Have you ever been snared? Merriam-Webster defines snare as to capture; to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers; to entangle or hold as if in a snare. Among the synonyms are ensnare, entrap, tangle. Animals are snared, but what about we humans?
We often innocently get caught up in the snares of family trouble, friends who come upon trouble and as believers we are to exercise compassion and be willing to help in whatever way we can. Always seeking God’s will for the part we are to play in the difficulties of others. That is what Jesus would have us do. That is what our heart leads us to do. But we must always remember we are not the source of happiness. Only a relationship with Christ brings overcoming and victory in lives…Not us.
But there is a snare that can pull us into man created drama. Haven’t we all had experience with someone who used self imposed drama to draw our hearts into their tangled web. All of us have a centerpoint. An axis that we revolve around. It is either honorable or dishonorable. It is either good or evil. Two cannot be ruler of the heart. We cannot have two masters. We either serve God or we serve His enemy…satan, and the demons and idols he places to change our lives.
I suggest that the place where Jesus abides is an honorable place. The throne of grace in our lives. The platform of forgiveness of our sins. The place where our compassion, forgiveness and love for others comes. Our care center. Where tears and concern for the difficulties that others find themselves victim too, are born. Goodness. Light.
The opposite of that is the place of dishonor. The throne of disgrace and abuse of the kindness of the kind hearted. The launching pad of unforgiveness and constant trial. The place where selfishness and hate are born. Not a care center for others but a selfish, “what can I get out of this situation” thought process. A place where deceiving and fake tears are born. Deceit. Darkness.
We fall head first into a snare. We believe in the name of Jesus, that we are making a difference in the lives of someone seemingly caught in an unbelievable situation through no fault of their own. Someone who cries crocodile tears that we mistook for pain and concern over the situation they find themselves. We jump in with our heart, our money and our concern to be the “salvation” of their day, in the name of Jesus. The problem? Only Jesus brings salvation. Only Jesus enables us to assist those in need. Only Jesus can break through and “save” the lost. We are only vehicles of delivery. Delivery of the message of Christ.
It may take a while, but the day of truth will finally come. A soul can pretend they are godly for a little while. A wolve in sheep’s clothing sooner or later will let the mask slip and reveal the real heart that has been at work, deceiving the one who has a heart that desires to be busy at loving, in the name of Jesus. The heart of compassion. The heart that loses sleep over the demise of another in deep trouble.
What to do. How do we know?
First we should never be fearful of man. We should never help people based on a fear of what might be said of us if we weigh the situation and withdraw. We should seek God’s counsel in all efforts to help. The Lord is not the only One who will place opportunities before us to exercise the truths that He teaches in His word. The enemy is also capable of bringing opportunities meant to destroy our peace, distract us and take energy from us that could be better served assisting one who God has truly placed in our midst needing help.
Before falling head first into a situation, we should pray. Pray that God will reveal to us what part, if any, we should play in the life of another. Learn to discern all the details.
So, we tried. We became ensnared. We learned the hard way. If indeed, the relationship was not God directed, we can then look back and see all the tell tell signs were there, but we were blinded to the truth of the situation. We tried to help further the name of Jesus in the life of this person. The problem? The heart we thought we were helping, was closed in sin and using us. From that experience we learn to call Jesus into everything. We will never regret the help we gave because it was given in the spirit of Jesus’ love. We will never know if that effort put a crack in that hardened heart. The dark heart that was able to ensnare the heart that loves and cares in the name of Jesus.
Scripture For Today:
Proverbs 29:25-26
25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted. (NASB)
Matthew 6:22-24
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. (NASB)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We thank you for discernment. Your still quiet spirit telling us to pause when confronted with drama. We thank you for hearts that long to love and help others. A ministry of compassion. We pray for understanding of the workings of our enemy. How necessary and important Your armor is in protecting us in all things. Please forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.