My Captives,

I have something to share, which will turn your blood cold, but I'll make you forget in a while.
I have something to say which you will not believe, and oh! how that causes a smile.
How you worship and praise me, and please me to death,
How you refuse the truth with your very last breath.
I can't wait 'til you meet me, and scream out with knowing,
but it's too late by then, it's with me you are going.

So continue as is, go your devious way, I'm content with the path that you follow,
and please sit in your church so I know where you are, and continue to go there tomorrow.
Oh I don't mind a bit when you sing out your hymns, for the meaning was lost long ago.
Because meaningless worship is worship of me, and you don't know you worship the foe.
So because we are friends and you please me so much, out of loathing it's pleasing to share
The ways you can worship me every day, Yours in lostness, and hate, and despair.

Worship me with religion that disregards Christ, which will damn every man to the fire.
Worship me when you lust for unmentionable things, when you yield to each evil desire.
Worship me with your churches that don't preach the Good News, with an altar that never calls out,
With superior glances and offended tones when a real child of God starts to shout.

Worship me with your greed for attention and praise, worship me with your need to be known.
Worship me when you sit in your comfortable house, when your brother in Christ needs a home.
Worship me with your selfishness, ego and pride, worship me with the clothes that you wear.
Worship me when you smile just to hide what you are, when you know that your heart doesn't care

Worship me when you pray for the health of a friend, and add 'Lord; if of course it's your will.'
For although it sounds humble, and honest, and good, it's doubt from your heart that you spill.
Worship me with your niceness and worldly concern, with false sympathy honed and perfected,
With your finicky ways and your meanness of heart, and a bitterness left unrepented.

You believe that your God would agree with your view, not to love those who hurt you back then,
But the Christ deals with truth, not deception like me. If you understand just say 'Amen'.
Worship me with pornography, acid house rock, worship me with refusal to praise.
Worship me when you think it's because you're refined, I'm so pleased it's on me that you gaze

Worship me with your idols, like money and job, and the child that you will not let go,
with pernickerty manners; well you know how it is, we both like to have things just so.
Worship me with your food fads and health clubs and cars, with your house you could put in a show,
where friends are not welcome for they might make a mess, for they're not always careful you know

Worship me when you're lonely, in need of a friend, but people are not as expected.
They've got problems and sadness, and trouble with life; it's not your fault if they are neglected
Worship me with New Age, and Children of Earth, (bodies that all mankind will applaud),
but these bodies are not what at first they appear, for their goodness is only a shallow veneer;
at the mention of God they will rise up and sneer, for they do not acknowledge the Lord

Oh! I lust after people who think they are good, but disobey all Christ's commands.
Why! repent and baptise ..... ? We have done nothing wrong. We are good and it's on that we stand.
Just believe in a God who keeps all men from Hell whether they've received Jesus or not.
Just keep on believing you just need to be good, and in Hell, and with me you will rot.

Worship me when you're grateful you're not other men, for you give to the poor and the needy
not a lot, not a tithe, no you don't believe that; it's just men in the church being greedy.
For it's you, then it's yours, then it's all that you need to be decent, respected and proud,
then you'll put in your pound so that others can see, and can learn from a good man how good they should be,
though with dignity, nothing too loud.

You love all tradition, and know it must stay, you're a man with a mission to keep newness at bay.
You despise upraised arms, out of place in the church, all this rubbish can do is to blacken, besmirch.
You know God, and his likes, you like things as they are, and this dancing and shouting has gone far too far.

You believe that your coldness has much to desire, and that when God looks down he sees much to admire.
You hate shaking hands, and you're sure God agrees, for you came here to worship and fall to your knees.
As for laughter, well Jesus just never did that, and on this point alone you will keep his diktat

How I hate you, you fool, but I want you to stay, how I loathe and detest you, but don't go away,
For my kingdom is made up of fools such as you, and I needs must should keep you for my endless zoo.
Earthen vessels of evil from which I draw life, wellsprings of bitterness, envy and strife,
people of darkness, riddled with sin, washed on the outside but filthy within,
whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones, hushed and polite but stifling moans,
empty as death, and robbed of the prize, given to those you can't help but despise

So my slave, there it is, or some insight at least. It will do you for now, 'til you come to my feast.
What a day that will be, almost worth my demise, I shall laugh 'til I'm sick at the sound of your cries.
I'm so glad I have told you, but it just isn't fair, you don't know who I am, or believe I am there.

But, don't listen to Jesus, just listen to me, for this I ensure, you will never be free.
For Jesus is Truth, He's The Light and The Way, He's your Priest and your Shepherd, your brightness of day,
He's the hope of the world, you're the love of His life, He gives peace, lifts your burden, and keeps you from strife
He's the Bright Morning Star, He's the First and the Last, He's your Judge and your Saviour who forgives you your past
He is gentle and kind, He's the converse of me. Don't listen to Jesus, He sets Captives Free.

Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you Free.