Lured Away?

2 Timothy 4:10

For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world

In my office, there hangs a 10 1/2 pound black bass mounted on the wall. A juicy plastic purple worm lured him in. I had to throw it a few times in the same whole before he took the bait. 

What has Satan lured in front of you? He is always throwing out different lures to get us off the mark. In the word of God, you'll find several who chose to take the bait.

What lure was it that got Demas off course? What was it that he chose not to stay with Paul? The word states; "that he loved this present world." How many times have you watched someone go back into the world?

How many times in the word of God have we observed those who veered off track?

Gehazi, one of Elisha's servants was lured away. Naaman had been healed of leprosy. He finally obeyed the prophet to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan.

Naaman had offered the prophet money for his gratitude. Elisha said; "this it not the time to receive any money." Then we read where Gehazi slips off and chases Naaman down and says; "the prophet has changed his mind, he'll take your silver after all. We know that was a lie, it was Gehazi's greed that caused him to chase down the money.

He gladly gives him silver. Later Elisha ask; where have you been Gehazi? After he lies, Elisha says the leprosy that Naaman had will come upon you and your seed forever.

Judas couldn't keep his heart and hands away from the reward to turn in Jesus. The elders and the high priest had offered a prize of silver to the one who would reveal where Jesus was.

Judas chose to go after the silver. He was promised that he would receive 30 pieces of silver for the deal. Judas was so miserable after his betraying his Lord that he went out afterwards and hung himself.

Satan will never show you what's on the other side of your temptation. Judas later realized the horrible mistake that he had made. Jesus would have forgiven him like he did other's, but Judas couldn't forgive himself.

What has Satan lured in front of you? It may not be a juicy purple worm, no that would do nothing to most of us, but mark my words, He is going to throw something your way to get your eyes off of your call, your purpose, your destiny for your life.

Can we escape the lures of this world? Paul says: "There hath not temptation taken you but such is common to man, but God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way for you to escape."1 Cor 10:12

There is a way of escape today, and yes  you are on track at this very moment by your waiting in God's presence and in His word. Keep it up, it will protect you and cover you with the armor of God to be able to stand against the wiles or the lures of the devil.