MAY 15, James 4:7

Bee Hoon searched through the tackle box until she found the shiny, silver bait Dad had asked her to get. “Is this the one?” she asked.

Dad took it from her hand. “Yes.” He grinned. “This is the one. As soon as Mr. Fish sees this, I have no doubt he’ll gobble it up.”

“Then we’ll catch him and gobble him up, won’t we?” Bee Hoon beamed excitedly. Dad nodded. “We sure will,” he said. After tying the bait to the fishing line, Dad cast it into the pond. “Want to reel this in and see if we can catch a fish?” he asked.

“Next time,” Bee Hoon said. “You catch one first.”

“Okay,” agreed Dad, turning the reel. “Hey! I think I’ve got a bite!” “All right!” Bee Hoon clapped her hands as Dad reeled in a big fish. “Wow! Are we going to eat it tonight?” she asked as Dad reached for the flopping fish.

Dad nodded. “You have got that right!” he said. When he threw the line out again, he asked, “Do you know why that shiny thing you gave me is called a bait or lure?” Bee Hoon shook her head. “Not really.”

“To bait or lure means to entice something, and that shiny thing entices the fish to attach themselves to the hook,” Dad explained. “It looks good to them and tricks them into thinking it’s good to eat, but when they grab it, they’re caught.” He handed Bee Hoon the fishing rod. “Do you know that Satan often uses lures to trick and trap people?”

Bee Hoon shook her head as she began reeling in the line. “He does?” she asked. “Yes, but not the kind we use,” said Dad. “Satan often tricks people by making sin look attractive. He may get you to think that a sinful activity is harmless or even fun. He may call your attention to somebody who’s gotten away with telling a lie, or shoplifting, and make you think you should try it, too. Or he may use a TV show to make things like drinking alcohol look attractive.”

Bee Hoon finished reeling in the line. “No fish took the lure this time,” she said as she cast the line out again. “I’m going to be careful not to take Satan’s lures, either. I don’t want to be hooked by him!”

“Good!” Dad nodded. “When Satan tempts you, ask God to help you resist by using Bible verses you’ve learned to remind you to do what’s right.”

Thought: Beware – do not fall into Satan’s lures!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please grant me the strength to resist the temptation to sin. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.