INSIDIOUS BEHAVIOR
INTRODUCTION
Insidious behavior is acting or proceeding in a seemingly harmless manner but eventually doing great damage. Such actions are similar to the enemy of one's soul (Satan), who is deceptive in nature until he finds the right bait to hook his intended victim.
Ungodliness has been around a long time but far exceeds yesteryear; as new methods of spreading its influence have become worldwide through modern day technology. There is an attempt to make it seem not as bad as it really is with the serious of it masked over with flowery words.
Insidious Behavior
Foundational Structure
Insidious behavior is chipping away at the foundational structure that nations once stood firmly upon because of godly men who kept God in the forefront. Sayings which affirm such a stand: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity; religion and morality are indispensable (George Washington). The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests (Andrew Jackson). Moral habits cannot be safely trusted on any other foundation than religious principle (Daniel Webster).
Statements of the past are fading away with insidious behavior having diminished there effectiveness! A society that is embracing a cancel and submissive culture is attempting to divert young minds towards acceptance of newly proclaimed ideologies. Churches are beginning to indulge in tolerance and acceptance of lifestyles condemned in God's Word.
Insidious Behavior
of the World
We, as Christians have to make a decision to avoid the insidious behavior that is beguiling and ungodly in nature; with such inducements appearing as desirable, pleasant to the eyes, and attainable, as the forbidden fruit received (by deception) in the Garden of Eden.
Scripture reveals: When the woman (Eve) saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant (a desirable thing) to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband (Adam) with her: and he did eat (Genesis 3:6).
Evaluation Process of
the Mind
What the woman (Eve) saw was an evaluation process of the mind, that the tree was good for food (an appeal to the appetite); it was pleasant to the eyes (to be coveted); and desired to make one wise (another form of coveting) despite God's command was not partake of it, in saying: Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it, for in the day that you eat thereof you shall die (Genesis 2:17).
Insidious pleasures make for insidious appetites; just as sin leads one down a pathway that is attainable; but not to be partaken of. Sin has been cultivated in our society towards acceptability; without regard to God's Word, just as in the Garden of Eden where those involved were blinded to the truth. Satan is still active today in his insidious work; to beguile all who will allow themselves to be entertained by sin.
Sin will do three things in one's life: It will take one where they never intended to go; it will keep one longer than they intended to stay; and it will cost one more than they intended to pay. Sin is costly business that separates people from God; however, genuine repentance brings forgiveness and restoration with God.
Ungodly Organizations
and Individuals
Insidious behavior is spreading; with the insidious nature of ungodly organizations, and individuals, who promote ungodly agenda. Many nations have become as Babylon; the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit.
Scripture reveals: For all nations had drunk the wine of the wrath of her (Babylon's) fornication; and and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are (have become) waxed (grown) rich through the abundance of her delicacies (luxury) (Revelation 18:3). Babylon's sins were addressed by plagues of death, mourning, and famine, in one day; to be utterly burned with fire. Believers were warned not to share in her sins and thereby receive part of her judgment.
Scripture tells us that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). The wrath is not the revelation of a future judgment of God but a present revelation that parallels the present revelation of God's righteousness. Ungodliness is failure in the religious realm; unrighteousness is failure in the moral sphere or injustice toward man.
Insidious Nature of Sin
The insidious nature of sin is being promoted; at first in a deceptive manner, then openly flaunted for all. There is no longer any shame in the defilement of God's Word. Sin is running rampant and is condoned by the leadership of many nations.
Scripture reveals: The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). The penalty of sin is death, both spiritual and physical. It was noted that the moment Adam sinned he died spiritually. This emphasized that Adam no longer had his previous fellowship with God; was forbidden further access to the Garden of Eden, a literal paradise on earth, and later physical death which before was not a factor.
God's Word proclaims: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but the that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Galatians 6:7-8). Reap is to be recompensed; sowing to the flesh (the insidious behavior of sin) will not escape divine punishment, unless repentance comes into focus.
God's Provision
God has tossed mankind a lifeline; to either be taken hold of; or rejected. One's final destiny lies with that choice! The choice is either Heaven or Hell. When one receives Christ into their life; a newness of life comes into focus, being born again (spiritually), freed of one's former insidious behavior in a life of sin, and headed for a heavenly reward!
Scripture reveals: This is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do (do not practice) the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
Sin became a reality in the Garden of Eden when man became disobedient to God's Word. God made a provision for mankind; through the sacrificial giving of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross of Calvary. He was raised from the dead on the third day. He sits on the right hand of God, His Father, as our advocate (intercessor), after having made an atonement for our sins.
Life of the Believer
in Christ
Scripture reveals that by the mercies of God, the believer is the present your bodies a living sacrifice, (no longer holding to insidious behavior), holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
It was noted that God's guidance or direction is to be in all of life's decisions. The believer is to evaluate every decision on the basis of biblical principles knowing that obedience brings God's blessing. The body that had been an instrument of sin is now presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifested.
Scripture reveals: Now being made free from sin, and becoming servant (committed) of God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Romans 6:22). The believer is not to be conformed to this world; resisting being poured into the mode of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world.
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