Avoid the Trap

This may be the most dangerous trap you will ever avoid.

Text for Today – 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

The passage chosen for our Text for Today is one of the most frightening possibilities imaginable.  Two kinds of servants are described in this passage.  One is gentle and meek, giving patient instruction in the Word of God.  The other is one who has fallen into a most dangerous place.

Examine the danger of strife.  The Christian, who is in strife, has fallen into a Satanic snare.  That’s bad enough, but look more closely.  A believer who is ensnared in strife can be taken captive by Satan anytime Satan chooses, and as long as the believer remains in strife, there is nothing the believer can do about it.  Understand that God WILL NOT violate His Word.  The believer trapped in the snare of strife is absolutely helpless, even by the Lord, unless that believer repents, confesses his sin, receives forgiveness from the Lord, and seeks Biblical reconciliation with His brother or sister.

I remember playing cowboys ‘n’ Indians as a child.  On the other hand, the girls always wanted to play with dolls.  One of the most famous dolls from the era of my childhood was the Chatty Cathy doll.  There was a string in the neck of that doll, that when pulled, caused the playback of pre-recorded phrases (the doll talked).  That’s the image I have of a believer ensnared in strife.  Satan has that person trapped, and at his own bidding, whenever he chooses, can cause that entrapped believer to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.  This can destroy more in a few seconds than was built over years.  It is demonic terrorism at its worst; a deceived and ensnared believer loaded with explosively destructive words, ready to be used by Satan at a time and place of his choosing.  Imagine the horror of a born-again, Spirit-filled believer becoming a pawn for Satan’s destructive work.

If you’re in strife, repent NOW!  Confess that sin NOW!  Turn from it NOW!  Seek Biblical reconciliation!  That’s all you need to do to get out.  But whatever you do, AVOID STRIFE AT ALL COSTS!  Stay clear of this anointing-deadening, Spirit-stopping, fruit-killing, gift-disabling snare.  Walk in love and live by faith, thus pleasing your heavenly Father.

Manna for Today – 1 Samuel 15:22-23; 1 John 5:3; John 14:15-17; James 3:16