ENTANGLED AGAIN

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (2 Peter 2:20)

EARLY IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, well before the end of the first century, a spirit of lethargy began to settle over those who wore the name of Jesus. All manner of corruption began to surface among professed believers – corruption that required extensive Apostolic teaching and correction. There were division and carnality in Corinth, a reversion to Law among the Galatians, drawing back among Hebrew believers, and a lapse of memory concerning Divine manners among those to whom Jude wrote. James addressed those who pretended to have faith, yet were at enmity with God. Jesus Himself delivered personal messages to five churches who were on the decline, commissioning John to write the messages down and deliver them to the angels, or messengers, of those churches (Rev 2:4,14,20; 3:2,15).

RATHER THAN ADVANCING toward glory, the people began sliding backward to the very things from which they had been delivered. Rather than being changed from glory to glory, they began reverting to the flesh. Thus, Peter blows the trumpet of warning. People were headed for a state that was actually "worse" for them than the one from which Jesus delivered them in the first place.

IF THIS CONDITION were not possible, it would be preposterous to have extended teaching about it. Mind you, we are speaking of individuals who "escaped" the pollution of the world, again being entangled in Satan's net. This entanglement did not happen inadvertently. Through spiritual stupidity and dullness of soul, the transgressor "entangles himself" (2 Tim 2:4). Just as God's Word is "active," so is Satan's delusion. If men choose to live at a distance from Christ, they do, by that very decision, move closer to the ensnarements of the wicked one. There is just as much danger in the world as there is safety in the Lord Jesus Christ. All men choose which habitat they will occupy.

THIS WORD BRINGS TO MIND the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. After their departure, Pharaoh mistakenly reasoned, "They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in" (Ex 14:3). Other versions substitute "bewildered" (NKJV), "confusion" (NIV), and "aimlessly" (NASB,NRSV) for "entangled." There is an element of truth to all of them. The "entanglement" of reference is a term describing the powerful grip of delusion – a state in which the mind is thrown into spiritual confusion. The individual who once escaped the world's contamination is thus brought to imagine personal advantages can be realized from the world. This is even worse than the delusion experienced by Eve, for before deceived, she was not required to escape the world – i.e. to subdue any urge to eat of the friut of the forbidden tree. Here, in our text, however, is someone who has already "escaped," flirting with impurity, and finally being overcome by it. Therefore, all sound reason departs, and Jesus becomes incidental.

THINK OF THE DESCRIPTIVE EXPRESSION – "and overcome." Myriad of professed believers do not think such a thing is possible. I remember a word my beloved mother told me: "If what is above you does not control you, what is around you will!" To put it another way, if you are not an overcomer, you will be overcome! Jesus affirmed He had "over come the world" (John 16:33), and a disciple is not above his master (Matt 10:24).

HERE IS A STATE where people once joined to the Lord are again overcome by the world. Instead of overcoming evil, evil overcame them (Rom 12:21). Though once they overcame the wicked one (1 John 2:13-14), now they are "again" overcome by him. It is not possible to overstate the tragedy of the situation.

THE SPIRIT AFFIRMS, "the last state has become worse for them than the first" (NASB). Do not doubt that such a state is possible! To be entangled and overcome "again," thrusts one into a condition worse than the one prior to them being born again – i.e., "at the first!" These are the exact words spoken by our Lord concerning someone once delivered, then brought again into bondage (Matt 12:43-45). Those who are "again entangled" sink lower into the mire, and further from the Savior, than they were when they were alienated. They are less sensitive, more calloused, and harder in heart!

GOD MADE NO PLEDGE to retrieve such, nor, indeed, has He guaranteed recovery is even possible. Elsewhere, the Spirit affirms it is "impossible" (Heb 6:4-6). Wherever a sensitive conscience is found, and a will to return to the Lord, a return can be realized. Such have not yet been "overcome." But if they do not run with haste to Jesus, they will soon be "overcome." That is something to ponder!

– Given O. Blakely