Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
There are three big snares and traps… that can exist even later in life. The lust of the flesh. The lust of the eyes. The pride of life. Many ‘renowned’ Christian leaders have not ‘finished’ well, and have fallen into one of these snares, even into their 60’s and 70’s. Why? What is so important and required in spiritual maturity? Ongoing intimacy and humility with God. It is SO easy to fall into … religious routine and formula. The enemy stealthily creeps into the ‘little’ cracks of our lives. Sins involving our sexual desires and bodily / fleshly drives. Sins involving our wrong financial motives, desires, fears, and secret spending splurges. Sins involving fame, notoriety, and thinking our ‘success’ is from our efforts rather than from God’s mercy and favor.
When you have plenty of money, and have risen to position and authority, and have many who ‘adore’ you and want to be around you… because of your ‘standing’, the enemy uses those things to tempt you in the smallest of cracks in your character. Finding great success and fame can be the biggest challenge a person can face… even in the later stages of life. There have been very notable Christian leaders in the past five years who are examples of falling into one of these traps and snares of sin. Leaders who have written well known books and have sat at the pinnacle of Christian organizations and institutional Church organizations have had their ‘secret’ sins exposed. We all should heed their plight and recognize that we have the same vulnerabilities. To be human is to err. Are you aware of the Holy Spirit pointing out your deepest hidden iniquities in your soul? Do you even allow Him to speak to you about them? Are you open to the Holy Spirit exposing those areas in you?
Pride. A man’s BIG crack in his armor. Thinking more of himself than he ought to. To be able to actually address our own weakness in this area with ourselves AND with others… with honesty AND transparency.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3
Pride leads to so many bad ‘rabbit trails’ in one’s life. Can you ask God where pride sits in your soul? What is it that you take ‘pride’ in? Has it become an idol in your life? Are you even honest with yourself?
Lust of the flesh is another major challenge for anyone who has a … body. How do we keep ourselves in …check? By dragging it ALL into the … light? By confessing it to another?
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16
Can you actually share with your spouse … your weaknesses in this area of your life? Or is it the one thing you NEVER discuss with them? This is a major issue if not kept on a ‘short leash’. Can you confess the temptations you face …with your spouse? With anyone? Secret sins and iniquities in our souls are the enemy’s playground. Can you bring them into the light? Can you speak them out loud?
Father we NEED YOU! Jesus we want to KNOW YOU in even more intimate ways. Holy Spirit I give you permission to speak to me about my sin and iniquities, please create in me a ‘clean heart’.