Topic:The Snare
Text: Judges 8:22-35

Today, our text centers on the battle between Satan and Gideon. Let us get started by examining verse 22: “Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.” After the conquest by Gideon, Satan got into the hearts of the children of Israel to make them urge Gideon to become their king. Satan instigated them to say that it was Gideon that saved them. In Judges 8:23, Gideon reacted. “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” One would have thought that Gideon escaped the jab of Satan here. Actually, Satan was ready to give the hook. He made Gideon make a special garment made of gold and accept to become the people’s priest. Gideon was perfectly tricked and he fell to the wiles of Satan. The garment made by Gideon soon became a god to the Israelites. May Satan never overcome us. Let us also consider Samson’s example. Satan actually gave Samson many jabs. Let us start from Judges 16:6: “And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.” This was a straightforward statement. Delilah told him her intention of knowing the source of his power. Samson also knew that it was Satan at work but he thought he was up to the challenge, that he could win the battle. This is how many people start the backsliding process. They know what they are up to is bad but believe they can overcome it. Such attitudes include thinking that sipping a glass of beer is not very bad minor thefts here and there, as long as you are not caught. These attitudes are jabs from Satan, but intention of Satan is not to get you with these little jabs. He is already looking ahead for the hook and the knockout punch.

Memory Verse: Matthew 11:12 - “And from the days of John the Baptist until not the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”