New International Version (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.
I spent my summers as a young adult traveling to northern Michigan. Our summer consisted of spending time with family and friends in woodsy log-like cabins which sat directly off of the beautiful glistening waters. Our mornings began in the wee hours when even the birds had not awakened. As the dawn began to break, birds now chirping and sea gulls in flight, we were already on our boats with our fishing poles in the still waters. The cool crisp air brought chills, yet it was fun to breathe out and see it create a dissipating smoke. We had already taken the time to purchase our bait at the local store. Nothing high tech here though, just plain old squirming worms sacrificed on a hook for the sheer purpose of catching our dinner. On the water there would be very little talking, no harsh movements just sitting until our behinds became numb waiting for the fish to bite. Fish were easily drawn by the worms that we had placed in the water on that sharp hook. Once baited the fish were hooked and dragged to their demise.
I was reminded of my past fishing expeditions as I reacted to a post I read some time ago on Facebook. The bait was a topic I am passionate about in my life. This small little question-posed paragraph would be the dangling worm enticing me in. Reading the comments would cause my heart to race, thoughts to run wild and leave me emotionally spent. I was ready to fire a quick comment and let them know a thing or two! A far cry of what I encourage others’ to do which is to respond in love. Yet, I had been baited and caught and no one knew this little worm had caused me all of this anguish as I sat in my car pondering upon what just happened. It had dragged me to my demise of extreme anger lingering in my flesh.
We are not fish to be baited by the world or Satan as they sit and dangle worms in our faces waiting for us to bite. The worms that cause anguish and despair which end in disruption of our day, more so our lives. We run the risk of getting caught up in something which holds greater consequences than we may be able to handle.
There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles money in our faces when we are in great need only to find ourselves in a vicious poverty cycle. There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles drugs in our faces when we are looking for ways to forget our problems. There is nothing high-tech as one who dangles attention in our faces during times of loneliness, which ends in passing our moral compasses. Nothing high-tech about the berating spouse‘s mouth which sends us out searching for niceties. The bait of the pornographic video no one knows we watched which fuels ungodly desires. The bait of our political or religious beliefs sent over the edge by differences of opinion. The bait of the television which consumes our time with reality that’s not real. No, none of these worms which are dangled in our face daily are high-tech at all. Yet there are so many more disruptions to our lives which create distance in our relationship with God. These worms keep us from all God has promised us in His Word.
On the other end of this spectrum - what did Jesus say to his disciples? Go and be fishermen of men. So which bait do we want to take? The bait salvation which consists of hope, peace and love? The bait of abundant life? The bait of the Father? Yet, the bait of salvation is not bait at all - but a gift. I believe sometimes we think we are being brain-washed or baited by something which is holding us captive. Being captivated by God’s love is much different than being held captive (or in bondage) to sin. God desires for us to live such a prosperous life and guides us in a manner to keep us from things that would harm us. Yes, those worms eat our lives away. It’s imperative we spend time alone in the presence of God to avoid being baited by the wrong things. Beware of the next fishing expedition!
John 8:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2 Corinthians 11:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Joel 2:25
King James Version (KJV)
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Romans 7: 21-25
Message (MSG)
21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Ephesians 5:11
The Message (MSG)
11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
Live Blessed,
Dee-Dee
