In Part I of this devotional series, we looked at how Satan, the master-fisherman, fishes for men attempting to get them to bite on his bait of temptation. We began to take a look at the various types of bait that he will use, and how he wraps them up to be enticing to us. The variety of bait is determined by what type of fish he is attempting to hook up, and we at various times of our Christian walk can be like 3 different types of fish. The first fish we looked at as an example in Part I was a:
1. Catfish
But as we start to walk with the Lord, and we find ourselves more in the His Word, we begin to be a little more discerning about what we fall for in the way of temptation. I guess you could say that we transform from a "Catfish" into a "Trout."
2. Trout
The Trout is a little more selective of a fish, and it has better discernment. You could say that the trout is smarter than the Catfish. The trout is not a bottom feeder, and it is selective as to what and when it eats. It doesn't always fall for the bait that a catfish will fall for-it will usually take something different like Velveeta cheese or some salmon eggs to tempt it to bite. Or maybe something flashy like a spinner-bait that goes by in the water that catches its eye-gotta have it-type bait!
There will be times in our Christian walk, where we too, will be a little more selective as to what bait we bite upon when it comes to temptation. We will be like the Trout, instead of the Catfish. We won't fall for that "Stink bait" but we might fall for something else that actually looked too good to pass up. Or just like that lure that went by all flashy through the water and caught the Trout's eye and eventually caused its demise--we will fall for something flashy such as gold, jewelry, cars, houses, motorcycles, boats, or even a great body, or job.
All these things can be sin (not in God's will) when we put more emphasis on them than our love of God, our walk with God, and our love for our family.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:22-25 (NKJV)
Another thing to note is that the fisherman who is after trout is a little more trained for catching this type of fish, and he has better gear and a variety of bait when fishing for the trout. He might still fish from the shore banks, or maybe he fishes from an aluminum boat with a little engine mounted on the back. One thing for sure, he knows that he is after trout and not catfish.
The Trout fisherman might set a led weight on the bottom of the lake floor, and the leader with hooks will be raised by a bobber that floats up so that the bait just sort of floats there as the fish goes bye. Or, he may set the bobber on the surface of the water, with a led weight hanging from below with a couple of hooks in between. Twice as many hooks are good, because the Trout is twice as hard to catch as the Catfish.
This fisherman's whole technique is set up for catching the Trout--and so it is with Satan's fallen angels. They too, are targeting you when you are now becoming more discerning like a Trout, and they have special bait with which to tempt you. They know that you are not going to fall for the "Stink bait" that worked so well for catching the Catfish, so they step up there temptation to something that looks real good, but underneath it is really just a hook to snare you with.
Once on the hook, they will play with you for a while and then release you hoping to catch you a little later down the road, or they can land you and take you out of the water to show those around you that you have been caught. This is how Satan and his emissaries work to expose the sin of our lives when we bite upon those things that we feel that we simply must experience. Sometimes when we fall for these types of bait, we can lose our Christian witness with those closest to us, and we may even be tempted to walk away from our daily relationship with the Lord.
What we need to know though, is that God was with us the whole time, and will remain with us--ready for us to repent, ask forgiveness and turn to Him and be restored in our relationship (See 1John 1:9). His mercy is so great, and His love never fails or tires.
We just need to remember, that when we stop falling for every temptation, and are attempting to walk with God--the Enemy is going to use a different kind of bait of temptation to get us to stumble. We do not need to fear the enemy; God has told us that He will guide our paths (See Proverbs 3: 5-6). And God has given us a promise for these temptations as well.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you to ask God for wisdom and discernment each and every day. We have been given a promise as outlined in James 1:5 that if we ask God for this, He will give it to us liberally. Let us be prepared for every temptation that we face today, and let us seek God in every choice.
STUDY QUESTION: What things must we do to detect Satan's bait of temptation in our lives according to Malachi 3:18, and James 1:5?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you asking God for Wisdom and discernment each and every day? Are you seeking Gods guidance in every decision?
APPLICATION: Start talking to God about each decision that you make--before long, it will be a way of life, and a safer path.
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