Good morning. As a fisherman I enjoy catching fish. You could say that is the whole point, but really it isn’t. I love being out there on the water, the farther north the better. I love the idea of figuring out how to catch fish. I love being successful at catching fish. I love the struggle of bringing the fish into the net. And yes, I love a good fish dinner. However, most of the fish I catch are released back into the water, living to fight another day. There are places that insist on fishermen using barbless hooks to better ensure the health of the fish which are released. But let’s be clear, if you are going to catch fish, you need a bait/lure. And if the bait/lure is going to work to not only attract a fish but also catch one, that bait/lure needs to have a hook.
In spiritual terms, those bait/lures are called temptations. James speaks of them in this way: But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.James 1:14-15
Just like with fish, we are tempted by what we desire. Just like a fish, when we fall for the bait/lure we become “hooked”. Unlike my plans with fish, with the enemy there is no “catch and release”. When the enemy catches us he wants to see us cooked…forever.
1. Temptations rely on deception. When we are fooled, and this is usually because our wits and our vision are impaired by our desires, we feel the hook.
2. Temptations when they give way to sin are divisive. They divide us from God’s immediate presence, and they tend to divide us from one another.
3. Temptations which give way to sin are destructive. Satan has only one end in mind for all who fall to his schemes and lies: eternal death. Yes, sin leads to many destructive results in daily life, but ultimately, they all, when not forgiven, lead to death.
UNLESS If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
That is the power of God poured out to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our way to be “off the hook”. Jesus is our path to restoration and our assurance of victory.
When and how often is this true? Whenever the hook digs in. Whenever the deceiver has been successful. Whenever we need Him. Always.
Vern