Sometimes it’s just easier not to change, not to risk being more let down than you already are. It is often the reason behind why people vote the way they vote. It can be the reason we put up with bad service and return to the same restaurant or retail outlet. We may remain at the same doctor with the horrible bedside manner or buy the same car brand with the not so sexy looking models. Bad service, bad government, bad manners or bad looking may seem much safer than taking a chance on something new; at least I know what I’m getting. These situations are rather benign in comparison to areas in our lives that choosing the devil we know over the one we don’t, is not only lazy but it is also ungodly. Maybe that should be a given since choosing any devil is not godly…

Let me try to Christianize the phrase.

Better the God you know than the one you should know. Not sure this has the same meaning, actually, I am positive that it does not have the same meaning as God and the devil are complete opposites, but it still holds true to the concept of better the devil you know than the one you don’t. As a matter of fact, I think for the follower of Christ it is the best way to describe the journey of many who call themselves Christians. The fear of change that many are driven by would lead one to believe that following Christ beyond the simple turn and don’t burn theology is too much. I know Jesus loves me and I’m okay with that Jesus but the Jesus who askes me to live my life for Him, to sacrifice and to become like Him, well that’s a little over the top.

The depth of a relationship is limited by what we are willing to risk.

It happens in our relationships with each other, and it happens in our relationship with God. The biggest enemy of growth is comfort. Those who are honest about their relationship, especially marriage, would often tell you they wish it was better. The truth is, we should always desire our relationships to grow but often the flame of desire is doused by the fire retardant of fear. It’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t. Just a warning, do not have a heart to heart with your life partner and say that you desire more from your relationship, but you think that maybe you are living this way because it’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t. Maybe you should have a private conversation with yourself and ask if your marriage is one that lives by this old saying; ask yourself if you’re unhappy in your marriage but afraid that change will bring out a worse situation than before (close the door if you talk out loud)? If this is true it’s time to first, stop thinking of your partner as a devil and second, build on the comfort you know. It’s better the comfort you know plus a little discomfort about what you don’t know than to settle for the devil you know.

If you can take a chance in your earthly relationships…

…then shouldn’t it be easier with God? I suggest you have the same talk with yourself that you had about your partner. You won’t need to close the door even if you talk out loud, God hears everything including your thoughts. It’s a tough question to ask but have you made your relationship with God an it’s better the devil you know than the one you don’t?  That in itself should make you shutter. While I think we would all agree that God is not the devil, some of us have a view of God that is more attributable to the evil one himself. If I trust God, if I take a step further to get to know the God I have so far avoided, will it get worse? Well, the answer is who’s scale of worse are you using?  Will life be less comfortable? Again, it depends on who’s scale of comfortable you are using.

Life will in terms of this world be less comfortable, worse. Life in terms of your relationship with God will always be better. It’s scary! Better the God you know than the one you don’t, the one you’re afraid to know and to trust. The problem is, the devil, not God is the one that can’t be trusted. The devil will not push you out of your comfort zone, God will. The devil will not ask you to give up your worldly vices and pleasures, God will.

I guess the old saying needs to change. Better the devil you know than the God who you need to know. Better the comfort you have than the challenges God has for you. Better to trust what you can see than trust in the One who you can’t see. Better the devil you know…but is it really better or just safer?

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:15-17 (NIV)