By design, one doesn’t know they are going into a trap. Consider how wild pigs are caught by men. Find there commute path, put down some food every day. Everyday make little changes to the environment (take away some things, add a feeding bowl ). Put up one fence, then another, then another finally add a door. Now the whole heard is captured. The Bible warns of trapping tactics of the devil, when we recognized the trap we can avoid the trap. Here's a quick look at some of what the Bible says about the devil's traps for people.
11. Offense is the Bait of Satan (John Bevere on 2 Timothy 2:23-26)
Going for something Good rather than what God has said (Genesis 3:6). Jesus said regarding signs of the End that many will be offend, betray, hate each other (Matthew 24:10-13). The offended betray and betrayal leads to hate. Proverbs 18:19 says the offended will erect walls/strong holds in our hearts (2 Cor 10:4-5). A stronghold is reasoning and thought processing contrary to the word of God. These come by offense we set up to protect ourselves.
10. Offended people build a wall around there heart
1) Genuinely mistreated, right to be offended (Joseph has the right to be offended Genesis 37, 39-45)
2) Thinks they've been mistreated (wrong information or right information wrong interpretation)
9. Categorizing Sin at different levels deceives and divides
Lord hates haughty eyes, lying tongues, hands that kill the innocent, heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, false witness who pours out lies and a person who sows discord in a family (Proverbs 6:16-19)
8. Fostering Wounds keeps us separated from God and people
Horrifying/offensive sin doesn't compare to eternity in the lake of fire. All have sinned and deserve God's judgement (everyone)- so let us not categorize sin as major or minor. In Matthew 18:32 Jesus says wicked "servant" not "heathen"... If a person refuses to forgive (Mark 11:25) they forfeit the forgiveness of God (Mark 11:26, Matthew 6:14-15).
7. Arguments with no value distract us
Arguments are not bad but can often times get heated and emotional. The word argument comes from latin word "to make clear, prove" and is "the process of reasoning". Good arguments can center around 1 Corinthians 15, the first importance of the Gospel (what) as well as defining Christians principals (who, why, how). The bible warns about arguments with no value that are defined by association with words like complaining (Philippians 2:14), quarreling (2 Timothy 2:14,23-24), slander (Titus 3:1-2), anger (Proverbs 29:22) and my favorites - pointless discussions (2 Timothy 2:16).
6. Worry about people keeps us silent
When we do engage in the meaningful arguments we do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), readiness and power of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2). We are emboldened to deliver the Gospel, the life giving message from God to all people (John 3:16-21). The good news of God makes clear why pain, suffering, injustice and our personal inabilities to do what is right exists (Genesis 3:1-24) and what Jesus has done to make us right with God, all of this demands a response for people we reason with - which can make us worry about people. I'm reminded of Jesus basically saying, "don't worry about what you'll say - the holy Spirit will guide you (paraphrase Luke 12:11-12, Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11)"
5. Worry about ourselves keeps us silent
One of my "life verses" is Philippians 4:4-7, the other is 1 Peter 4:7-11. Committing these to memory has enabled me to accept God's grace, have a great day everyday and be a light for others. These apply to me because I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4). God tells us to humble ourselves before God and not just "let go" of worries but to "cast them" to God because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 55:22-23). I don't need to worry about anything when I'm serving God and seeking God's kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:24-34).
4. Self-Deception ("God doesn't care about us and our behavior")
Self deception can be diagnosed in our attitude towards God. Romans 1:21 says of deceived people - they know God but neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. I, as well as all Christians were at one time deceived under Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), but were taught to put off that former way of life which is being corrupted by deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22)
3. Buildings and programs focused, instead of God's will for people
Giving food, shelter, clothing and education without the corresponding message from God can give people temporary help. But God's will is for eternal, soul deep help for people. It's been said, "he's too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good." the other extreme is also true, when we are too earthly minded to be of any eternal good. Good news of the gospel is for this life and the next: So much good news here...
2. God and Spiritual life isn't real
In Daniel 3, we see Daniel's friends choose God over worshiping statue or dying in furnace. The Bible starts with "in the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1). Since the fall of man (Genesis 3) our nature doesn't accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14) yet Romans 1:20 says "God's eternal power and diven nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So that no one is without excuse."
1. God won’t hear me (so I'll stay silent)
Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." James 4:3, adds that you must have the right motives. Here's what it looks like
God Hears Us
Pig trapping illustration,
Bait Of Satan - John Bevere, What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?
Biblereasons.com had these resources on what the Bible Says about Arguing
anxiety, 10-things-that-will-help-you-share-your-faith
Jeremiah 17:9, What does it mean that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), Can Faith Move Mountains?
What the Bible says about Reality, Nature Of Eternal Life
God helps us handle spiritual trails
11. Offense is the Bait of Satan (John Bevere on 2 Timothy 2:23-26)
Going for something Good rather than what God has said (Genesis 3:6). Jesus said regarding signs of the End that many will be offend, betray, hate each other (Matthew 24:10-13). The offended betray and betrayal leads to hate. Proverbs 18:19 says the offended will erect walls/strong holds in our hearts (2 Cor 10:4-5). A stronghold is reasoning and thought processing contrary to the word of God. These come by offense we set up to protect ourselves.
- Offense occurs from someone we care for (brother, sister, loved one). When believers stop giving they become like the dead sea (only taking in but never letting out). Apostasy and hatred result.
- An offended heart is a breading ground for deception. Jesus said "then" (Matthew 24:11) false prophets will come. Wolves in sheep clothing (seeking benefits for themselves, not God's glory). Wolves run in packs, held together by mutual cause (isolate the sheep from the heard).
- Offended people build walls, isolated from others. Proverbs 18:1. Isolation occurs in the heart (Matthew 24:12) because lawlessness abounds love (agape love of God, the church) grows cold (the church)
10. Offended people build a wall around there heart
1) Genuinely mistreated, right to be offended (Joseph has the right to be offended Genesis 37, 39-45)
- Nothing can take us out of God's will (Genesis 50:19-21,Romans 8:28)
- You can't shorten your time of testing but you can extend it (Exodus 15:22-40)
- A person who can't forgive has forgotten what they have been forgiven of (Matthew 18:21-22, 23-35, Ephesians 4:32)
2) Thinks they've been mistreated (wrong information or right information wrong interpretation)
- True discernment is rooted in the love of God (Philippians 1:9-11). Ask yourself would you die for the person your criticizing? That's the love of God (1 John 3:11-24)
9. Categorizing Sin at different levels deceives and divides
Lord hates haughty eyes, lying tongues, hands that kill the innocent, heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, false witness who pours out lies and a person who sows discord in a family (Proverbs 6:16-19)
- "if you treat gossip like homosexuality and you probably get delivered"
- Hate covetousness like adultery (Matthew 5:27-28)
- Hate self talk plotting evil, like murder (Matthew 5:21-22,43-48)
8. Fostering Wounds keeps us separated from God and people
Horrifying/offensive sin doesn't compare to eternity in the lake of fire. All have sinned and deserve God's judgement (everyone)- so let us not categorize sin as major or minor. In Matthew 18:32 Jesus says wicked "servant" not "heathen"... If a person refuses to forgive (Mark 11:25) they forfeit the forgiveness of God (Mark 11:26, Matthew 6:14-15).
- Exercise not having offense before God and Man -Acts 24:16. We can push hard, but don't wound.
- How to exercise? Pray for those who abuse you (Matthew 5:44). Pray for them like your own (Psalm 35:11-14). (1:17:00 into the sermon - prayer)
- God's word can and does wound (like a scalpel) to cut out sin of unforgiveness (Hebrews 4:12)
- Reconciliation, not just forgiveness (Jesus forgave on the cross, he reconciles with the Holy Spirit, our repentance brought on by the goodness of God). He has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Proverbs 14:9). Love Covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
7. Arguments with no value distract us
Arguments are not bad but can often times get heated and emotional. The word argument comes from latin word "to make clear, prove" and is "the process of reasoning". Good arguments can center around 1 Corinthians 15, the first importance of the Gospel (what) as well as defining Christians principals (who, why, how). The bible warns about arguments with no value that are defined by association with words like complaining (Philippians 2:14), quarreling (2 Timothy 2:14,23-24), slander (Titus 3:1-2), anger (Proverbs 29:22) and my favorites - pointless discussions (2 Timothy 2:16).
6. Worry about people keeps us silent
When we do engage in the meaningful arguments we do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), readiness and power of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2). We are emboldened to deliver the Gospel, the life giving message from God to all people (John 3:16-21). The good news of God makes clear why pain, suffering, injustice and our personal inabilities to do what is right exists (Genesis 3:1-24) and what Jesus has done to make us right with God, all of this demands a response for people we reason with - which can make us worry about people. I'm reminded of Jesus basically saying, "don't worry about what you'll say - the holy Spirit will guide you (paraphrase Luke 12:11-12, Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11)"
5. Worry about ourselves keeps us silent
One of my "life verses" is Philippians 4:4-7, the other is 1 Peter 4:7-11. Committing these to memory has enabled me to accept God's grace, have a great day everyday and be a light for others. These apply to me because I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4). God tells us to humble ourselves before God and not just "let go" of worries but to "cast them" to God because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 55:22-23). I don't need to worry about anything when I'm serving God and seeking God's kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:24-34).
4. Self-Deception ("God doesn't care about us and our behavior")
Self deception can be diagnosed in our attitude towards God. Romans 1:21 says of deceived people - they know God but neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. I, as well as all Christians were at one time deceived under Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), but were taught to put off that former way of life which is being corrupted by deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22)
- Jeremiah 17:9 exposes the truth that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick
- Jesus said in Matthew 13:15 that "people's heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.'"
- Jesus said in Mark 7:21-22, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness."
- Ecclesiastes 9:3 goes even further, "...Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives..."
3. Buildings and programs focused, instead of God's will for people
Giving food, shelter, clothing and education without the corresponding message from God can give people temporary help. But God's will is for eternal, soul deep help for people. It's been said, "he's too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good." the other extreme is also true, when we are too earthly minded to be of any eternal good. Good news of the gospel is for this life and the next: So much good news here...
2. God and Spiritual life isn't real
In Daniel 3, we see Daniel's friends choose God over worshiping statue or dying in furnace. The Bible starts with "in the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1). Since the fall of man (Genesis 3) our nature doesn't accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14) yet Romans 1:20 says "God's eternal power and diven nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So that no one is without excuse."
1. God won’t hear me (so I'll stay silent)
Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." James 4:3, adds that you must have the right motives. Here's what it looks like
"For I cried out to him for help,
praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen!
He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
or withdraw his unfailing love from me. (Psalm 66:17-20)"
God Hears Us
Pig trapping illustration,
Bait Of Satan - John Bevere, What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?
Biblereasons.com had these resources on what the Bible Says about Arguing
anxiety, 10-things-that-will-help-you-share-your-faith
Jeremiah 17:9, What does it mean that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), Can Faith Move Mountains?
What the Bible says about Reality, Nature Of Eternal Life
God helps us handle spiritual trails