THE SNARES INSIDE OF US

Psalms 119:110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

I saw a movie once called “The Thief of Baghdad”. Part of the plot was for someone to retrieve a black diamond hidden inside at the top of a hollow mountain. The brave soul attempting the feat had to enter inside the mountain through a cave and walk up a treacherous narrow pathway. On either side of the pathway sat deadly tempting traps and snares, such as treasure chests or beautiful women. They were all surrounded by deadly marshes with fierce animals. Some of the distractions were voices insulting the treasure seeker hoping to provoke him away from the straight and narrow path and into a fight.

A prince, quite sure of himself, was tempted by the golden chest, and barely made it past the beautiful woman. But when someone uttered an insult towards his family line, his pride got the better of him; he left the straight and narrow path and fell in the marshes. His servant, a humble soul, came to his rescue. He had seen the miserable vain promiscuous life of his wealthy master, so neither the gold chest nor the beautiful women tempted him. He was of low birth so he could not argue against the truth when it was told that his father was a bastard and his mother a prostitute. In the story, not only did he get the diamond, but he also rescued his foolish master.

Our life is full of such scenarios. The enemy knows our weakness for wealth, vanity and pride. He knows the snares inside of us. He has used these very elements to keep us away from God from the Garden of Eden on. Oh what protection we enjoy once we set the attitudes of our spirit in line with His. May we today enjoy it today by following His teachings of humility and live wholesome lives as outlined in His precepts.

Matthew 5:3-10 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.