~My bass~

The one that had to be thrown back….This thought reached out and snagged my line, just as the biggest bass I’ve ever caught had that day a couple years back on the fishing trip my hubby and I had enjoyed.

But who in the world might that be? At the moment, I didn’t have a clue or even think there could be such a person as this who even existed.

But God showed me in His Word, in fact, there had been. Judas Iscariot. He was the one who had to be thrown back. It could have turned out differently, but Judas made the terrible choice to follow after the greatest evil on the planet.

When challenged with the question recently what I thought was the greatest evil in this world, I thought surely it had to be the spirit of lust. That spirit has destroyed and killed innocent lives and busted up marriages and homes. That spirit covers everything from the lust of the eyes to the lust of the things of this world.

There have been many unsuspecting people who have been caught up in the net of deception of the spirit of lust. Most people think that lust is only pertaining to sexual desires, but it goes much deeper and beyond that. The flip-side of that coin is a hunger that feeds the soul to get more, buy more, own more, the “pride” of life. Judas had that kind of lust.

Jesus knew that we were susceptible to evil spirits, because we are, after all, made of flesh. So he made provision for that!

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We can all agree here on this blessed Good Friday that we are thankful for that provision! It’s what Easter is all about. He became The Lamb that would take away the sin of the world, our sin.

In studying further, I discovered that there is actually a root problem for even the spirit of lust for the things of the world. It goes back to another scripture.

“For the love of money IS the root of ALL evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We find in reading the story of Judas, that this was actually his root problem. He had in fact a “lust” for money, but the root was the “love” for it. The Bible doesn’t say that money in itself is the root of all evil, just the excessive love for it.

We all know the story. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver. He complained about Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with an expensive bottle of oil that could have been sold and given to the poor. But he was actually more concerned that it had taken money from his own pockets.

He had been embezzling the money. So, that made him a thief. He was also a betrayer, complainer, selfish, and money hungry.

He was the fish that had to be thrown back. I’m sure this fact hurt Jesus terribly, more-so than my having to throw my bass back that day.

So, today, I challenge you (myself included)–Don’t be the one that has to be thrown back. Love God with all your heart! Pursue after Him for dear life! If you do happen to stumble and fall for the bait the enemy lured you in with, be quick to repent. Get victory over that spirit the enemy has sent to destroy your life! Don’t be caught on the end of the fishing line of his deception. Because he just might serve you up on his platter! We all know what end that will be.

Happy Easter ✝️ everyone!

God Bless!

Renee