Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles. We are conquered if we try too conscientiously not to sin at all. So when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that instead of being overly serious about sin, we should embrace joy and camaraderie to deflect negativity.
In this quote, Martin Luther highlights the importance of enjoying life and seeking the company of others when faced with temptation or negativity, represented by 'the devil'. He argues that over-conscientiousness about avoiding sin can actually lead to despair, and instead, engaging in merriment and light-hearted activities can help maintain a balanced perspective. By suggesting that one should act contrary to the devil's suggestions, Luther emphasizes the power of free will and the necessity of finding joy amidst struggles.
Themes
JoyCommunitySinFreedomLaughterTemptationRecreation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about maintaining mental health, one could quote Luther to encourage people to embrace joy rather than guilt.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes βNow if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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