Are You Easily Enticed?
“But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,
he is dragged away and enticed.”
James 1:14
Lowell Lundstrom, the very hard working Bible teacher and evangelist, and his son L.J. had a rare opportunity to get away and experience the great outdoors. On their way to Lake Winnipeg River in Canada, the two outdoorsmen stopped at a local tackle shop to check out the fishing reports.
L.J. spotted a large minnow-shaped, shallow running lure that was decked out in all kinds of colors. Lowell remembered the old saying, “More lures are made to catch fishermen than ever actually catch fish.” But the persistence of a young boy and the curiosity of an old fisherman provoked a sale.
After several days of very difficult fishing and a small stringer of fish to show for all their hard work, Lowell snapped on his son’s new lure just to show the boy some encouragement. The evening sun was setting on his last cast of the trip when a 23-pound musky grabbed the lure. The unique qualities of this bait were more than the big fish could resist, and the two elated fishermen netted the monster, taking it to the dock with their newfound love of a very tempting lure.
The world is full of fancy lures. I’m sure we can all remember times when we have been tempted. Biblically speaking, to be “tempted” means to be lured or enticed. The word temptation (peirasmos) had great meaning to the first century disciples. It meant “to catch in a snare or trap” or “to lure a fish from his hiding place”.
Temptation comes in many forms. The media is full of temptation. Some folks become absolutely obsessed with trying to obtain more and better and bigger and newer… The exploitation of sex has driven many men and women into the dark closets of pornography. The culture tells us to “Look out for number one”, “If you don’t get caught, it’s okay”, and “Do what ever it takes to get what you want.” The lure of riches tempts people to steal, cheat, or simply take advantage of someone else’s accounting
mistake.
Our flesh may be tempted by food or sexual fantasies, our mind by fantasies of power, fame, and fortune, but our spirit can also be tempted, as Satan wages war on our very souls. The author of Hebrews comforts us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet as without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
Christ reminds us that we have to wage the battle against temptation and be alert for the evil one. At the conclusion of His earthly ministry, Christ admonished His disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41. Accountability to other believers and keeping ourselves open to God’s Word are keys in dealing with temptation.
Let us commit to praying for one another that God will give us the strength, power and might to overcome the “fancy lures” before us.
The Power of Truth:
- “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
- “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
Suggestion for Prayer:
Ask God to strengthen you when you are tempted and to show you a way out, so you can flee all temptation and avoid the Enemy’s trap.