Yesterday, we looked at Paul’s description of end time days being full of people who are lovers of themselves and how this self-enthroned living can lead to most of the other characteristics he lists in 2 Tim 3:1-5.

I think it is important to be on guard to some of the ways the evil one slyly entices us to overly focus on self to our own detriment and the detriment of those around us.

Because most sin starts in our mind, before it is ever part of our behavior, God tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor 10:5)

If we can recognize and extinguish the fiery darts of wrong thinking (Eph 6:16), and teach others to do the same, we could avoid much of the destruction the enemy intends for our lives.

But remember, the deceiver is sly. His words often sound good on the surface. Things like—

“You are enough”
“You deserve to be happy”

But the truth is, we aren’t enough. Deep down we know this. Our flesh can try to be enough in a thousand different ways. We can even be enticed to choose some sinful ways to try to be enough if we aren’t careful. But when we remember, that because of Jesus, we don’t have to be, we can walk in joy and freedom!

And we all want to be happy, but when we think we deserve to be happy at any cost, we are likely to hurt ourselves and others.

“You deserve to be happy. Your husband is insensitive. He doesn’t listen to you like Joe does. Go have lunch with Joe. It’s only lunch.”

“You deserve to be happy. You’ve got so much on you. Why not have one more drink and forget your troubles for a little bit?”

Watch for it! Watch for the sly, evil whispers of the enemy and take your thoughts captive so you can extinguish those fiery darts and not get burned!

And so you won’t be “gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:6-7)

Oh friends, let’s walk in truth!!

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