Do Not Be Seduced By The World
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO
My Friends,
This is far more serious then I think many realize. Satan has the ability to seduce to us, trick us, mislead us and then devour us. We need to stay attentive to what is going on around us at all times. Let us just think about this for a moment; if I were to tell you that a specific car or bus was destined to be in a horrific accident and you will be amongst the dead if you are in that vehicle, would you knowingly get into that vehicle, put your seat-belt on and ride it anyway? Of cause not! It's just like our lives in this world, if we remain seat-belted to it, it will end in a horrific accident and we will be amongst the dead. Sometimes we need to just trust our instincts, and run the other way. Look at Matthew 7:13, ""Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
But Thank God we have our bible, and the Holy Spirit and Godly brothers and sisters to help guide us along the way. We are also very fortunate to have a list to go by, it's not the most complete list, but it's a very helpful outline that should and could help save our lives one day. The list I am referring to is, The Seven Deadly Sins. Not only will they make you unclean before God, but if we are entangled in them at our death, we will for all eternity pay the ultimate price. Each sin in it's own way has the innate ability to find a way into our lives. The Seven Deadly Sins are: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth. Some of these may sound too severe for us to be involved, but that's the trickery of the enemy. It's the subtlety of our scurrying around the edge that will be our undoing. Satan need not drag us into the lions den, he just wants us to lean next to cage and peak in; there we are thinking we are safe, then "wham" the lion strikes us down through the bars. And you are dead.
I was in Des Moines, Iowa about three years ago for a couple of weeks training at TMC (it's a truck company), and the trainer made a very insightful observation of a students arrogance and pride. This student thought he was in control and he had all the driving skills he needed to be the best, no matter what the situation was, or where he had to drive. So in the wisdom of the teacher he asked this student a question: "How close to a cliff can you get and still have control of your truck?" In this drivers pride and of cause arrogance he said, "half an inch, easily, maybe closer". Immediately the teacher turned to a student he knew was wiser and smarter and asked him the same question. Do you know what answer that student gave? He said, "I'd stay as far away from that cliff as I can, knowing the possible disastrous outcome, why take the chance." The teacher then told the arrogant student, "I wouldn't trust being in your truck with you, you run the risk of killing both of us."
Pride is the main component here that always seems to underline the other sins and seductions that entangle us, making us think we are in control. "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:12 We must trust in God and make decisions that draw us closer to Jesus, and further away from danger. Why run the risk of eternal damnation all for the thrill of worldly gain? I find no gain in the things of this world. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world." 1 John 2:15-16 We can use the things of this world for God's glory, but let's not allow them to embrace us and engulf us.
The world will seduce you, then at deaths cry it will abandon you.
Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO
