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The Snare of the Devil

Text: 2 Timothy 2:20-26
9 October 2005

(I) DEFINING “THE SNARE” OF THE DEVIL

1. The word “snare” borrowed from the language of hunting

2. An apt word to describe the devil as a hunter of souls

3. He will set up snares to trap the unsuspecting

4. The successful hunter will have the following:-

a) Intelligence

b) Cunning

c) Skill

d) Patience

e) Toughness

(II) COMPLETING THE IDEA USED IN THE IMAGERY

1. If there is a hunter and his snare, there must also be the prey

2. The prey cannot hope to outsmart the hunter

3. He is most vulnerable when his instincts are “down”

4. He is therefore constantly at risk!

(III) THE PREDICAMENT OF THE PREY

1. Those “in opposition” ( 2 Timothy 2:25 )

2. They are in need “of repentance” ( 2 Timothy 2:25 )

3. They do not know “the truth” ( 2 Timothy 2:25 )

4. They have “lost” their senses ( 2 Timothy 2:26 )

5. They have been ensnared ( 2 Timothy 2:26 )

6. They do the will of the devil ( 2 Timothy 2:26 )

(III) RELEASING PEOPLE FROM THE SNARES OF THE DEVIL

1. The vital ministry of “the servant of the Lord” ( 2 Timothy 2:24 )

2. The ministry of “correction” (2 Timothy 2:25 )

3. The mercy of the Lord to be found for the sinful ( 2 Timothy 2:25 )

a) Through intercession

b) Through repentance

4. It is hard work

a) There is no guarantee of success

b) There is even danger to the servant of the Lord

i) He can end up striving ( 2 Timothy 2:23 )

ii) He can end up quarrelling ( 2 Timothy 2:23 )

The Fighter

I fight a battle every day
Against discouragement and fear;
Some foe stands always in my way,
The path ahead is never clear!
I must forever be on guard
Against the doubts that skulk along;
I get ahead by fighting hard,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong.
I have to fight my doubts away
And be on guard against my fears;
The feeble croaking of Dismay
Has been familiar through the years;
My dearest plans keep going wrong,
Events combine to thwart my will;
But fighting keeps my spirit strong,
And I am undefeated still!
– S.E. Kiser (Adapted) –