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Christian Snares
| In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they
may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken
captive by him at his will. - 2 Timothy 2:25-26
There are various ways a Christian can come to be trapped in a
condition that either keeps his maturity retarded or even pits him
against other Christians. The key to escape is truth.
Divisions - This is cited as proof of immaturity (1Cor 3:3). While most
snares make use of the immaturity and other influences of the flesh,
This has contributed to the deaths of millions (consider the religious
wars in Europe in the 1600s). Seeing oneself as “right” can really
boost self-righteousness. This leads to contempt for others (Luke 18:9).
Laziness - Perhaps the easiest way to get a Christian trapped in a
snare is to convince him that he has met all of the Christian
requirements. For example, having been baptized, confirmed, said a
special prayer, attended church services, or “really” repented can be
taken as having secured a heavenly destination and, with nothing else
required, one can turn their attention to other matters.
Academia - For those who are inclined to dig deeper into Christianity
the direction is often made to seminary. Here the academic disciplines
of categorization, classification, systematization, and labeling give
the illusion of understanding. It is not uncommon for one to be so
drawn into the speculations of other academics that one begins even to
doubt the bible itself.
Zeal - Enthusiasm can be found without an actual basis (Rom 10:2).
Often this is a sort of self-stimulation that is used to create
pleasurable emotional sensations. One can also demonstrate their zeal
in ways as to accrue to themselves the admiration others might have for
their obvious piety. In a way it can become theater in the way of the
hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Control - In any collective, even one as small as a church, there will
be those who want to control others. This can be done with rule
enforcement, gossip, bullying, seduction, or even manipulating approval
or disapproval.
Being able to recognize others who are entangled to some degree with
various snares can help one avoid unpleasant encounters. However, for
one to be able to recognize that he himself is dealing with a snare is
indeed liberating. The key is truth and the ability to control one’s
emotions such that truth has a higher priority than wanting to feel
good, comfortable, or superior.
There are some so blind to truth that they will not admit that there
are differences between men and women. It was a similar self-inflicted
blindness that Jesus wanted to protect his disciples from by warning
them against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The most difficult snare
to escape from is the one that you do not know you are in. There are
many elements in the flesh that can keep us snared and even defend our
captivity. The best overall way to diminish the flesh is to seek the
good of others over that of self.
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should
not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them,
and rose again.
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