OUTLINE:

Wisdom on Weaknesses (2Co 12:9-11)
Things such as: unforgiveness, judging, jealousy, envy, strife, coveting, doubting, etc…these are all real weaknesses. While the world tries to focus our attention on human weaknesses, such as a lack of strength, intellect, social skills, etc., what we need to understand is that the weaknesses the Bible speaks to are on a different plane.

Col 3:2 –[Amplified]
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

Wisdom on Weaknesses (2Co 12:9-11)
Things such as: unforgiveness, judging, jealousy, envy, strife, coveting, doubting, etc…these are all real weaknesses. While the world tries to focus our attention on human weaknesses, such as a lack of strength, intellect, social skills, etc., what we need to understand is that the weaknesses the Bible speaks to are on a different plane.

MacArthur on 2Co 7:1
False religion panders to the human appetites, represented by both “flesh and spirit.” While some believers for a time might avoid succumbing to fleshly sins associate with false religion, the Christian who exposes his mind to false teaching cannot avoid contamination by the devilish ideologies and blasphemies that assault the purity of divine truth and blaspheme God’s name.

Lk 23:34
But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

How Seduction Works
Seduction doesn’t happen in an instant; it happens slowly - it takes time to supplant norms and standards. If seduction’s true nature were seen right away, you’d be offended by it’s ugliness. Seduction is as patient as it is evil.

Jn 13:26
Jesus then *answered, “[the betrayer] is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Jn 2:24-25 [Amplified Classic]
But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]

Covert Ops
Don’t ever be shocked at where attacks originate from. The most devastating of all are the ones that originate from your inner circle of friends and loved ones. Jesus wasn’t surprised, so neither should you be.

“slaves…of their own appetites”
This refers to individuals who are acting on fleshly instincts to satisfy their own self-interests. They are driven by their desire to please themselves. They are selfish lovers.

Selfish Lovers
They love self, not others, regardless of what comes out of their mouths!!! (e.g., Ps 5:8-9)

“hearts of the unsuspecting”
Refers to those individuals who may lack the wisdom, and therefore the armor (ala Eph 6:11), to properly defend themselves. Selfish lovers are weak, and so they target the weak. They say all the right things to gain their advantage.

Eze 28:17a
[Satan,] your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.

1Co 4:7
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Beware
ANY person who's trying to take you away from the love of God is an ENEMY of God!

"eagerly sought in a commendable manner"
You don't want to be sought any other way. A godly person courts others, to Christ or self (in marriage). An ungodly person seduces others, away from Christ. It's all about control.

2Co 10:5 [Amplified]
We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.

We need to commit ourselves to Truth - to the Lord, that is.