Springing the traps...

Preaching this morning on ‘Running the race God has planned for you’, I touched on the subjects of things that can spoil your race and traps that can snare you. It’s something that has been on my mind all week as I’ve been preparing to preach – those snares that David speaks of in the Psalms. It conjures up a very vivid picture of how the unsuspecting can quickly find themselves trapped, caught by the foot, and unable to move or shake free. There really are those kinds of traps around that Christians can find themselves caught in – Satan sees to it; it’s what he does.

In our culture some of those traps are pretty obvious, but that doesn’t make them any less avoidable it would seem. Take for instance the internet. Everyone knows it’s there and the danger it poses, yet it ensnares heaven knows how many with its pornographic images. Of course we don’t like to call it that, but that’s what it is.
So it is equally important that we get real, recognise the problem and help people walk free of this pernicious trap. I mentioned this morning that David the Psalmist got stuck in a great big bear trap called Bathsheba, so if this godly guy got snared, don’t let too many of us say we’re immune to her lure.

Let me then give some practical help to see some traps sprung:

Firstly, break the power of the secret; tell someone. Satan loves to keep us trapped in secrecy & shame, and away from the help, prayer & accountability of Christian friends.

Secondly, truth sets us free, so be aware what God says about the purity of sexual intimacy as he intends it, what he says about impurity, and how he wants you to walk in freedom. To help you in this, you might want to take a look at http://theresurgence.com/porn_again_christian to see some material that Mark Driscoll has written in his typically forthright and helpful way!

Thirdly, take some bold action. Getting rid of ready access to the internet isn’t such a big deal in the light of eternity & a life to be lived powerfully for God. Another idea is to sign up for some security software that keeps someone else alert to what you’re viewing. Take a look at http://x3watch.com. And don’t forget to put some good routines into your life that will fill your heart & mind with some inspiring, God-glorifying stuff on a daily basis! Philippians 4:8

The Gospel Good News is all about Jesus setting people free! Above all else he wants you and I to walk free – and when we do, he get’ all the glory!

Goff