When Satan goes fishing

By Mark Thomas, Contributing columnist
Published: September 26, 2008

Fishing may be the typical American pastime but in the spiritual world it has deadly consequences.

As we prepare our lures and bait our hooks to entice the perfect fish, Satan prepares his bait to entice our hearts to pull us away from God.

James 1:14-15 warns that we are enticed by the ruling desires of our heart that, if given free reign, gives birth to bondage and eventual death.

Satan’s desire is to set before us an enticement that arouses our innermost desires to ensnare us into some type of spiritual bondage.

Although the first impulse to experiment with a ruling desire, whether it is with drugs, sex or other sins, holds out the promise of liberating fulfillment, eventually the grim reality of being hooked brings panic, despair, hopelessness and eventual acceptance.

However innocent our initial desires may have been, a deceitful heart is always available to be lured away, hooked and dragged off into spiritual bondage.

Bondage takes on various forms of addictions and destructive behavior people experience; are you in bondage to one of them? Need help, hope or a new start on life? Question or comments are welcome at .

Mark Thomas is a counselor at Providence Bible Church.