Sneezeweed

Some chapel flowers a few months back included a fine spray of Helenium, named after Helen of Troy, the famed beauty. The plant’s common name is sneezeweed, on account of its dried leaves or petals used in the manufacture of snuff. It was inhaled to cause sneezing, while older usage purported to help rid the body of evil spirits.

I believe demons are real and that the Bible clearly teaches they may strongly influence behaviours and even inhabit human bodies. Yet they cannot, presumably, be so easily removed. An even more immovable source of sin than clinging demons is our sinful natures. These may be limited, crucified, ignored and curtailed, but they shall never leave the body until first goes our spirit. Death is not just removal from earth, it is our separation from the source of our selfish desires. No amount of sneezing could do otherwise.