SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 2 Peter 2.

Scripture

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” –2 Peter 2:20

Observation

Escape: to flee from
Defilements: pollutes, contaminates

World (kosmos): the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ (Vines dictionary).

Entangled: To interweave
Overcome: to be made less, inferior, overcome

The world defiles us. We must flee and escape its snares. But once we’re free, we must never go back and allow it to capture us. If we do, that condition is worse than had we never known the way of the Lord.

Application

It is possible for a person who knows the Lord to become really messed up by the world. The pull of the world is often stronger on older people than on the younger. But the world and its ways defile us. Greed, pride, selfishness, sensuality–these things are not right for a bond-servant of Christ.

I must guard my heart from worldliness and never think the world could not ensnare me some time in the future.

Prayer

Father, the world is ever present, seeking to squeeze me into its mold. But it is so opposite of Your kingdom! And Your kingdom is so much more wonderful, more satisfying, more fulfilling.

I have chosen Your way. I can’t imagine ever going back to the world because You have the words of eternal life. But I acknowledge how easily I can be deceived by the world’s ways. They are seductive and deceitful. Might my soul always be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit and might You have my whole heart lest, unawares to me, I fall into the traps of the world and become ensnared by them. I will love not the world so that You might have my whole heart.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.