Shortcuts Undermine Strong Foundations, Blueprints Without Wisdom Fail

In all my years of studying and research I have noticed a pattern in most of these groups. They play to the “desires” of the people. This, is how the devil works though. Even the bible warns of this. In the book of Hebrews verse 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Yes, in this verse it may be talking about the saints and their angels. But, you have to realize that this goes both ways. If God can have his angels with his saints, the devil can have his angels/demons with his followers.

The Bible gives substantial insight into how the devil appeals to human desires as a key strategy in his efforts to deceive, tempt, and lead people into sin. This theme appears from Genesis to Revelation and is crucial to understanding spiritual warfare and personal sanctification.

The Devil Exploits Fleshly Desires
The devil tempts individuals by appealing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—a pattern first seen in the Garden of Eden and reiterated in the New Testament.
• Genesis 3:6 (KJV):
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat…”
This shows how Satan manipulated Eve’s desires to bring about the first sin.
• 1 John 2:16 (KJV):
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
These three desires are precisely what Satan uses to draw people away from God.

Satan Masquerades to Align with Desires
Satan often disguises his schemes to appear as though they are aligned with good, drawing people in by appealing to their interests or ambitions.
• 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (KJV):
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…”
He uses deception to make sin look attractive, or even righteous.

Temptation Through Immediate Gratification
The devil tempts people to seek fulfillment in immediate satisfaction rather than in obedience to God.
• Matthew 4:1-11 (KJV):
In Jesus’ wilderness temptation, Satan tempted Him with food (hunger), public glory (pride), and worldly power (greed)—each of which appeals to human desire.
For example, verse 3: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”

People Are Drawn Away by Their Own Lusts
Scripture makes it clear that while the devil tempts, individuals are responsible for their choices, being led by their own desires.
• James 1:14-15 (KJV):
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin…”
This shows the synergy between external temptation (from the devil) and internal desire (in human hearts).

Satan’s Influence in a World that Loves Pleasure
The Bible warns that in the last days, people will increasingly follow their own desires, making Satan’s work easier.
• 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (KJV):
”…men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (KJV):
“Because they received not the love of the truth… God shall send them strong delusion… That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

How the Devil Plays to Desires – Biblical Insights
1. Appeals to the Flesh
• Genesis 3:6 – Eve sees the fruit is “good for food” and “pleasant to the eyes”
• 1 John 2:16 – “Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”
2. Offers False Light
• 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”
• Makes evil appear righteous or desirable.
3. Promises Quick Gratification
• Matthew 4:1-11 – Satan tempts Jesus with:
– Hunger satisfaction (v.3)
– Public spectacle (v.6)
– Worldly kingdoms (v.8)
4. Exploits Internal Lust
• James 1:14-15 – “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
• Sin grows from desire, not just external attack.
5. Uses Cultural and Moral Decay
• 2 Timothy 3:1-4 – “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – “They received not the love of the truth… but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

How to Resist the Devil’s Appeal to Desire

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
(Proverbs 24:3–4, KJV)

In every generation, there is a temptation to seek shortcuts—to trade depth for speed, formation for formulas, and wisdom for templates. These promise to fix your current situation and promise you some “golden parachute”. In today’s learning environments, particularly in professional or theological training, this temptation is growing louder. “Why do I need to learn this again?” “Just give me the template.” “I’ve already been through school.” or whatever you believe you need it for.

While these sentiments may sound reasonable, they contradict the biblical path to growth. Scripture never endorses quick fixes; rather, it calls us to seek, to dig, and to build—not just with our hands but with our hearts and minds. Proverbs 24 reminds us that a house is not truly built with tools alone, but with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. These are not pre-packaged. They are cultivated through time, teaching, and experience.

In Proverbs 25:2-3 it states the following; It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. If you are seeking the quick fix in what ever format you seek, then there is no substance, no wisdom. Why is the heart of the King unsearchable? Because the King searched out the matter and gained the wisdom to know how to stand on what he chose to do.

The Deeper Call to Learn

Jesus himself illustrated this when he described the wise builder:

“Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them… is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock…”
(Luke 6:47–48, KJV)

To dig deep is no passive endeavor. It speaks of effort and perseverance. It’s not enough to hear; we must understand and apply. A template might show you the exterior, but wisdom explains the structure. Without understanding, a template becomes a brittle shell—impressive on the outside, but hollow within.

The Gaining of Wisdom is the Work that builds the foundation before you implement the work or idea you are seeking to achieve.

Many students today are trained to think in terms of deliverables. “What’s the final product?” “How do I get the ‘right’ answer?” But the Word of God pushes back on this mindset. The real work is not just in the product, but in the process—the formation of a heart that seeks after God and a mind disciplined to discern truth.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
(Proverbs 4:7, KJV)

Templates may aid the hands, but only wisdom strengthens the heart. And in the Christian life, it is the heart that sustains, defends, and upholds what we build. Once the information from whatever subject you are learning, which includes but is not limited to the law, and those principles become part of your heart then you can achieve what you are seeking.

The Danger of the Shortcut Mentality

A desire to bypass learning is, in biblical terms, a form of folly. It often reflects not just impatience, but pride—the belief that we already know what we need to know. Scripture warns us plainly:

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
(Proverbs 26:12, KJV)

And again:

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
(Proverbs 13:4, KJV)

Entitlement to an answer without the pursuit of wisdom leads not to strength, but to collapse. The storms of life—whether theological, personal, or professional—will test what has been built. Only a foundation laid with understanding will endure.

The Encouragement to Teachers and Learners Alike

To those teaching: your labor is not in vain. Like Paul with Timothy, your call is not simply to distribute knowledge, but to disciple others into the truth so they may also teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). You are building not just classrooms, but character.

To those learning: press in. Don’t be satisfied with templates. Ask questions. Seek understanding. Dig deep. God has promised that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matthew 5:6), and that includes the righteousness of right learning and right living.

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
(Galatians 6:9, KJV)

Conclusion: Build to Endure

Blueprints without wisdom fail. Shortcuts undermine strong foundations. But the one who digs deep, who seeks wisdom from above, and who humbly embraces the process of learning—that person builds something that will endure.

Let us be those builders.

“Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
(Proverbs 8:11, KJV)