“This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him…” John‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” II Corinthians‬ ‭11:12-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Our foundational text in 2 Corinthians packs so much wisdom. Satan sets traps in the form of light in order to bait us in to be used by him. Relationships that trip us up. Opportunities that aren’t God’s will. Fun nights that turn into addictions. Once you are tricked by the light, you have now become his bait.

Think about the reading from yesterday (John 8). It was not about the woman’s adultery; Rather, it was always about trying to trap Jesus into either speaking against the law or condemning who He said He came to save. Had He told them to stone her, it would be contradicting what Jesus was sent for. If He told them not to, He would be going against the law.  Same with Genesis and the fall of Adam and Eve. It was never about the apple. Do you really believe Satan cares about fruit? No! The plan since the beginning was to use what God loves to do what God hates, in an attempt to trap God and choke the life out of his people.

But God, in His goodness and mercy, has a plan that thwarts satan’s. He sent Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin (2 Corinth 5). That’s why you have to be careful of the lies satan tries to feed you. There’s always a way back to God! That’s the whole purpose of Him sending Jesus. He became what He hates to save who He loves. This is redemption!

When we do not recognize satan’s light, we put ourselves in the position to be his bait. It is no coincidence that he is depicted as a serpent. Pythons squeeze their prey until it suffocates.

What have you accepted as light that has you unable to breathe? Have you taken the bait?

Xoxo