Traps to Avoid

Years ago, there was a viral video about fishing. There was a man fishing at a lake. While waiting for a fish to bite, he noticed a crisp red apple sitting on a rock near him. He reached over, picked it up, and took a bite. Suddenly, something started to pull him towards the water. There was a line attached to his mouth pulling him into the lake and eventually, the fisherman disappeared under the water. A few moments later, another apple shot out of the water, line attached, and landed back on the rock. The fish had turned the tables.

Temptations are like an alluring bait with a hidden barbed hook within. There are no shortage of baits or hooks that we see in our daily lives. These traps are hard to avoid.    

In Luke 17:1-6, warns his disciples to be on guard against temptations that are ready to trap them. Jesus then warns them of an even greater danger. He says what is even worse than giving into temptation is to lead vulnerable ones into temptation. The consequences of tempting others are far worse than even death.  

Most importantly, the best way to avoid temptation is to never walk alone and when someone sins we are to patiently call them to repentance and forgive them. The disciples knew this wouldn't be easy so they asked for more faith.