The Seduction of the Heart – Part Two
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” - Proverbs 28:26a (KJV)
It has been said that everybody has played the fool at sometime in their lives. The only exception to this rule is the One that rules the universe: Jesus Christ. Other than our Lord, we all have made foolish choices. I submit to you that a fool’s art is a seduced heart. In order to prevent ourselves from becoming fools, we must inoculate our hearts from seduction’s insidious infection.
The first step in preventing our hearts from being seduced is to consider the meaning of seduction. Seduction means to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty or to be led astray. If you think that you are incapable of being seduced, I encourage you to remember the Apostle Paul’s warning to the Corinthian believers: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12; KJV). Even King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived also played the fool. Remember that King Solomon was instructed by God to not have multiple wives (Deuteronomy 17:17). Why? Because of the influence of his foreign wives, King Solomon was persuaded to be disobedient and disloyal to God. As a result, he was led astray from his relationship with God.
“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” - 1 Kings 11:1-4 (KJV)
Let’s consider another extraordinary example of foolishness on display: the angel Lucifer. Note that the source of his decision to defy God came from a heart of seduction. A heart that is not mastered by the Master, surrendered and sold out to the Spirit of God is a slave to seduction. I submit to you that it was Lucifer's seduced heart that influenced his (I) problem and ultimately persuaded him to be disobedient, disloyal and led astray from his office and service to God.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” - Isaiah 14:12-14 (KJV, emphasis mine)
Did you notice that Lucifer indicted himself with the letter “I” five times? Furthermore, the letter “I” is also found in a five letter word that is a product of seduction: PRIDE!
I encourage you to ponder this point: A seductive heart produces a partnership with pride which, in turn, submits us to the very influence that seduced Satan and stole his heart.
To avoid being persuaded by pride, we must purpose in our hearts to avoid seduction and select surrendership to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember that out of the heart flows life’s decisions. These are decisions that impact our lives as well as the lives around us including our present and future! Therefore, we must be dedicated to diligently guard our hearts from seduction. Satan will utilize his ungodly influence in a plethora of platforms: industry, communications, entertainment, education, relationships, spirituality, traditions, politics etc. He is the god of this world and this world is saturated and sunk in the seditiousness of seduction.
To avoid being seduced by Satan’s influence, you must consistently take heed to the Spirit of God that is in you. Renew your mind with His spirit and hide His word in your heart and you will shield yourself from a seductive heart.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR