6 Ways to Keep Clear of the Quicksand

2 Timothy 3:3

2 Timothy 3:3 lists 6 traps that appear so obvious that a Christ-follower would never fall into them—right?

[People will be] … unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good…. – 2 Timothy 3:3 (NASB)

But what if the edges of these 6 traps are less like gaping pits and much more subtle—like hidden quicksand? Maybe that step doesn’t even seem that unreasonable: I’m only like that with that one impossible person, or I only respond that way when I’m ______, or This time it’s justified because of what that person did.

I’ve only ever seen quicksand in the movies, but it seems like no one ever walks into it on purpose.

Good news! Christ can free us!

And what if you don’t find yourself ensnared by these particular traps?

Good news! The following invites to living in Christ are so life-giving, that you’ll find yourself becoming fully capable and equipped for every good work! (See 2 Timothy 3:10-12, 14-17.)

Freedom is Available in Christ

Trap #1: Unloving

Freedom in Christ:

• We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19 (NASB)
• Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. – Romans 12:9 (NLT)
• Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. – 1 John 4:7 (NASB)
• Also see Colossians 3:14; Mathew 5:44-48; Mark 12:31.

Trap #2: Irreconcilable

Freedom in Christ:

• Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…. – Ephesians 4:12 (NASB)
• So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. – Colossians 3:12-13 (NASB)
• Also see Galatians 5:22.

Trap #3: Malicious Gossips

Freedom in Christ:

• “… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
• … be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. – 1 Timothy 3:11 (NASB)
• … be reverent in… behavior, not malicious gossips…, teaching what is good. – Titus 2:3 (NASB)
• … speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16 (NASB)

Trap #4: Without Self-Control

Freedom in Christ:

• For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…. – Romans 8:6 (NASB)
• … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
• For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Trap #5: Brutal

Freedom in Christ:

• … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
• Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. – Philippians 4:5 (NLT)

Trap #6: Haters of Good

Freedom in Christ:

• Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. – Romans 12:9 (NLT)

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See Related Posts:

• Freedom Invites for You
• 7 Invites to Life, Peace & Joy (2 Timothy 3:2)
• 8 Ways Life in Christ is Different

Photo credit, man on mountain: Nghia Le on Unsplash