There seems to be two corresponding admonitions in this verse. One is a warning against hypocrisy and hidden agendas. The other is the key to safety from those who would seek to destroy. I read a story yesterday of a very accomplished English physicist, an obviously brilliant man in his late 60’s, who is now rotting away in a South American prison. He had met a “beautiful model” on the internet. She had professed her love for him and her desire to be with him and marry him. She invited him to come to her in South America, and she had only requested that he bring one thing: a suitcase that she had left behind at the airport. He picked up the suitcase, approached the airport gate, and was immediately arrested. The suitcase was filled with cocaine. Sadly, we hear stories like this frequently. How do people fall prey to those with hidden agendas? They do not live by the knowledge of God’s word. This man’s thirst for sinful love drove him to ridiculous actions. Many, like this man, are blinded by their perceived need for love. Others are ruined financially because they fall for unrealistic schemes. Again, how do these horrible things happen to intelligent people? They are not the result of bad luck; they are the result of living according to base desires – lust and greed. The solution is knowledge – the knowledge of God and His Word.