Caught in the Trap

Just outside our back door we have set up wasp traps. These consist of hanging containers containing holes that are larger on the outside and more narrow towards the inside. This funnel shape hole makes it easy for the unsuspecting wasp to enter the trap, but extremely difficult and even impossible to get out. In the bottom of the trap is a layer of apple juice. The scent of the juice is the enticement that lures the wasp in. Once inside the wasp enjoys the apple juice but is unable to get back out. The wasp is trapped and eventually dies.

Sin is very much like this wasp trap. From the outside we can catch a scent of something that we believe to be sweet and pleasant. As we approach the scent there is interference from our conscience and knowledge of God’s Word. If we push past this resistance we will crawl through the hole and place ourselves inside the devils trap.

Sin can taste sweet and be pleasurable for a time, but getting away from it can become extremely difficult. Like the holes in the wasp trap the entrance to sin is wide, but the exit back to a righteous lifestyle can be narrow and difficult to find.  “…for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. (Matthew 7:13b AMP) The end result of a life of sin is spiritual death. “For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 AMP)

On occasion, I have seen wasps frantically make the futile attempt to exit the trap. Although they were able to squeeze through a hole having begun with the wider opening, they cannot seem to even find a place to begin their exit. They bounce against the wall of the trap repeatedly, as they desperately seek to find the opening through which they entered. Any opening to freedom would be welcome. Eventually they drown in the apple juice that initially enticed their entrance to this trap.

Once caught up in a sinful lifestyle, we can believe that there is no way back to the freedom once we knew. We can falsely believe that we have gone so far the even God cannot or will not forgive us. We may try good deeds, countless tears and endless litanies of prayers and promises. Nothing we attempt will bring the relief from guilt and hopelessness. On our own we cannot break free. We will die inside.

The words of the apostle Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, (see 1 Timothy 1:15) gives us a great encouragement. ^“O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?  O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25 AMP) We cannot find a way of escape in our own human strength and ability. But God did not leave us there. He sent Jesus Christ to be that way of escape for us. ^“Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP) The death of Jesus on the cross broke the bondage of sin and death. Now we can look to Him and follow Him out of sin’s traps. We can walk in the bountiful free gift of eternal life He has promised.

The best path to walk passes by the traps completely living in the freedom that Jesus has provided. If we are caught in a sin, we must not waste time and energy attempting to break free by our own strength. We look to Jesus, repent of our sin, and receive His freedom and forgiveness. This will demolish the barriers put up by any trap the enemy has laid before us.

Get free, today. Live free, forever!