This morning the Deacon and myself visited the local High School and I delivered this devotional. We need to minister to the children especially the teens, we can not in these modern times count on reaching the parents as many dont attend church. And in today's world the most vulnerable are the youngest of the flock. Devotional: 22 September 2025 Phalaborwa Methodist Church THE TRAP OF SIN JAMES 1 12 Blessed the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. The WOLF TRAP Do you know how an Eskimo traps a wolf? First, he takes his hunting knife and hones the blade until it's razor sharp. Then he dips the blade in animal blood and allows the blood to freeze on the knife. He coats it several times, layer after layer, until the blade is coated with frozen blood. Next, he takes the knife to a place where wolves have been spotted or where their droppings have been seen. He buries the knife handle in the frozen ground so the blood-coated blade is sticking up. Then he leaves. That's all there is to it. You see, a wolf will smell the blood on the knife and follow its sensitive nose to the source of the appetising scent. Upon finding the knife, the wolf will carefully lick the bloody ice. As he does so, the frozen blood will rouse his animal hunger, and he'll begin licking faster and faster until the ice is licked away, and the sharp blade is exposed. Because of his ravenous hunger, the wolf doesn't notice when the naked blade begins to shred his own tongue and the blood he is licking becomes his own. He continues to lap up the blood from his own tongue until the loss of blood weakens him, and he slumps down in the snow to die. That is a picture of how temptation traps us. Like the wolf, we think that doing wrong, whether it's lying, cheating, drugs, drinking, sleeping around, smoking cigarettes etc is fun, and safe. But without realising it, our evil desires lead to evil actions, which lead to danger and eventually to death, not just physically but also spiritually. Don't be fooled by the temptation to sin. The wrong choice may seem attractive, even delicious-but it will get you in the end. Remember the flesh wants to enjoy life because it knows it's not going with to the afterlife so it's focused on the here and now, that's why the Scripture teaches us to crucify the flesh and pick up our cross daily so our Spirit can rise above our earthly sinful flesh. REFLECT: What four steps to death does today's Bible reading talk about? Does God tempt you to sin? Where does the temptation come from? Do you think temptation to do wrong ever brings good results? Why or why not? What can you do to resist temptation? ACT: Place a butter knife (not one with a sharp blade!) in a conspicuous spot today, where it will remind you of the dangerous lure of temptation. CLOSING VERSE AND ADVICE 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (The verse comes from dealing with false teachers). 1. Find a Bible, a good one and be rooted in it, read it every day. It will be your sword in this world and test every situation and teaching you get against it, for God's Word is the Anvil the opinions of man are smashed on. 2. Build a relationship with God, make time for Him daily. Be in prayer in all things, He is your Father and He loves you. PRAY: "Lord, I'm trusting you to help me resist temptation and walk away from the lures of sin."

Posted by Kalevra01 at 2025-09-22 09:08:55 UTC