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NASB | Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 3:13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called "Today" [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. |
Bible Question: Two questions on this verse: what is meant by "Today?" and secondly, how does the "deceitfulness of sin" harden the heart? (see previous verse) |
Bible Answer: I think what is meant by the term "Today" is that we are always to be warning and encouraging one another. It is a daily job, not just a Sunday thing or when we meet in small groups. We need each other daily! Nowadays we have "accountability partners". We answer to them once a week or a couple times a month. This scripture, I believe, is telling us that the whole church should be keeping our eyes on each other continually. Sin is very deceitful and easily leads well-intentioned people astray. If we hold each other accountable daily, we have much less chance of falling into danger. This is one area where the church as a whole could use some improvement. The deceitfulness of sin is very subtle. We are led into sin, not in one huge leap, but by small steps. We say we'll do "this", but certainly not "that". Before we know it, we've been deceived and are doing "that", thinking it's not that bad because our hearts have been hardened be the little steps we've taken along the way. Example: I'll get a swimsuit calendar, they're not that bad, I mean the girls are covered. Which may lead to "just" topless, or "artistic" nudes, and then before you know it, your deep into pornography and you would never have dreamed sin would take you there when you purchased the swimsuit calendar. Your heart has been hardened by each little step along the way. Some of the ideas about "Today" came from Albert Barnses' Notes on the Bible. Not quoted. |