Trapped!

Read Proverbs 5

An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.

Proverbs 5:22

This proverb pictures a person who, spiritually speaking, trips over his own feet. Although we rarely enjoy accepting responsibility for our mistakes, we have to admit they are our mistakes. Though we live in an adversarial culture, we cannot blame our sinfulness on it. Though we may be bombarded with temptation in everyday circumstances, we are not so easily let off the hook.

We are like a deep-sea tuna following its instincts toward bait, only to be ensnared by a fisherman’s net. Likewise, in our natural habitat—the world—we follow our natural instincts toward the things we want: money, power, sex. Yet we soon find ourselves ensnared by such vices. We are roped in, caught, and held tightly in sin’s grip. Ironically, we find ourselves in such a predicament because of personal choice. We are our own captors. This proverb reminds us that everyone sins by nature and by choice.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Sin ensnares.

Today, Lord, free me from my sin and the temptations that ensnare me.