He [Jesus] told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

When we think about the concept of a trap, we must think about the activities of the animal that someone is trying to trap. Traps are only effective if they offer something enticing to the target. With mice, this might be cheese or peanut butter. With a big fish this might be a smaller fish. With a wild animal, like a cougar or a bear, this might be fresh meat. Some traps operate on a spring action, whereby, it is the action of the target animal that springs the trap.

Are my actions springing the traps the Devil sets for me?

I have fallen for a few traps in my life. After I get over the anger and frustration of falling for them, I realize that I need to learn to see them more clearly and respond to them by praying and seeking Godly counsel.

Do you feel weighed down today with worry or fear? Have you taken a path whereby you are numb to the world’s pain because you drink or party a lot? Don’t be fooled! This is a trap, Jesus says. It will blind you and you will not be able to see and be ready in your heart for all that God is about to do.

Jesus wants us to embrace the process of sanctification. Paul partially describes this process in Galatians: ““For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭20‬)

Jesus gave himself for us so that we could live in his power. And so we have the opportunity to “crucify” the sin in our lives in order that we might be completely and fully His — fully healed by his precious blood spent on the cross, fully cleansed, fully filled with his Spirit and fully confident to claim all of the spiritual and eternal riches he has already waiting for us! Let us live with watchful eyes and an active faith, so we can stand in the trials of life!

Lord, thank you for this warning and this promise. The warning is that I need to pay attention to your signs and be in close relationship with you. And the promise is that you will come again and rescue your remnant of believers who are faithful! May I be counted among them!