Decoys—good plastic “fake ducks” (or geese or other animals) made to lure unsuspecting game in close so that the hunter can shoot them hopefully for food! These decoys don’t fool we humans, at least they don’t fool most of us but they are very effective to the animals the hunter is hunting. I used to hunt duck as often as I could. Steve (my hunting partner) and I would set our decoy spread, making sure to make it look as real as possible. Then we would sit very still, being as quiet as possible and wait for the first sight of ducks. Then we would begin to call to them, trying to get them to come to our spread. It was like we had a big neon sign out which read, “All ducks are welcome! Come on in, join your friends—it’s safe here.
Truth is our decoy spread was far from a safe place and many ducks fell victim to our little scheme! Order turned to chaos in the blink of the eye and most of the time we were able to get our limit in a very short period of time. Our spiritual lives are no different at all. Satan sets his spread of decoys, using whatever he knows will entice us to fall victim to him. Do you know what decoys you should avoid? I can assure you that Satan knows what will entice you. And, by the way, what entices you may not entice me at all! But Satan knows where your weakness is and he will use it against you every opportunity he has. For me, I would say that golf most certainly is a weakness to me, along with some other things. I have played golf on a Saturday in sleet and then decided not to go to church the next day because it was too cold! (That was before I became a minister!) In 1 Corinthians 10:13(NRSV) we read these comforting words: “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” So, keep watch on whatever it is that tempts you. Keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus and you will be able to stay away from Satan’s decoys – God guarantees it! Amen. 10/18/2020 04:57:45 am
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This blog consists of reflections written by the minister each week for the Sunday bulletin. We hope that you enjoy the musings! Archives
January 2020
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