bait

My dad was too young to get in the first of World War II, but he got a waver signed by his folks and got into the Navy for the last year. He wouldn't talk much about his experiences, but I do remember one story that I would like to share.

He told us that while he was stationed on Guam one day, one of the guys came running up excited that the PX (the military store) had candy bars on sale for 1 cent.  (Remember that back then, the normal cost was only 4 to 5 cents).  All of the guys ran down to the PX and bought candy bars. Later, as they began to eat them, they found out the reason they were on sale - They all had small worms in them!

As I reminisced about that story I thought about the lesson for us today!  Satan is crafty; he always tries to make wormy candy look like something to be desired. He knows our desires and weaknesses, and he won't hesitate to dangle in front of us that which might catch us in his trap.

There is an interesting piece of insight about sin found in James 1:13-15. Notice what it says, "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me."  God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."

Notice especially the word "entice" in the text. In the Greek, this has the meaning of "to be caught by bait". How do you catch a fish? You dangle bait which looks attractive to them, hoping they won't notice the hook. They see the bait, want it, go after it and before they know it, they are caught because of what they desired.

Our world offers so many things that look so appealing. Whether it is wealth, sex, drugs, material possessions, illicit relationships, worshipping the wrong things - they are all bait.  Bait dangled in front of us for one purpose - to "catch us and drag us away".   The plan is to drag us away from God, away from righteous living, away from our hope. 

That's why Peter writes, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour," (1 Peter 5:8)

So, be on your guard, watch out, because Satan never sleeps, he is always fishing for your soul.  You wouldn't eat a wormy candy bar would you?  Why would you invite things that are just as disgusting into your life?

-Russ Lawson