Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the traps of the world, as sources of temptation. The parable of the sower allows us to illustrate a little bit our theme that we read in Matthew 13 from verse 3, as well as its explanation from verse 19. In fact, the situations described in this parable describe the different cases that we still meet today. We see a seed falling along the path; another in thorns, another in stony ground, and another in good soil. Apart from the one falling in good soil, all other situations are full of traps that man constantly meet when the seed or more precisely the word of God is spoken to him.
But let’s start by reading the nine main snares that the Bible says:
- the false gods:
Exodus 23.33 “Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”
- guilty alliances
Exodus 34.12 “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you.”
- silver and gold
Deuteronomy 7.25 ” The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. “
- bad companies
Joshua 23.13 ” then you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the LORD your God has given you.”
- idolatry
Psalms 106.36 ” They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.”
- wishes not fulfilled
Proverbs 20.25 “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.”
- friendship with violent men
Proverbs 22.25 ” or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
- Mockery
Proverbs 29.8 ” Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”
- greed
1 Timothy 6: 9 ” Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Then let’s turn to some examples of lust of the eyes that led to impurity:
1) David,
2 Samuel 11.2-4 2 ” One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.”
2) Job,
Job 31.1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
3) Teachings of Jesus and John,
i) Matthew 5.28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
ii) 1 John 2.16 ” For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world”
In order to add a bit more to what we have mentioned above, let’s go through some opportunities by which the Pharisees had tried to accuse Christ:
Matthew 16: 1 “The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.” His response to them was that there will be no other miracle to them apart from that of Jonah.
Matthew 19.3 ” Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” He told them that at the beginning, God created man and woman. Man should not separate what God has joined.
Matthew 22:15 “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.”
They tried to query him about taxes to be paid or not to Caesar. He told them that this belongs to Caesar and they should pay, and pay to God what belongs to God.
Mark 10.2 “The Pharisees approached him; and, to test him, they asked him if it is permissible for a man to repudiate his wife. “They received the same response as in Matthew 19.3.
John 8.6 “And they said this to test him, that he might accuse him. But Jesus, bending down, wrote with his finger on the earth. “
This was the adulterous woman who ended up being free to return home, with the order from Jesus to no longer sin. We should put ourselves in the shoes of this person who had just been saved from a death fully justified by the sins that were committed, and ask ourselves whether we really walk in the path of truth and justice of God.
To conclude our teaching, let’s note that it’s not too late to catch up and it is essential to say NO to evil and stand firm by praying to the Lord to strengthen us, and always resist the devil who will finally flee from us. So, we are sure that our reward is waiting for us in heavenly place, by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on an important word of the Lord Jesus.
May the Almighty Lord bless you in abundance.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of armies.