Don’t let Satan trick you into ruining your life with deceitful pleasures.
As to be hated, needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
—”Essay on Man” by Alexander Pope
The seed planted among thornbushes [is another person who] hears the word. But the worries of life and the deceitful pleasures of riches choke the word so that it can’t produce anything. (Matthew 13:22 GWT)
Other people are like seeds planted among thornbushes. They hear the word, but the worries of life, the deceitful pleasures of riches, and the desires for other things take over. They choke the word so that it can’t produce anything. (Mark 4:18-19 GWT)
The seeds that were planted among thornbushes are people who hear the word, but as life goes on the worries, riches, and pleasures of life choke them. So they don’t produce anything good. (Luke 8:14 GWT)
Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn. After all, we will remain Christ’s partners only if we continue to hold on to our original confidence until the end. (Hebrews 3:12-14 GWT)
Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. (Proverbs 11:3 NLT)
Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner. (Proverbs 13:6)
13:6. An honest desire to do right, preserves a man from fatal mistakes, better than a thousand fine-drawn distinctions. –Matthew Henry Commentary
If you think this is only referring to the homeless drunken bum, you may have reached the fourth line in your own life. This is also referring to the self-righteous Pharisaical religious hypocrite described by James…