This is the first in a series of articles I intend to publish involving the snares, or the enticing traps, that modern Christians face. In this first article, I will be covering three of them. But the driving focus of all of them will be that we must rely solely on the Word of God as our authority and make sure our desires and our daily lives are aligned with it.

Scripture is more than an ancient anthology—it is a lighthouse shining its timeless wisdom across the churning seas of human history. In its words, we discern echoes of yesterday’s trials and today’s challenges. The Scriptures offer unparalleled insights into enduring snares, many of which resonate with facets of the modern church experience. By exploring these passages, we’ll unveil and juxtapose these biblical warnings with modern-day manifestations, particularly the allure of entertainment, fixation on signs and wonders, and the love of money.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, warned against secular philosophies and human traditions. He said, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8, ESV). The emphasis here is on the “captivity” brought about by human thought detached from the teachings of Christ. Paul exhorted the Colossians to steer clear from such deceit, reflecting the Hellenistic culture of the time, which highly valued philosophy, often at the expense of faith.

In today’s context, the lure of secular philosophies manifests in a more subtle, yet pervasive form: entertainment and celebrity influence. The world of entertainment, in its many guises, often exerts a captivating influence over people, including Christians, which causes a shift of focus from the teachings of Christ to secular narratives. We see this often in publications like Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition, with its influencers consistently praising worldly entertainment while attempting to justify it by drawing “gospel themes” from such lurid shallow amusement. This is not to vilify entertainment in its entirety but to caution against the unconscious absorption of ideas and values that conflict with Christ’s teachings. You would not find such a fascination with entertainment in the early church as you would in the modern church. It’s a death trap that should be decisively dealt with.

Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians conveys another relevant warning, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, ESV). The backdrop of this passage is the influence of false apostles who were leading the Corinthian church astray. Paul feared that the believers might be seduced from their sincere devotion to Christ.

Applying this warning to the present-day church, it is appropriate to note the fascination with signs and wonders within charismatic circles and churches influenced by the charismatic movement. Many are enticed by the deceptively extraordinary, often overlooking the essence of sincere faith in Christ. The biblical miracles were signposts to Christ, not ends in themselves. When the focus on Christ is replaced by a fixation on signs and wonders, faith becomes superficial, much like the Corinthian believers who were swayed by the eloquence and charisma of false apostles.

Finally, Paul’s first letter to Timothy illuminates another deadly trap, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10, ESV). Here, the allure of wealth and its resultant evils are unveiled as snares. Paul penned this admonition in a time when believers were enticed by the promise of material prosperity, leading them astray from the faith.

In the context of the modern church, the stark warning in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 is strikingly applicable to certain theological heresies like the prosperity gospel. This modern false teaching, much like the ancient enticement of wealth that Paul cautioned Timothy about, posits that material prosperity and physical well-being are always the will of God for every believer. Its adherents are encouraged to focus on personal gain, driven by a yearning for worldly success. This preoccupation has the potential to ensnare, to engender “many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9, ESV).

The essence of this snare is rooted in the misinterpretation and speculation about the nature of God’s blessings, and an overemphasis on the material aspects of these blessings at the expense of spiritual richness. This is not unlike the obsession with wealth that led some early believers away from the faith. In the pursuit of material prosperity and personal success, many of the core principles of the Christian life, such as humility, sacrificial love, and selfless service, are often overshadowed or entirely neglected.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10, ESV). Analogously, the modern craving for prosperity and success, as propagated by the prosperity gospel, could lead to spiritual detriment. The true treasures of faith—a rich relationship with God, a transformed character, the call to serve others—risk being substituted for transient earthly wealth.

By examining these passages in their historical context and turning to Scripture as our source of truth, we can see that the snares of the modern church are not new—they’re merely repackaged in contemporary forms. The allure of entertainment, the fixation on signs and wonders, and the love of money—these are subtle pitfalls that can veer the believer off the path of sincere devotion to Christ. They serve as stark warnings for the Church to remain alert and rooted in the unchanging Word of God amidst the shifting sands of societal influences.