10/05/2022
30+/30 CHALLENGE: "FOOLISH FASCINATIONS:
We may think that the ever-present debilitating snare of spiritually “falling” is something that lies at distance far away from us; when actually, it is a crippling hazard that ever lurks presently around us, given the fact Scripture reminds the Christ follower that we reside in a spiritual sphere that is formidably and relentless hostile to us.
Although too commonly we are not living attentively aware of this ever present and pervasive danger, 1 John 2:16 yet continually alerts us of its looming presence: ”For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
And consequently, when we allow ourselves to become seduced and distracted by the world’s diverting influences for prolonged periods of time; or to become spiritually blinded by colluding and unifying with their endeavors; then we have foolishly positioned ourselves at the cliff edge of imminent spiritual disaster and are poised to fall.
Moreover, by ignoring the Spirit’s continual warning promptings and neglecting the redirecting and corrective counsel of the Word of God, obviously we place ourselves in the position to become completely victimized by our ever-lurking spiritual enemies.
To be sure, it is typically the case that we totally fail to understand and utterly completely underestimate the true power of influence of “the world.”
Due to our failure to remain spiritually alert and spiritually vigilant to its seductive influences, routinely, we find ourselves drawn to its alluring offering, only to be ultimately, suddenly caught in it spiritually perilous snare.
“Beware of the World!” This timeless spiritual truth principle is the primary application focus point that is presented in the main text.
INSIDIOUS INFLUENCES
We (Christ followers) must never forget that the lurking Spector of “sin” is ever present before us, both originating from our fallen nature of depravity or approaching us from manifold directions in the fallen sphere (“the world”) around us.
A key aspect of this soul-crippling and life debilitating spiritual malady is its “insidious” nature. The word “insidious” simply means: ”awaiting a chance to entrap,” or “harmful but seductively enticing.”
As such, pertaining the present main account, the characterization of its shown here is quite instructionally befitting. It profile is also akin to the similar spiritual character of “leaven” as defined in biblical context.
Comparatively, then, the timeless bible truth principle regarding the insidious nature of cloaked sin is plainly described in 1 Corinthians 5:6b – “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”..more (online article)
www.helmentsshield.com/E-Devotional-2022-31.html
