The Lure
On one of my more recent photography outings, I encountered a couple fishermen and as fate would have it, we struck up a great conversation - one would think it would’ve been centered around fishing, but nope. It was about photography! I immediately knew these was no ordinary fishermen I was talking to, when I was asked, “What focal length are you using there?”
From there the conversation went to primes versus zoom lenses, then to Hasselblad cameras, then composition techniques. I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued that I had stumbled upon these gentlemen, photographers in the past, now avid fishermen.
What caught my eye next is where I want to focus our attention today - dangling from the fishing line of one of their fishing rods was a fishing lure. This artificial fishing bait is designed to attract the attention of unsuspecting fish who are attracted to it’s prey-like appearance, how it moves in the water, it’s bright reflections and flashy colors. It is designed to appeal to the fish, enticing it into taking a bite! But as we all know, that bite will most likely be their last. Hidden in that lure, is one or more hooks that impale the fish’s mouth when it bites and swallows.
So I did what any photographer would do in that moment - I took a picture of it!
Then later on, as I was going through my images, I got to thinking…and the scripture in James chapter 1 came to mind. I pictured a school of fish, swimming comfortably along, minding their own business, when the enemy (the devil) cast his line hoping to catch their attention. Many will ignore and stay the course, but a few will be tempted, drawn away and enticed by that “irresistible” lure. The enemy knows how and when to bait us - he uses the things he knows will pull us farther and farther away from God and closer to him. The things that will pull us farther away from eternal life, and closer to certain death. He is cunning, slick and patient. He knows how to conceal that deadly hook amongst the alluring and seductive decoy. He is out to kill, steal and destroy!
Then I realized something - that it was a bad day for the fishermen, but a good day for the fish. It didn’t work! The fish didn’t bite. They didn’t take the bait!
Here’s the take home point - temptation will come our way, but like Jesus we are not to give in, but resist the devil. Jesus Himself was tempted, but never sinned. As a believer in Jesus Christ, as a child of God, we are born again and those lustful appetites that plagued us for so long, no longer have that power over our lives. He has set us free, and we are free indeed!
James 1:14 - But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
John 8:36 - If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
