Beautiful But Deadly
Sometimes the most beautiful things are the most deadly. Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and take, for instance, oleander bushes. These gorgeous flowering bushes that grow along the freeways of California have the most lovely fluffy blossoms. You’d be tempted to place them on your table, were they not so poisonous. Oleanders, though beautiful, are deadly. In a way, our thoughts can be like that. Evil thoughts disguise themselves to seem so innocent and beautiful. They never come into your mind saying, “I am going to ruin your peace of mind and rob you of joy.” So be aware. James 1 says, “… each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has been conceived, it gives birth to sin.” So–called beautiful thoughts are like a bouquet of oleanders. Keep them off the table of your mind. They may be attractive, but beware: they’re deadly.
