"Fishing Lure Nibbler"

By: Zach Wood

Romans 8:12-14

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

 

 

I never thought I would write a devotional with the word "fishing" in the title.  I don't really consider myself a fisherman by any means.  I used to fish a lot when I was a kid with my dad, but now in my later years, I don't do a whole lot.  However, one thing I do know is that fish are easily lured by the baited hook that is put into the water.  Whatever you might bait your hook with, live or fake, is intended to lure a fish to take a bite and start the action.  If there was never any fish that took the lure, fishing would not be as popular as it is today.  It's a huge deal in so many parts of the country, whether it's ice fishing or regular water fishing.  Many people get into fishing here in Minnesota.  The whole point is to be patient and wait for the fish to bite for the action. 

 

I remember myself saying when I used to fish, "Come on, just bite it!"  On that note, I believe Satan uses the exact same strategy with us in luring our sinful desires.  He knows exactly what bait to use and the precise point and place to drop the lure in.  He knows we are swimming around in the lake of life looking for something to satisfy our sinful desires.  We all have them.  God knows we have them, but He doesn't want us to be lured by them.  1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  From reading this passage, I've always pictured Satan pacing back and forth with drool and foam coming from his mouth just waiting for one of us to bite that hook.  

 

You know what the problem is, though?  We don't exactly bite onto the hook every time.  Sometimes, we kind of nibble a little and see how much of the sinful desires we can satisfy before Satan really hooks us.  He loves it when we just nibble here and nibble there.  All it takes is the little nibbles and he's got us!  What a sly guy!  And...he's good!  He's got us right where he wants us.  It's our choice to nibble or to completely swim away.  Swimming away doesn't seem as enjoyable when the desires are strong, but it's always the best choice.  Resisting is also the hardest choice. 

 

These past 2 weeks I have been going over and over Romans 8 where Paul talks about "Life Through The Spirit".  I've read it so many times and it continues to speak volumes to me!  It's just really had an effect on me lately and I've just wanted to keep reading it to burn it into my mind that I need to live according to the Spirit and not to the spirit of this sinful world.  I've become too much of a fishing lure nibbler on Satan's fishing line.  He gets me and uses his hook to scratch up the inside of my heart.  However, God is always there to provide healing and forgiveness when I come to Him with a broken heart and a cry for mercy.  I don't understand His love, but I'm glad He gives it to me even though I continue to fall victim to the lure.  

 

What "lure" or "lures" are you nibbling on right now?  Are you finding yourself fighting and wrestling with the fishing line that Satan has you hooked on?  God can and will give you the strength to put to death the desires of the flesh and live according to His Spirit.  We are all fishing lure nibblers, but we don't have to remain that way.