Don't Take the Bait
Fleta R. Robinson
A sugar bowl, along with other supplies, is on a small tray on my kitchen counter. A basket of fresh fruit is nearby. A few inches away and against the wall is a tiny opening where the trim almost meets the corner. In front of that barely-open place are two drops of ant poison. For days ants have been coming out of the wee space, eager to nibble on those two little blue dots of poison. Right now those blue drops are black with ants.
Why do I have ants in my home? We live in the country! Intrusions are expected but we don’t have to keep them. I’m glad they are taking the bait. Real food – good nourishment – is nearby. However, the poison attracts the unsuspecting ants. On the bottle of liquid bait ant killer is an explanation: "the ants carry it back to the nest to feed the larvae." Hopefully, before long, we may be free of ants (indoors).
This made me think. What am I swallowing?
How very generous (no mere two drops) Satan is with hell-tainted bait. How effortless it is to absorb his countless poisons. According to educators, we can become what we see, hear, and in what we participate. Any instructor, coach, or parent recognizes that right training is more than important – it is essential.
A daily time with God’s Word, the Bible, can be a spiritual meal of valuable nourishment to body, soul, and spirit. No poison bait here! Rather it creates a strong distaste for the devil’s phoniness.
I turned to Psalm 119 this morning. It has 176 verses, making it the Bible’s longest chapter. It is about the Word of God. What a source of information, instruction, praise and gratitude – as well as requests.
Teach me, redeem me, keep me, give me understanding, strengthen me, direct me, save me, plus MANY more.
The psalm begins with, "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord," and closes with a hopeful confession, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments."
Satan’s conniving, deceitful tactics are all around us. Don’t take the bait!
In spite of the ants, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."* Amen!
* Psalm 118:24