DON’T TAKE THE BAIT Sep 08 2024
James 1: 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
This passage refers to a fish attracted by a bait-when taking the bait the fish is hooked and in the fisherman’s frying pan. Or the lust for things or people created by the flesh to cause a person to take the bait and sin.
If we take the bait and the sin is not repented, remains unconfessed, and NOT paid for by the blood of Christ then the Fisherman’s frying pan will be in Hell and we will be in it. The Fisherman is the Devil.
Let’s Pray
1. Fishing with my brother in laws for Walleyes on Lake Erie
a. To entice the fish they use Bandits in the Spring and spinners in the summer
They had large tackle boxes, like jewelry boxes full of bandits and spinners changing them frequently to see what would entice the Walleye, so he would get hooked.
b. We would fish real close to the Ohio line, but if you crossed that line you could get a real big fine-just like the penalty of crossing the line from temptation into sin.
Satan baits us or tempts us in many ways today I am going to talk about 2 temptaions where people take the bait. Unfortunately, there are way more than just 2 temptations. Today we will examine the sin of offense-t and some results of becoming offended and the sin of lust.
2. So let me tell you the story today about some people who Took the Bait of being offended and the bait of Lust.
a. et us start with a story about a prominent person in the Bible who preached a message of REPENTANCE and yet was not immune from taking the bait himself.
b. John the Baptist is an important person in the ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. John is born to Zechariah, a Levitical priest, and Elizabeth, he is Jesus’ cousin.
Isaiah prophesies about John ch 40:3 repeated in the NT in Matt. 3 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said,“The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”
John prepared the way for Jesus dressed in a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
3. About some people who took the BAIT and sought repentance
a. If people are going to come to Jesus they must be convicted of their sinfulness.
During John’s time, people from all the region were going out to him, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins, it was a baptism for repentance NOT for salvation. But remember Repentance comes early in God’s Plan of Salvation-It comes after we hear the Word-The Truth and are convicted of our sins.
4. Now there are some who take the bait and allow it to grow a bitter root They are NOT Convicted Nor Repentant.
b. King Herod had an ungodly marriage to Herodias his niece, who had been his brother Philip’s wife. Philip was still living, and both Philip and Herod were Herodias’ uncles.
Herodias was their niece so God only knows what lust enticed them to marry their niece.
—for several reasons, then, Herod’s marriage to Herodias was a violation of God’s law (Lev 18:16 ;20:21). 16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness.
Herodias seethed with anger toward John the Baptist because he dared to speak out, and, to appease his wife, Herod had the prophet thrown into prison.Herodias loathed John and wanted him dead (Mark 6: 17-20). V17 For Herod himself had sent men and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so; 20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he used to enjoy listening to him.
If Herod and Herodias had been convicted of their sins and repented-maybe even been baptized in the wilderness by John; well in the long run they might have come to Jesus. But they took the bait and they let the bitter root grow into the bowels of Hell.
5. Even the best of us are tempted and enticed to take the bait
a. So as John sits in Herod’s rat and cockroach infested prison eating green baloney sandwiches he sends some of his disciples with a message for Jesus. I believe, John had taken the bait of Satan and was offended that he had NOT been rescued.
In Luke 7: 19 And saying, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?”
My take on John’s question by way of his disciples to Jesus is this Hey cousin-maybe you are busy-maybe what I have done for you has slipped your mind-I know you are dealing with a very important ministry currently-but hey if you could kindly spare a minute I sure would like to be set free and get out of this dungeon. I know you have healed people from afar before -so I also know you could certainly facilitate my release from where you are. Just speak my release and the gates will open for me.
However, Jesus’ response is: In LK 7: 22“Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”
b. Yikes- As downtrodden as John was I believe he must have taken seriously Jesus’ encouragement DON’T be offended be Blessed. He must have been filled with hope and felt secure once again when he heard the words “ dead people are raised up” So John Do Not be offended. And the same goes for us “DON’T BE OFFENDED BE BLESSED”
I Do Not know why God would free others from prison and Not John- I do Not know WHY God heals some people and others die. What I do know is God’s ways are mysterious and we NO matter how educated will never have the mind of God- Because HE is God and We are NOT!
But I believe John would most certainly remember this encouragement from our Lord-because things are about to change. I believe John concluded his work on earth was done and he lived for Christ and NOW he would remain in prison or die.
6. Herodias had already taken the Devil’s bait to be offended
And severely offended she was!
a. In Mark 6 we read this account: Seizing the opportunity of Herod’s birthday party, where many guests would be present and the alcohol would flow. Herodias set about her plan to have John the Baptist put to death. You see when too much alcohol is ingested people get drunk and judgment becomes severely, if not fatally impaired.
1. Court TV
In a Wisconsin trial a drunk man offended by a happy go lucky guy’s tattoos- although the victim was doing his best to leave- the drunk man chases him, punches him and kills him.
b. At the banquet, Herodias’s daughter, whom tradition names Salome, who also took the bait and used her youth and beauty to perform a provocative dance designed to arouse her audience with lust.
Salome’s performance greatly pleased the king and his guests. I mean he had already had relations with his brother’s wife who was their niece. In his current frame of mind we understand Why he is pleased with a lustful dance by his step daughter also another niece.
Sin permeates like yeast it spreads and affects those around us. It can destroy families, churches and entire nations. Herod had taken the bait of lust, but one would assume so had many of his guests.
Herod told the girl, “Ask me for anything you like and I will give it to you . . . up to half my kingdom!” (Mark 6: 22-23). With these words, King Herod flaunted his generosity and greatness before his guests, but soon he would deeply regret this vow. (And here we see the sin of pride)
c. Herodias’s daughter went and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Queen Herodias replied, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!” (Mark 6:24). Not skipping a beat, the girl hurried back to Herod and said, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter”. It appears her cruelty matched her mother’s.
d. Mark 6:27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29
7. I believe that John was comforted and reassured by Jesus words:
a. People who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”
7. The preacher’s job continues to be making straight paths for the church and for sinful people to come to the cross and be saved by Jesus through their faithful obedience
8. Today’s message is about being tempted to sin because of LUST or because we have been offended.
a. I see people who hate people because of something they said or did to them and in some cases hate people who have NOT done or said anything to them at all, but simply hate them because of who they are. I listen to PEOPLE who are full of hate for a political candidate or an ethnic group. I am sure you see this too-but LET US NOT BE IN THE GROUP WHO HATE- For it is a Spiritual Battle and requires OUR prayers. People who HATE have taken the bait
b. The devil is a murderer, a deceiver, the Father of lies and he will tempt us in many ways besides lust and offense.
1. When we take the bait- we do not forgive- we want vengeance- while the entire time- The Lord is telling us do not retaliate- forgive them because vengeance belongs to HIM. People who are offended- when they take the bait and continue in their anger, their hatred and their bitterness, everyday it is like they swallow a “poison Pill” that they think will hurt or kill the one who offended them, but in reality it is destroying their earthly lives and putting at risk their hope of entering heaven.
Once we take the bait of offense or lust we are hooked on the sin and we grow a deep root of bitterness and lust that digs its way deep down into the bowels of Hell.
A Christians must let offense and insults roll of our backs. We should have skin as tough as alligator hide and hearts as soft as jello. When it comes to lust we must guard our eyes.
2. Explain: We have a saying “Let it go Ed is dead”. The way that saying came about is I was on vacation in NC with Mark and Julie Pippin members at FCC of Seminole. On our way to breakfast we spotted a Gem show. I was excited, because I like that kind of stuff. However, we could not get into because it was for dealer’s only. I was disappointed and became upset about it. I ranted about it all the way to the restaurant. The restaurant was named ED’s. So, upon entering, I asked the hostess where was ED? She replied” that ED was dead.” Well. Upon sitting at our table I continued my rant about the Gem show when the waitress looked at me and said “Let IT GO”. When she took our order and headed to the kitchen I began on the Gem show again when Julie Pippin turned to me and said “LET IT GO ED IS DEAD”.
After that when one of us was hurt by someone, offended by someone we would look at each other and then remind them to just “Let it go Ed is Dead,” life is too short and eternity is too long to handle being offended any other way!
Can we like Jesus on the cross and Like Stephen who was being stoned to death because the Sanhedrin were offended in Acts 7: 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.
Can we forgive people of their offenses and ask God to forgive them too, not holding their sins against us against them. I am certain Stepehen did not want to risk entering heaven with unforgiveness in his heart. Acts 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. He died.
Church Heaven awaits us and SO may we NOT allow any Offense, Pride or Lust-get in the way and exclude us from entering those Pearly Gates! Amen
IN CLOSING (Roaring Lion)
Peter writes I want you to Be according 1PT. 5:8-11 of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 So resist him, remain firm in your faith.
8. THE INVITATION ALL OF US HAVE SINNED
a. When we having heard the truth, and believe by Faith that Jesus is the Christ, we repent, believing that His blood shed can remove our sins, in obedience we are Baptized in the baptism of salvation. Our sins are washed away and we come out of that baptismal a new creation with the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us and through His power we can resist and there is always provided by God an escape.
b. The song of invitation
9. Closing prayer
Father
Help us put on the full armor you have provided that we might not be fooled by the Devil’s lies. Remind us that He who is in us is greater and stronger than he who is in the world and when we resist temptation the devil will flee.
Watch over us Father each and every day and bring us back every Lord’s day that we may gather together to worship and praise you.
In Jesus name amen
(1) https://www.gotquestions.org/life-John-Baptist.html
(2) https://archive.org/details/TheBaitOfSatan_201212
