“My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.” (Psalms 25:15)

“The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn’t exist” (The Usual Suspects). We have an invisible enemy in this constant battle, an enemy that is not flesh and blood, an enemy not everyone even believes in. Far too often, we allow our eyes to be clouded by the enemy and we can choose to focus on the traps he sets for us; we can fix our gaze upon them, and if we are not careful we can be drawn into them. Throughout Scripture there are many examples of people who did not always keep their eyes on the Lord, but instead on the traps of the enemies.

“I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.” (Ecclesiastes 7:26)

“While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. (…) So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.” (Proverbs 7:21-27)

The servant of Elisha, when the Aramean army surrounded them at the city of Dothan, could only see the traps of the enemies when he cried out, “Oh, sir, what will we do now?”

“‘Don’t be afraid!’ Elisha told him. ‘For there are more on our side than on theirs!’ Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!’ The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” (2 Kings 6:16-17)

Elisha had his eyes on the Lord and he could see how the Lord was protecting them. We would do very well to remember that there are more on our side than on theirs. What is the temptation in your life that you need to turn your eyes from? What trap has the enemy set for you? Turn your eyes from these worthless things.

“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” (Psalms 119:37)

“The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.” (Psalms 119:110)

 “Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3)

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We must all turn from our sins, those sinful desires, and traps the enemy sets for us. Temptations will still come in this constant battle, the enemy will continue to set traps, but if we keep our eyes on the Lord and remember that there are more on our side than on theirs, we will see the way out that the Lord promises to always provide.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed