[04/24/2023 “teEn-MAIL”]
[This focus was originally sent 04/16/2009 (Edited some.)]
Someone has said, “If you don’t avoid the bait, you’ll end up on the hook.” If the theories of evolution were true, would not fish have evolved to the point of understanding the hook behind the free food dangling in the water? They see it. They want it. So, they bite and the one holding the pole says, “Gotcha!”
Is this not also the picture of temptation? How often do people see how close they can get to temptation rather than trying to avoid it altogether? If we don’t avoid the bait, we’re likely to get hooked and the devil declares with delight, “Gotcha!”
James warned. . .
“(13) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (14) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (15) Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:13-15 ESV)
Though the devil (through the world) may be the one to dangle the temptation before us, we are the one who bites. He doesn’t come along and jam the hook into our mouth. Do we understand what James described as the awful progression (or digression) of the movement deeper and deeper once “the lure” has done its work? Just like the fish that ends up on someone’s plate, death (separation from God) is the ultimate end to which temptation can lead if we bite! Temptation is all around us. The devil is on the prowl seeking to devour us. (1 Peter 5:8) He wants us on his plate! Let us not become his catch of the day!
James later exhorted. . .
“(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8 ESV)
Let us be wise in what to avoid even getting close to. Some things need not to be merely turned from, but run far away from! Let it be God to Whom we continue to be drawn closer and closer. In this way we will avoid becoming one of the devil’s fish stories, leaving him to moan about another one that got away!
Have a great day REMAINING GOD’S CATCH!
Carl
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(“teEn-MAIL” is sent out daily by Carl Hanson, preacher for the Church of Christ in Port Townsend, Washington, USA, located at 230 A Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Come visit us if in the area.)
