If You Don't Bite the Worm You'll never Taste the Hook
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
Why don't bare hooks catch live fish? What kind of fish would bite a bare hook? Why don't bare sins catch live
men? What kind of a man would bite a bare sin? Stick on a live, wiggling, large, juicy, worm and hide that hook
completely and that fish may really be tempted to bite. Stick on a live, moving attractive, hidden, temptation
and hide the real consequences, and that man may really be tempted to sin.
What the Bible teaches
You know what "Temptations" really are? Most often, they are cunning hunters. They are active and
not passive. They come after you rather then you going after them. Hear James closely in 1:14-15:
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
Look at the first step- you've got to see (or think) the temptation before you can start desiring it. So, you
must be "drawn away" by either seeing, smelling, feeling, or thinking something. At that moment, depending
upon your "lust factor," you are vulnerable to being "enticed."
It's import to realize that most temptations occur when you are least expecting it. Don't just think of those "big
sins" but the more "everyday sins" (if one can say that about sin...) which are an enduring hindrance
to your personal holiness. Those everyday sins all have their starting point with your temptations. But, in most
cases, when you are not even thinking about sin or even your "desires," temptations come lurking after
you. In order for a temptation to pull you into sin, it must first get your attention. That is what the Bible means
by "when he is drawn away"-- temptations must first distract you from what is at hand to what is in their
"hand." But, until you become very attuned to the process of temptation, you probably aren't even aware
of when you are being "drawn away."
When you are "drawn away," then the temptation moves to the crucial step in the whole process of leading
you from "holiness" or even "innocence" at that moment to the act of sin or "unholiness."
Once your attention is grabbed, the crucial issue is whether or not the temptation can keep your attention long
enough for your "lusts" or "desires" to be aroused.
The word "entice" actually means "to bait" or "to snare." The temptation grabs your
attention and focuses it upon something that may look good just to you, at that time, and in this place. Then that
temptation starts wiggling that incredible bait right in front of your eyes! The longer you look at that bait,
or think about that tempting thought, the more power it seems to have over you and seemingly tempts you all the
more.
It's Up To You
But, where is that lure trying to lure you? The moment your emotions are raised, you are in danger. The moment
you tell yourself it's Ok to move a little closer, or to take a second look, or linger a moment more, or fantasize
just one more split second- is the moment your holiness is in danger of being enticed into the "unholy"
category.
It's obvious, then, that temptations cannot be sin. Rather, they are the "advertisement" to entice you
to purchase! Until you purchase you have not sinned. Too many men are so confused about this matter. Temptation
is not sin. How could temptation be a sin when the Bible openly declares that Jesus was tempted?
"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
So, temptation cannot be evil or wicked or sinful. Temptation is just a part of living. As far as I can determine,
there is only one sure-fire method of avoiding temptation-- but it's six feet under the ground!
Now, think a moment about the areas of your life that you feel would fit into the "unholy" category.
Guess what lies right before each one of those types of sin? Right--temptations to sin. Know what one of the most
important things is that you must learn in your pilgrimage to holiness? To immediately identify when you have been
"drawn away" and when you are in the process of being "enticed." Why? Because it is at that
very moment that you must turn away. The sooner you stop considering the temptation, the safer you are. Not only
that, but temptations are a remarkable thing--the longer that you consider a temptation, the stronger it becomes.
Likewise, the easiest time to remain holy is in the first instant of being "drawn away" or "enticed."
Therefore, don't knowingly walk toward that "bait" with your eyes closed and your desires in warp speed.
When you see a tempting situation, put your mind in high gear. Upgrade your will. Send a prayer toward Heaven.
Turn off the turn-on. Don;t let the "Sin Hunter" mount you on his proverbial trophy wall!
Morning Bible reading:
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Morning Prayer
Dear Faithful Father,
Good morning Lord! Your presence has guarded me all the night. Your Glory radiates in the heavens and Your Love
is shed abroad in my heart. How I praise You for working in my heart and for strengthening me as I seek for personal
holiness.
I thank You for Your unending Faithfulness to me. It amazes me that you are so active in every part of my life
including my temptations! Thank You for putting Divine Limits on my temptations so that none are too strong for
me. Thank You for also making "the" way of escape for each temptation so I don;t have to be trapped by
temptations. Thank you for making sure that I can "bear" every temptation without sinning. My heart sings
to you - - How wonderful are all your ways to me.
Afternoon Bible reading
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither
tempteth he any man" 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not
err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word
of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Afternoon Prayer
My Pure and Holy God,
You are never tempted! You will never tempt anyone - including me. Instead of tempting me to evil and harm,
You give me every good and perfect gift.
Lord, I confess that at times I have felt that my worse temptations were all Your fault. I have secretly blamed
You. how sobering to realize that my temptations ultimately were from the lusts of my own heart. If I didn't lust,
then I wouldn't be enticed to sin in that area. Lord, I fully accept my responsibility to no longer seek to blame
anyone or anything else.
Oh Holy Father, cleanse my lustful heart! Purify my thoughts and actions. I confess my sins and humble myself
before Your Glorious holiness.
Evening Bible Reading
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus my High Priest,
You are my personal high Priest, Oh Jesus the Son of Glory! You left heaven to die for me and now you actively
intercede in heaven for me!
You understand all of my temptations because you were tempted in all points like me, yet You did not sin. Forgive
me for thinking You did not or could not understand my trials with temptations to sin! Therefore, I pledge I will
come quickly and boldly the next time I face temptations.
Lord, why do I rely on my own strength in temptations? Why do I not flee to your face because you "aid
those who are tempted." Oh Lord, I have sinned because of my weakness, but in my next temptation, I will seek
Your aid.
Thank You for Your death for me and now your life in me! Amen.
