THE TEMPTATION NOT TO FISH

THE TEMPTATION NOT TO FISH

 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. —Luke 4:13

 Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” —Luke 5:10

               There is a battle for the souls of men going on.  Every person we see, every person we pass each and every day is either going to heaven or hell.  Our Lord has sent us to “fish” for people, sharing the gospel with them and discipling them that they in turn would also disciple others.  But just like the devil tempted Jesus and then would do so again at an “opportune time,” so also the devil seeks to tempt us at the “opportune time.”  The devil’s desire is that people would live in disobedience to our Lord God Almighty.  Beware of his schemes that he will use in your life! (II Corinthians 2:11).

            So… if Jesus told us that we would be fishing for people… are we?  When was the last time you “fished” for someone?  The temptation of the devil is to keep us from “fishing.”  He will encourage us to be busy with all kinds of activity, but not fishing.  These activities may not be wrong in themselves, but are they if they keep us from “fishing?”  These activities may not be sinful, but are they if they cause us to be disobedient to Jesus’ commission to fish and make disciples?  Hmmmmmm….  Something we all need to consider… Let us ask ourselves— Is the devil tempting me not to fish? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY

Dear Father, oh that I would not allow the devil to tempt me into not being a fisher of people.  Instead may I seek to be faithful daily to “fish” for people.  May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.