“So they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26). Catching a mouse by baiting the trap with cheese is cunning.
The careless critter is lured to the precious morsel while ignoring the trap that will spring and end life.
We are often like the unsuspecting mouse hungry to gratify fleshly appetites, making us easy prey for the devil. He “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
This battle between flesh and spirit is ongoing, so how can we escape, or better yet, avoid the devil’s trap?
The cravings of the human flesh and its sensual desires are part of the war between flesh and spirit. Like soldiers in a spiritual battle, we are called to please our Commanding Officer more than satisfy our flesh, a daunting task.
Paul writes to young pastor Timothy, his spiritual son, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs but tries to please his commanding officer” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
With the guardrails of Scripture, humility from a pure heart, and the pursuit of holiness, the devil’s traps won’t seem so alluring.
Paul, suffering persecution and chained in prison for preaching the gospel, encouraged Timothy to endure hardships. “Be strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1).
Suffering unjustly, Paul knew the power of God’s grace and appealed to Timothy to follow his example in fighting the good fight of faith.
This higher purpose was not only for his own salvation but for others ensnared in the devil’s clutches. “Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:10).
Therefore, Paul said to “endure everything” because “if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
One of the devil’s traps, common to all people, is how we respond to being hurt, insulted, or not getting our way. Often unkind words follow.
Paul warned Timothy three times against quarreling. “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14).
Our words either bring life or death. Quarrels are ultimately the response to selfish pride. The Message translation says it clearly, quarrels “come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves” (James 4:1, 2).
Jesus said, “The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18). Paul repeats the same warning about arguments. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23).
The black stuff of pride erupts out of impurity and selfishness. Instead, we are to cultivate a pure heart before God. “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
The repeated emphasis on avoiding quarrels continues in verse 24, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Some of the first words toddlers learn are “no” and “mine.” Left undisciplined, the self-centered focus of the human heart carries the same kind of pride that caused the devil to be cast out of God’s presence.
You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth (Ezekiel 28:15, 17).
Pride is not a godly attribute but something God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).
C. S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, points out that “the utmost evil is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: It is the complete anti-God state of mind.”
Pride triggers quarrels. Lewis continues, “Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good — above all, that we are better than someone else — I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the devil” (Mere Christianity).
So, is it any wonder that quarrels and arguments stem from our self-centeredness, the ugly old monster of pride?
The antithesis to pride is growing in the teachings of God’s Word that will transform the inner character” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Correctly handling the word of truth will diminish pride and increase godliness because “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture opens our awareness to the devil’s schemes of false teachings (2 Timothy 2:16-18).
Knowledge of Scripture will guard against misapplication and false teaching. It will also develop the ability to conquer the selfishness of pride and yield the character of humility, like that of Jesus. The great preacher, John R. W. Stott, said, “Pride is your greatest enemy; humility is your greatest friend.”
Humility submits to God and surrenders an angry tongue to kindness. Humility serves God’s purposes first. The world tells us to get our own way, don’t forgive, and hate our enemy.
But Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). That kind of godly character will gain God’s approval and enable self-control.
Responding to hardships, hurts, oppositions, and insults provide a spiritual training field that, with submission to the Lord, establishes a purity of heart and holiness of character.
Those who cleanse themselves… will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
I hope you will read the second chapter of 2 Timothy and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you with even more personal insights and applications than I have given in this text.
Taming the tongue and keeping from quarrels is part of the transformation that happens as we submit to God’s Word that teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This training will help us gently respond to offenders by God’s grace.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
Kindness overcomes quarrels. Humility conquers pride. Holiness pleases God. Scripture will equip us to escape the devil’s traps and enable us to, by our virtuous example, encourage others to come to the truth.
With the guardrails of Scripture, humility from a pure heart, and the pursuit of holiness, the devil’s traps won’t seem so alluring (2 Timothy2:22-26).
For further reading:
Why Do Some People Say ‘The Devil Made Me Do It'?
How Can I ‘Resist the Devil’ and Cause Him to Flee?
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