I was thinking about how we can be trapped by our enemy, and you know, the Bible has plenty to say about that.
Think about a bear trap. The trap is set by the hunter to snare an unsuspecting bear that happens to be passing by, usually on a familiar path. The trap is covered by brush and leaves, so it is hidden from the bear’s eyesight. The bear steps on the trap and suddenly, the iron jaws crush into the skin, muscle tissue, and bone, usually causing a fracture resulting in much pain and blood. The bear is trapped, chained to the ground, and unable to free itself. Hours later, the hunter comes to shoot the bear dead.
That’s a picture of you and me when we have been ensnared by sin. Although the bear is unsuspecting of anything hidden that will take away its freedom, we know of the traps that are set for us. And the trap that is set for me may be different from the one set for you. The problem is that the traps that are set for us become hidden, just like the bear trap is hidden.
How does it become hidden? Have you ever found yourself thinking about sinning? The idea is in your mind, and you are drawn to do it. It feels good to think about it. You begin to calculate and formulate the way you can actually experience the thrill of it, without being caught. At some point, the deception that you can do it and not get caught clouds your thinking, and you can no longer see the trap. The hunter has you exactly where he wants you.
This is what has happened to the financial officer who extorts money from his employer, thinking he’s smart enough to not get caught. This is what has happened to the coach who sexually molests children, enjoying the sinful pleasure to the max, but giving no thought to getting caught. This is what has happened to the man who meets up with the other woman, believing that he won’t be found out by his wife.
There is a word that is found numerous times in the Bible that gives us God’s plan for living victoriously over sin, and that word is flee.
1 Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee sexual immorality.”
1 Timothy 6:11 says “flee these things,” and these things refer to the desire to get rich and the love of money.
You see, there’s a number of things we need to flee. You know what it is for you, and I know what it is for me. How do you do that?
You take flight in the direction of God, which is away from the hunter.
James 4:7 tells us how to make the enemy (the hunter) flee. “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” How do you submit to God? You obey His Word. You follow Jesus. You follow His commandment of love. Proud people are unwilling to do that. But those who have come to an end of themselves gladly submit to God. You lean into God, and that is resisting the devil.
Watch him flee.
That bear trap is set for you, my friend. And the hunter waits to come and shoot you dead. But you can outsmart the one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy by following the One who wrote the Manual on How to Not Become the Prey.
