A fish … just before it is caught by a fisherman … only sees the bait being offered by the fisherman.
The fish only sees what its fleshly-nature wants.
The fish is absolutely convinced that what it sees will be enjoyable and pleasurable.
The fish is sure that what it sees will be good … and that no harm will come from partaking of the pleasure that it sees.
So, the fish moves in to partake of the bait … anticipating the fun and the pleasure … only to discover that a hook was hidden inside.
The fish was so focused on and blinded by an ILLUSION of pleasure that it did not see the hook that cost it its very life.
As simple and well-understood as this example is … it perfectly mirrors the “bait and catch” strategy that satan uses on us as people.
Common sense and experience tells us that any and every temptation satan puts in our path is merely bait … and out of sight is a hook that will prove harmful and destructive to us.
And yet, if we are not careful, we will see some temptation…
That satan has secretly and smartly laid out and presented to us…
And we will keep looking at it…
We will keep thinking about it…
We will begin imagining ourselves partaking of the pleasure and enjoyment it appears to offer…
We will start explaining, justifying, and excusing to ourself…
We will begin thinking of the temptation as harmless fun and pleasure…
Until finally, we reach the point where we have totally forgotten that satan is always about destruction…
Until we have completely forgotten that within any and every temptation that satan offers us, there IS some form of bondage and enslavement … there is some form of entrapment … that will in time prove to be burdensome, bitter, hurtful, and painful…
While the perceived, anticipated pleasure was nothing more than at best an initial, short-lived, cheap thrill followed by empty illusion, problems, and self-loathing.
The point is, we must not forget what is really going on and fall prey to satan’s tempting snares.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. — 2 Corinthians 2:11
We must always remember that hidden within satan’s temptations is some form of enslavement or entrapment that infallibly leads to progressive degradation and ultimately destruction.
We must remember that destruction is ALWAYS the end-game with satan.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy — John 10:10
So, let us all determine and decide right now that we will not ever have anything to do with satan’s enticing temptations.
When we find some enticing, alluring temptation laid in front of us … one that looks so enjoyable and pleasurable to our carnal-self … one that we could easily partake of … let us immediately turn away from it … without a second thought or look … remembering and knowing that it IS a trap designed to catch us and to drag us into degradation and destruction.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. — James 1:13-15
Credit: This article was inspired by comments made by Brother Alex Cooper.