Temptation

There are many methods used for catching animals alive. We are told by travelers that one way of catching a certain kind of monkey is as follows: A large coker-nut shell is obtained, and in one end of this is bored a hole about the size of a florin, and to the other end is securely fastened a strong cord. Within the shell, and as
near to the hole as possible, is placed a small "fit-bit" which is known to be liked by the monkey. The coker-nut shell is then placed in a position where the animal will notice it, and the extreme end of the cord is held by the trapper, who is concealed behind a tree or shrub. It is generally not long before a monkey approaches it, quickly sees the appetizing "tit-bit" within, puts its paw into the hole, and clasps the morsel tightly. The trapper then slowly, and very gradually, pulls the shell, by means of the cord, towards his hiding place. The monkey, startled by the movement, clasps the "fit-bit" all the tighter, and its clenched paw, while holding the food, is too large to pass out through the hole. In its fright it has not the sense to open its paw and drop the morsel, and so be able to extricate it, and therefore is pulled, with the shell, nearer and nearer to the trapper, and is soon caught.

Satan tries to "catch" boys and girls in a somewhat similar manner. He places temptations to sin in their way, but makes them so attractive that boys and girls may be tempted to "taste and try." "It looks so nice, so harmless," and you say, "I don't think it's very wrong, and I would like to do it." Perhaps you do, and then do it again; then it becomes a little easier to do something that is even more wrong. You have gripped the Devil's bait, and he is drawing you into more sin, and nearer to his wicked self. There is only one way to safety, and that is, to ask God to forgive you, and release you from sin and the power of Satan's attractions and traps.

He will give you the strength to "let go" of the sin, and will purify and free you from it. Jesus died to save us from all the attractiveness and power of sin. Let us go to Him in simple faith, ask Him to help us in time of temptation to resist the Devil, and then he will flee from us.