Snares 2 Tim 2:26 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
There are a number of snares in the Bible of which you must be aware. You can get hung in one of these and never get out. Here are some snares for which to watch out:
The snare of the devil – 1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 2:26 – when a preacher falls into reproach and no longer has a good report without. Also when a man opposes himself against the Lord and turns his back on the truth.
The snare of idolatry – Deut 7:16, 25 – men get hooked on the superstition that surrounds idols and they are ensnared in their worship, fearing lest they should fail to appease their god and suffer evil consequences as a result.
The snare of religion – Hos 9:8; Rom 11:9 – if you grow up in a religion like Catholicism or Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon or Seventh Day Adventist, or Islam it can be very hard to get free from the influence of the false prophets and religious rituals.
The snare of money – 1 Tim 6:9 – the love of money is the root of all evil; when a man will be rich he falls into temptation and a snare. That’s why Solomon said, “Labour not to be rich.”
The snare of ridicule – Prov 29:25 – the fear of man. Men are so scared about the opinions of others that they will not act on anything if they think there is a possibility that someone might talk bad about them for doing it [Jn 9:22]. Politicians won’t take action without first taking a poll.
The snare of wickedness – Ps 9:16 or the snare of transgression – Prov 29:6 – a wicked man is snared by the work of his own hands. He becomes accustomed to what he does and he can’t quit it [like addictions]. His wickedness takes him to his judgment before God and without Christ he winds up in hell.
The snare of the lips – Prov 12:13, 18:7 – we used to say, “He’s a man of his word,” indicating that his word was as good as a contract. He is bound by what he says. It’s still that way. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
The snare of women – Ecc 7:26 – a prudent wife is from the Lord. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing. However, if you end up with the wrong woman, your life will be worse than miserable. Be careful, be prayerful
Conclusion: Keep you eyes open and be on the look out for these subtle snares so that you don’t get taken in them.