Look for the hook

Temptation is nothing more than bait on a hook-Thomas Brooks

Two summers ago, I had the opportunity to fish Lake Michigan with some good friends of mine. I was amazed at the skill of the captain. He had a knack for knowing how to attract fish and he set the hook quickly when they would strike. When the fish were not biting, he would switch to different baits to find what would tempt them.

When Jesus called his first disciples, he told them he would make them "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). I fondly recall singing in Sunday school "I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN!!! FISHERS OF MEN!!! FISHERS OF MEN!!!! IF YOU FOLLOW ME!!!" Until today, I had never really made the connection that Satan is also a fisher of men. He masterfully conceals the hook of sin in an attractive lure of temptation. Mark Driscoll made the point that Satan never attracts us with obesity, he attracts us with cake. He never attracts us with lust and marital failure, he attracts us with pornography. What Satan presents is appealing, but contains within itself something deadly (Romans 6:23). When the bait isn't working, he may switch it up (Hebrews 4:15). He is "the deceiver of the whole world" (Revelation 12:9).

In first Peter 5:8-9, we are reminded to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." He watches for the slightest weakness, hoping to gain advantage--hoping to set the hook. Thankfully, I Corinthians 10 provides a promise, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Look for the hook--and look for the way out--your life depends on it.