Learning about temptation from a fish

This may sound a little silly at first but follow me on this:

Imagine that you are a fish (see I TOLD you this would sound silly). You are swimming in a beautiful, clear mountain river. The cloudless blue sky above is vibrant with color. The sun’s rays are penetrating the water and enliven every muscle in your body.

You don’t have a care in the world as you swim around in that river. You dart here and there gathering little tidbits of food. Much of your time is simply spent enjoying the experience of moving effortlessly through the water.

You feel so alive!

Then, your eyes observe the moment a worm drops into the water in the distance. It looks delicious and the first fish there will enjoy the meal. Rather than lose such a prized possession, you race toward your prey. "Oh, what an incredible day is this!"

As you near the worm, you open your mouth wide already savoring it in your imagination. You bite down … and immediately feel a piercing pain. Your mouth feels like it is on fire. A moment later, the pain becomes unfathomable as a hook penetrates your flesh and your body is yanked through the water.

In fear, you try to swim the other way. A thoroughly peaceful moment has now turned to sheer terror as you fight for your life. But, it’s too late. The inevitable is happening and you will be someone’s dinner within a few hours. The one who put the hook in your mouth will be filled with joy as they savor every last bite.

That word picture is what we must keep in mind every time we toy with sin and temptation. Satan, the fisherman loves to bait his hooks so that we are tempted to go against God’s law - which are intended for our good. But, in so doing, we throw caution to the wind and are free to experience the consequences whatever they are and whenever they come.

The best thing we could do is to see Satan and sin for what they are. His desire is to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) and sin accomplishes that purpose. Don't take his bait! Ask God for strength to say "No!" to temptation. If you take the bait and violate God's instructions, you are doing so to your own harm.

1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”