

First, a bit of history:

Origin

The original phrase was “God is in the details.” This meant that you needed to ensure that everything you did was done truthfully. The devil is in the details is a variation of the original phrase.

There are numerous stories regarding where the phrase originated from. One being Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, a German philosopher and poet (1844 – 1900.) He was quoted as saying “Der Teufel stecktim Detail” which translates to “the devil is in the details.”

Another being a German architect called Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880.) He was often quoted as saying “God is in the details.”

Source: https://www.theidioms.com/the-devil-is-in-the-detail/

Isn’t it interesting “God is in the details” preceded “the devil is in the details?”

All of which leads us to the question, how can we tell the difference?

In a word: discernment.

St. Ignatius of Loyola is recognized as a master teacher when it comes to understanding how to discern. A few minutes search on the Internet and you will have more than enough pages to sort through on the topic.

Most of us are not theologians. We are, however, human beings who desire to make loving choices and take the appropriate actions as consistently as possible. Which means the more we understand what a God-detail is and what is a devil-detail-distraction, we will be better equipped to follow through on this desire.

A good way to begin is to ponder the definition of discern:

to detect with the eyes; to detect with senses other than vision;

to come to know or recognize mentally

[Merriam-Webster]

  • To detect with the eyes. We need to do is make sure our “vision” is clear. Is what we “see” Truth? The devil loves to deceive through images. For example: How do you “see” your spouse? Your neighbor? The stranger you pass on the street? Words can quickly become labels that distort and destroy.
  • To detect with senses other than vision. It’s no accident God has given us give us five senses. We need to use them all when we are about the business of discernment. What we hear, taste, smell and touch, along with the numerous feelings and emotions these senses may stir within us is invaluable to discovering the source of the detail.

For example: I live with chronic pain. Day in, day out, something hurts. While some days are better than others, I’ve learned to quickly pause, pray, and listen. Am I sad? Angry? Fearful? The devil delights in getting me to “sit” in the midst of these emotions, all the while sinking further into the darkness of mind and spirit. When I take time to ask God to help me through the difficulties so I can focus on the work he calls me to, the intensity of the feelings and emotions fade. That doesn’t mean the pain vanishes, however, I can rest in the peace I have a loving, Divine companion who bears the discomfort with me.

  • To come to know or recognize mentally. Due to the cultural pressure to be head-smart—fill our brains with facts and information—many of us rely primarily on accumulated knowledge to help us through the discernment process. Nothing wrong with that. The problems arise when we put our faith solely in what we think we know as fact, apart from the insight our senses and broader vision bring to the bigger picture.

For example: Fact—certain tasks in my week are more difficult and consume more energy and time than others. If I allow myself, I can focus on other stuff—which usually means the easier, more fun ways to spend time. All of which can lead to delays or the need to reschedule them for another time. And then the unpleasant recognition those moments of pleasure were short-lived and left me feeling empty. I have come to know, over time, that I’m much more at peace when I focus on the harder, more complex tasks first. Note—it is healthy to goof off and have fun. We know when we’ve chosen to listen to that little voice of self-indulgence, eh?

The good news about learning how to discern is that we eventually realize just how often God is present in daily life. What we may have once assigned to fate, happenstance, or luck, [or the devil] we begin to see as the clear hand and foot print of the one who desires to lead and guide us. The One who can work through all circumstances, even those instigated by the mumbling of the enemy of our human nature.

Do I believe both God and the devil are in the details?

Am I able to recognize the detail and the source?

What do I need to help me learn how to distinguish one from the other?