Mike Parsons
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The cost of shortcuts
If I look at my life personally and reflect on where I have exchanged one thing for another, often these ‘shortcuts’ are presented as opportunities, but there is always a cost involved.
[Questioner: “This question came from your book, Unconditional Love.”]
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Lucifer traded his heavenly position
Before the fall of the world, Lucifer fell from his position as an angel of light and music bearer of heaven. This fall arose from “I will” statements: “I will ascend,” “I will be like God.” His jealousy stemmed from his understanding of man’s role in creation, particularly as sons of God. He left his appointed role, which was to help mankind ascend. Having walked in the fire of God and the garden of God, he knew his purpose was to reflect God’s glory to mankind. Yet he chose a different path. In effect, he traded his heavenly position for a false aspiration of ascent—resulting in his fall into darkness and deception, losing his rightful role concerning mankind.
When considering trading or exchanging things, I focus on the positive side. Trading can happen in a covenant relationship, such as our covenant with God, where “what is His is ours, and what is ours is His.” If I give myself to God, I receive from Him. However, the negative side appears when we accept shortcuts that lead to harmful consequences. There is always a cost to taking a shortcut, in relationship with God.
One example is when Lucifer tempted Jesus in the wilderness: “You can be above all these things if you bow down to me.” That was a shortcut—a trade for a deceptive, false position that would have cost Jesus His true position and authority. Thankfully, Jesus resisted temptation in a way Eve did not, by quoting God, His Father.
The true cost is hidden
We all have weaknesses and needs in life where trades might function—these are not just spiritual but practical. For example, intimacy is a core human need. Pornography can become a substitute, a shortcut that results in addiction and loss of genuine intimacy. The same dynamic applies to finances, power, or position—“I will give you this if you pay this cost.” Often, the true cost is hidden beneath deception.
I recall early in my ministry when I helped plant a church. The main leader took advantage of my desire to serve full-time and got me to do all sorts of his dirty work. Looking back, I realise I traded my integrity and position for his approval and the prestige of that role. Though it was 30 years ago, I regret doing some of those things—not necessarily bad things, just things he didn’t want to do. I took on roles that weren’t mine, and it ultimately diminished my own value and worth.
There are many such trading floors that people fall into when they don’t know or aren’t secure in their true identity. The enemy exploits our insecurities and needs to trap us in behaviours that contradict who we really are. If you know who you are, you won’t fall for such traps.
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