SNARES
1. Snares
a) The Bible describes Satan as a hunter who sets traps (Psalm 91:3, 1 Timothy 3:7). His traps take us by surprise (Ecclesiastes 9:12). Snares are hidden and catch us unexpectedly (Amos 3:5, Obadiah 7). They hold fast their catch (Job 18:9). It takes someone else to get us out, in our case, God.
b) Can God’s children be captured? The obvious answer is “Yes” (Psalm 140:5). What are the snares that hold us captive and hinder us from going on with God? What prevents our freedom in Jesus? What is keeping us from liberty in His Holy Spirit? What does the Bible say about what entraps us?
c) What snares tempt us and entrap us?
i) Alliances, making peace with the world. (Exodus 34:12)
ii) False gods, idols, serving other gods, or serving God like others serve their gods. (Deuteronomy 7:16)
iii) Desire for riches. (Deuteronomy 7:25, 1 Timothy 6:9)
iv) Enemies of God. (Joshua 23:13)
v) Relationships not ordained of God. (1 Samuel 18:21)
vi) Good things. (Judges 8:27)
vii) Leaders. (Job 34:30, Jeremiah 5:26, Hosea 5:1)
viii) Prosperity and security. (Psalm 69:22)
ix) The wicked. (Psalm 119:110, 141:9; Proverbs 22:5)
x) Proud men. (Psalm 140:5)
xi) People. (Psalm 142:3)
xii) Words of our mouths. (Proverbs 6:2, 18:7)
xiii) Sexual seduction. (Proverbs 7:23, Ecclesiastes 7:26)
xiv) Sinful talk (transgression of our lips). (Proverbs 12:13)
xv) Ill-gotten fortune. (Proverbs 21:6)
xvi) Our own sin. (Proverbs 29:6)
xvii) Fear of man. (Proverbs 29:25)
xviii) Reliance on religious tradition and wisdom of man instead of the Word of God. (Isaiah 8:14-15)
d) We avoid being captured in the snares of sin by being warned by the Word of God and not straying from it (Psalm 119:110). To get out of the trap of the evil one, we must ask God to grant repentance, so that we can escape from being held captive to do the will of our adversary (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Then we cry out for God’s mercy, receive God’s forgiveness, and ask Him to empower us by His Spirit to obey from a heart that is totally His.
b) Can God’s children be captured? The obvious answer is “Yes” (Psalm 140:5). What are the snares that hold us captive and hinder us from going on with God? What prevents our freedom in Jesus? What is keeping us from liberty in His Holy Spirit? What does the Bible say about what entraps us?
c) What snares tempt us and entrap us?
i) Alliances, making peace with the world. (Exodus 34:12)
ii) False gods, idols, serving other gods, or serving God like others serve their gods. (Deuteronomy 7:16)
iii) Desire for riches. (Deuteronomy 7:25, 1 Timothy 6:9)
iv) Enemies of God. (Joshua 23:13)
v) Relationships not ordained of God. (1 Samuel 18:21)
vi) Good things. (Judges 8:27)
vii) Leaders. (Job 34:30, Jeremiah 5:26, Hosea 5:1)
viii) Prosperity and security. (Psalm 69:22)
ix) The wicked. (Psalm 119:110, 141:9; Proverbs 22:5)
x) Proud men. (Psalm 140:5)
xi) People. (Psalm 142:3)
xii) Words of our mouths. (Proverbs 6:2, 18:7)
xiii) Sexual seduction. (Proverbs 7:23, Ecclesiastes 7:26)
xiv) Sinful talk (transgression of our lips). (Proverbs 12:13)
xv) Ill-gotten fortune. (Proverbs 21:6)
xvi) Our own sin. (Proverbs 29:6)
xvii) Fear of man. (Proverbs 29:25)
xviii) Reliance on religious tradition and wisdom of man instead of the Word of God. (Isaiah 8:14-15)
d) We avoid being captured in the snares of sin by being warned by the Word of God and not straying from it (Psalm 119:110). To get out of the trap of the evil one, we must ask God to grant repentance, so that we can escape from being held captive to do the will of our adversary (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Then we cry out for God’s mercy, receive God’s forgiveness, and ask Him to empower us by His Spirit to obey from a heart that is totally His.
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