Someone has said the two unavoidable things about life are death and taxes. I suggest adding a third unavoidable verity: temptation.

Gilda Radner’s character from Saturday Night Live, “Roseanne Roseannadanna,” said it best, “It’s always somethin’.”

If it isn’t being tempted to eat excessively, it’s too much drinking, TV watching, seedy movies, obsessive thoughts, a wandering eye, etc.

Temptation is on duty everywhere all the time, and we’re all under its watchful eye. So how does temptation work and why is it so maddeningly successful at tripping us up?

The Devil never approaches mankind as a fire-breathing Dragon — too obvious. Deception is the key and Satan has had thousands of years to perfect his schemes.

Any fisherman knows that it’s not enough to drag a bare hook through the water to catch fish. That sharp hook needs to be buried inside a nice shiny, slimy, smelly, tasty coating of bait that is then tantalizingly “jiggered” in front of the fish until it bites — it’s called temptation and dumb fish, as well as intelligent humans, fall for the same technique all the time.

Temptation is described in James 1:14-15:

“… each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.”

And in 1 John 2:15-16:

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world … For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world.”

The term “world” referred to in the Bible is not a physical planet. It is a spiritual system, a culture, a way of life that is dead set against the authority of God.

This world system has a long history and the results have been catastrophic, as written in Genesis 6:5-6: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So, the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

It is from this “world,” empowered by the Devil and his minions, that temptation emanates, drawing men into its myriad traps.

Here is the enemy’s strategy as most of us experience it:

LOOKED: I looked at the bait.

Making the bait shiny and bright attracts the eye first, “the lust of the eyes.”

Las Vegas is so bright it can be easily spotted from space. Its builders know all about lighting, limitless “bling,” and the power of visual stimulation.

It starts with the senses, the eyes being the most immediately “seducible.” It is this mesmerizing visuality that has made internet pornography so irresistible for so many.

HOOKED: I got hooked by the barbs.

Once I’ve seen what I want, I follow it, and because it is so enticing, I bite down hard on it. Trouble is, there is a sharp barb inside (ask any drug or alcohol addict) and then “game over,” the hook is set.

COOKED: I got cooked in the consequences.

Finally come the dread consequences. Just like a fish, I am helpless and find myself the Devil’s dinner. Consequences can take the form of addiction, loss of well being, losing touch with God, divorce, etc. Ouch!

You can run, but you can’t hide — Your enemy prowls, as written in 1 Peter 5:7:

“Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Temptation is relentless and only gives up when it encounters steely resolve. Vladimir Lenin’s dictum says, “You probe with bayonets; If you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw.”

The Devil and his demons Identify and exploit the weakness(s) of their targets (that’s you). He is looking for “that thing” that constitutes your besetting sin(s). That way he knows how to bait his hook.

This is how a fly fisherman selects just the right lure. Remember, the Devil knows you better than you know yourself when it comes to tripping you up.

That is why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12-1:

“Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

How About You?

The apostle Peter instructed in 1 Peter 5:7-9, “So resist him (Satan), firm in your faith.” Is your life a target-rich environment for the Enemy? What are you going to do about it?