Beware of the hidden sin that pretends to be innocent. that disguises itself in sheep’s clothing. Once you open your door to it, it reveals its true nature, showing its teeth like a wolf.
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)
- It may appear to you as something honorable, especially if you are a member of a church. It encourages you to excel in your service, spending hours preparing what you will say or planning projects for those in need. While all this seems good, it can distract you from your primary goal, which is to be in a personal relationship with God. Eventually, you may realize that this service has consumed all your time, leaving none for your spiritual connection. Don’t be deceived by this, because Jesus himself said
These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Luke 11:42)
- In a similar vein, if you’re a family-oriented person, you may find yourself constantly working to support your loved ones. However, it seems like there’s always an endless amount of work in our generation. Satan has a way of convincing you to bring your work home, making it seem necessary. You might even justify it by telling yourself that you’re not engaging in sinful activities like watching pornography. But in reality, Satan’s plan is to fill every minute of your life to the point of exhaustion, preventing you from praying and connecting with heaven, where your true power lies.
- Another situation that can be honorable is if you’re a married man and you have to take care of a sick woman at work, church, or elsewhere. You might accompany her to appointments and run errands for her because she genuinely needs the help. It may seem justified, but then things get comfortable and she invites you in. Here, you’ll realize that Satan has played a role in both of your lives. She isn’t evil, and perhaps she never thought things would escalate to this point. Yet, both of you sat at the top of a double slide, convincing yourselves that you would never fall. However, gravity took care of the rest.
Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? (Proverbs 6:27)
- Another Wolf in sheep’s clothing, when Satin pretends to care about your feelings and acts as if no one understands you, including your spouse, it can be frustrating. They give you the silent treatment and disregard your physical needs. Then Satin tries to convince you that all men need sex and that it’s okay to seek solace online if you’re being ignored. You deserve better treatment from your spouse; they may not understand you, but I do.
Indulging in pornography won’t solve the issue of being ignored. If there’s anything you can do to fix this, it’s getting closer to God instead of drifting away. The only way to resolve problems with another person is by seeking guidance from the one who has ultimate control over both of you. God can work things out for your benefit and for your spouse’s as well. He can bring you closer together. How this happens is a matter of faith. Your spouse goes through personal and professional challenges that are beyond your control, but only God can oversee and change the circumstances in her life to work in your favor and hers too, so peace can be back to your family.
- Another Wolf in sheep’s clothing is when we commit sins that may not appear as sins to us. Our minds label them as something else and we believe in that new name without considering the fact that it is a sin. Just like David, when he sinned, he thought that being the king allowed him to do anything. He believed that getting rid of Uriah and bringing Bathsheba to his castle was a smart move. Little did he know, he was falling deeper into sin. If he had known, he probably wouldn’t have done it. But each sin was disguised in good clothing, tricking him into falling further. In this, God says:
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)
- Another Wolf in sheep’s clothing is when Satan stops the fight altogether. He gives you a break, making you think you have won. You believe that God listened to your prayers and granted you salvation quickly. As a result, you start praying less and going to church less. You think you have mastered this, not knowing that Satan is tricking you. When he sees your desire to escape him, he stops the fight so you can catch your breath. He plays with you, like a cat playing with a mouse before eating it. He stops the fight so that you won’t hate pornography and thinks it’s the reason your life is messed up. He convinces you that your life is fine, just like everyone else’s, and that you can stop anytime you want. You believe him. But after a short break, he introduces you to new images, websites, or experiences that you’ve never seen before. And he enters the fight more determined to make you fall than ever before.
My friend, this battle is ongoing. I’ve mentioned before that it becomes easier if you persist with patience and continue doing what you started. But this battle won’t stop because Satan won’t stop. You need to keep doing what sets you free in the first place. You need to remain in Him. Maybe these words feel heavy right now, but I can assure you that the closer you get to Him, the more you will taste the sweetness of life with Jesus. You will reach a point where you can effortlessly add more to your prayers and spend more time with Him. You will say like what’s in Song of Songs 5:16.
His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Songs 5:16).
Have you ever thought about how monks and apostles devoted their lives to Jesus in the desert? They abandoned everything to follow him, just like us. Despite having needs and emotions similar to ours, Jesus provided for them. He was their ultimate love.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
No matter the emotions that are weighing you down, he will meet them and leave you wanting for nothing. He will fulfill his promise to provide you with water that will nourish you forever.
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14)
- Another Wolf in sheep’s clothing is when satin trying to persuade you that this is a normal and healthy habit. And that you are free to do anything you want.
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:19)
If everyone is doing Masturbation, then it is considered normal and not a sin. But if it is truly normal, why are we reading these words now? Why do we struggle to stop? Why are there millions of voices saying it’s not normal, despite those who claim it is?
Generally, if you honestly give it some thought, you know what is right. Anything that no one talks about is normal. Anything that becomes a debate is not normal because one party has to be correct and the other is trying to justify their claim. Now, if the same debate happens in different countries with different backgrounds, you know that this subject is definitely not normal.
If it were truly normal, everyone would agree without question. Sex in marriage is normal; no one can argue against that. However, sex outside of marriage sparks a lot of debate. Eating is normal; no one questions the act of eating. But eating something without cooking it properly is not normal and invites debate. Driving is normal; we never hear of someone getting in trouble for simply driving. However, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving are not normal and have caused a lot of debate.
The same action can be seen as normal when it is done correctly. But when there is a lot of debate about using the same object for a different purpose, you know it’s not normal. The same goes for your genitals. They have a specific use and are shaped to fit that use. If they are used accordingly, then that is normal and you don’t feel guilt about it. Once you start using them differently and try to justify it by saying it’s normal, deep down, you’re not convinced. It troubles you, which is why you want to convince yourself that it’s normal so you can regain your inner peace.
- Another Wolf in sheep’s clothing is when we care a lot about others’ opinions. Sometimes, you go to places with friends and trying to act like them so you don’t feel left out. You’re always trying to fit in and be like the others. You think you need to have a girlfriend, have sex, party, and try the things your friends talk about. But because you’re shy and not open to society, you close your door and let your imagination run wild, taking you place you can’t physically go.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Daniel dared to be different. Despite being a slave, he refused to blindly obey his masters. He could have used his powerless position as an excuse, being a slave in a foreign land under a different ruler.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank (Daniel 1:8)
God blessed him as a result, earning him the respect of these kings. He became the wise man whom the king sought in times of trouble.
keep praying for 5 minutes (step1)
May add 5 more minutes (step 2)
Win this battle.
