Qorintiym Sheniy (2 Corinthians) 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Do you know what satan's devices are? Are you aware of the devices he uses against us on a daily basis? This post will help you identify the different devices satan uses to keep us away from our Calling, away from our Purpose in Life, and away from Him.
There is a woman named Cynthia Heald who writes self help books based on Scripture. One of her books is called Becoming a Woman of Freedom. Some of the information and ideas I have for this pose will be taken from there. You can find her books on Amazon or at NavPress.com.
What is a Snare?
Snare: 1a (1) : a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling birds or mammals (2) : trap, gin b (1) : something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded (2) : something deceptively attractive
2[probably from Dutch snaar, literally, cord; akin to Old High German snuor]a : one of the catgut strings or metal spirals of a snare drumb : snare drum
Scripture on Snares: Psalm 35, Jeremiah 18,1 Timothy 3
1. Hindrances
(Hebrews 12 tells us to lay away hindrances)
***What is a hindrance?
1:the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down : the state of being hindered
hindrance of speech
2: a person or thing that interferes with or slows the progress of someone or something : impediment
a hindrance to learning
3: the act of interfering with or slowing the progress of someone or something : the action of hindering
should be allowed to live where he chooses without hindrance
Knowing the definition of hindrance can you see how people, jobs, or extra curricular activities can hinder our walk with Yah and our life in general. When we fill our lives with people or activities that are there to take our minds off of our Mission or to keep us from our Walk with Yah, we do not need them in our life.
Hindrances can be:
1. Family- those who do not understand our walk with Yah; those who do not believe in Yah; those who take from you, or turn their back on you in your last hour. These members can consist of: Your children, siblings or even parent. Be Aware of the Family Snare at all times.
Scripture Examples: Esau, Cain, King Solomon,
Scripture for How to overcome family issues: Job, Always JOB!!
(We are told to love yes, but to cut out tares or toxic people in our lives is a Must. Yahusha did not make friend with the pharisees because He could Identify someone by their soul and So Can You!!)
2. Work environment- Society has claimed we need new everything. Most people work 40 plus hours a week without ever seeing their children. Or when they are home its for 3 hours a day or less. You can slave away your life if you choose but your children will lack the nourishment from you they need from you now. We all have bills but our Family should be 1st.
3. Friends- Having friends is a great thing if you are in line with Torah and the Word of Yah. Friends who have the same Spiritual aspect of life can be a beautiful thing. However those who do not hold your morals and values can create tension and keep you off your walk.
(WE are called to be Set-Apart. Sometimes that means being Alone)
4. Hobbies or extra Activities- When you don't have money for something you should not go and spend what you do not have just so you can say you went there or did this. You need to understand that pleasure without cause is a major stumbling block satan uses to keep you off guard. It's fine to have fun, but most people are caught months later wondering how they are going to pay their mortgage when the new car or cruise to the Bahamas was not needed.
2. Pride
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
***What is Pride?
1: the quality or state of being proud: such as a : inordinate self-esteem : conceit b : a reasonable or justifiable self-respect c : delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship
parental pride
2: proud or disdainful behavior or treatment : disdain
The Effects of Pride can lead to:
Marqus (Mark) 7:21-23 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness, All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Being proud of accomplishing something can feel great. However, when you boast about it, or flaunt your achievements in front of others for self-gratification, That is Wrong!!
Examples of Prideful people in Scripture: Nebuchadnezzar, King Solomon, Peter-(Matthew 26:31-35)
Scripture to Read on Pride and remain at rest against the Proud: Psalm 119
Haughty goes with Pride; it means: Having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think they are better, smarter, more important than others.
3. Our Past
Did you know our past can be a snare the devil uses to hold us hostage?
Significant losses can weigh on us and can burden us from the Truth and our Path with Yahuah.
Examples:
1. Past physical, mental, emotional abuse
2. The things we did before we discovered Yahuah and Repented of Sin and Turned Away from desires of the Flesh
3. Feeling like nobody understands you so you don't care about your actions
4. Death of a family member
These are just a few devices satan uses against us. In Psalm 142 we can see David feeling like the world is against him no matter what he does. However, he knows Yahah is his protection and will see him through.
We too can learn from David and his faith to keep us in line with what Yahuah has placed before us. We must remember NOTHING is to hard to overcome, it is All about Perspective.
Perspective: 1a : a mental view or prospect to gain a broader perspective on the international scene —Current Biography b: a visible scene; especially : one giving a distinctive impression of distance : vista 2a : the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed places the issues in proper perspective
; also : point of view b : the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance trying to maintain my perspective
When you change your perspective on a situation, you can begin to see the evil that is driving the negative effects occurring. You must never forget satan tempted Yahusha!!
Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
How can we place our past into proper perspective?
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
4. Trying to Please People
Examples: Peer Pressure, going broke to ensure your child has the latest fashion, living for others approval rather than Yah's, keeping pagan traditions, living outside your means, placing you or your loved one in harms way for someone else's benefit...
Freedom comes when we are not people pleasers.
What is freedom? 1: the quality or state of being free: such as a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous
freedom from care
d : unrestricted use
gave him the freedom of their home
spoke the language with freedom
f : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken
answered with freedom
g : improper familiarity h : boldness of conception or execution
We do not have to be behind bars, or in chains to be a prisoner. Living life for others makes us their slaves. Living for objects makes trinkets, or cars or houses our masters.
Examples of living freely in opposition: 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Corinthians 9
Here you will find how Paul became a man of freedom even when being oppressed.
Other snares include:
1. Tv shows and commercials- They make you want to buy things you do not need
2. video game violence- promotes in appropriate behavior, especially in children
3. Breaking the 10 Commandments- Yes Even 1!
4. The main flesh desires: fornication, lust, greed, adultery, money, power, fame...
5. Most recently the Lies the religious leaders have fed us.
When you can sit back and reflect on the people, places, and things in life that are causing a disturbance in your walk and mental health, you should asses these factors. Nothing is permanent, things can change. Yes, with proper guidance even the jobs you hold, or the children's moods and behavior can change. But once 18, sometimes you forget they are not children any longer. Yahuah loves them more than you do and with that, All you can and should do, is give the burden to Yah no matter how hard and walk away. In time He will direct your path.
Know your enemy, know your snares and become Free!!
Comments