The Depravity of Mankind Is A Trap

Commentary

Satan has studied mankind for thousands of years. He knows exactly what we are capable of, understanding our depraved nature and selfishness. He is able to easily exploit us because of this.

The unbelievers of this world are his easiest targets. They are spiritual zombies who lack the ability to control their urges. They are much quicker to revert to abusive words and violence when they are challenged, only looking out for themselves first. Without Jesus in a person’s life, it’s all about them first.

But since our flesh is so corrupt, even a believer can fall into this trap. All it takes is removing your focus off of Jesus and being too focused on this world. Satan and his demons are always looking to pounce on a believer who has allowed themselves to become distracted. And the distracted believer will start to revert to their old ways if they stray from God too long.

But in Job’s case, God knew that Job’s heart was sound in the Lord and that no matter how much Satan destroyed his life, he would never behave like others. You and I should strive to be “Jobs”, keeping our hearts so trained on the Lord, that come trial and tribulation, you will no doubt pass the testing of your faith.

Commentary

Sodom was a poster city for human depravity. Not only were the people there engaging in every type of sin, the males, both men and boys, were proudly and openly practicing homosexuality (Ezekiel 16:49-50). Genesis 19 tells us that the men were pounding on the door of Lot’s home, demanding that he send those two visitors (the angels) out so that they could rape them.

Lot’s behavior is a prime example of a real believer who made a very poor choice. Lot seemingly had allowed his morals to be compromised by the depraved culture around him, and he almost harmed his own daughters by his compromised morals.

When you get too mixed into the world, it becomes easy to lose sight of Jesus. The corrupt morals of the culture can start to rub off on you. In your compromised state, you will make bad choices, some that might even hurt the ones you love most.

Commentary

Paul wanted to send someone for ministry to the church in Philippi, but from the sounds of it, was struggling to find true disciples of Jesus to send to them for ministering to their needs.

Paul wrote to Timothy about one such person, Demas, a man who was a trusted companion of Paul’s for some time, but who had at some point left Paul, abandoning him in a time of need. Scripture seems to indicate that Demas not only abandoned Paul, but also the faith. This is a tragic situation that has become all too common.

Today’s organized church is filled with spiritual people, those who attend church on Sunday and then the rest of the week live for themselves. There is a real lack of true disciples of Christ. Selfishness and depravity have become a trap, and many don’t even know that the trap is about to snare them. If you know someone like this in your church or in your life, pray that they will see the error of their ways and turn to Jesus.

Commentary

I refer to the first five verses of 2 Timothy a lot, because frankly we are living in the last days that the Bible speaks of. Our day is filled with all sorts of depravity and selfishness. Social media and the internet have become a gallery of the art of self-love and perversion. Never in history has there been a worldwide medium for displaying to everyone just how much you love yourself and sin.

As believers, we are tasked with navigating this world, with the shrewdness of serpents, but with the gentleness of doves. We must put on the armor of God each day so that we can withstand the evils of our day. It’s far too easy for our flesh to get us tangled up into what this world is doing.

Platforms like social media can be used as excellent witnessing tools, but be careful, they are built to addict people and you will get caught in their trap if you are not wise and staying grounded in God’s Word.

The life of the believer is to be a life driven by Jesus’ desires first and not of your own desires. This is a life that is geared toward the building up of others, especially fellow believers. A life of self-sacrifice, rather than selfishness.

Commentary

TThose resistant to living for Christ will only trap themselves. In their selfish desires, the depravity that permeates their flesh will continue to get them hurt and those around them. We can see this manifested very much so in government and leadership around this world. People who claim to know what is good and just are only perverting it to suit their own agendas.

If you have the Holy Spirit living inside you, then you, my friend, have been given the ability to understand, not only true justice, but all things that the Lord opens your eyes and ears to. We are on this earth to push back against all of the depravity of mankind, by the power of the Holy Spirit, until He has stepped out of the way, the Lord has taken His Church home, and the seven years of God’s wrath fall upon this earth. That day may not be too far away, so live each day as if Jesus is coming to take you home and do not open yourself up to the traps set by wicked people.