Trapped Trappers!

Have you ever tried to set a mouse trap only to end up triggering it and snapping yourself? Setting a trap can be dangerous because it can easily end up BACKFIRING. And sometimes that is exactly what should happen.

As I was reading through Luke 20 this morning I was struck by the thought of how some trappers ended up being trapped. There were those who continued to make attempts at trapping Jesus with their questions only to end up finding themselves trapped by His. Such was the case when Jesus’ authority was questioned.

We read…
“(3) He answered them, ‘I also will ask you a question. Now tell me,
(4) Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?’ (5) And they discussed it with one another, saying, ‘IF WE SAY, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ (6) But IF WE SAY, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ (7) SO THEY ANSWERED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW where it came from. (8) And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” ( Luke 20:3-8 ESV)

As these opened their mouths someone should have just handed them the shovel so they could have gone ahead and dug the hole for themselves. Jesus did not have a problem with sincere questions even if they revealed a focus that needed changing. (i.e. John 1:46) But the thing which should be learned regarding deceit and dishonesty is that it most often comes back to bite those who use it. Faced with Jesus’ question they knew they were in trouble either way they answered. The trappers became the trapped.

Regarding the wicked, David said a long time ago…
“(15) He makes a pit, digging it out, and FALLS INTO THE HOLE THAT HE HAS MADE. (16) His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.” ( Psalm 7:15-16 ESV)

And Solomon stated as well…
“WHOEVER DIGS A PIT WILL FALL INTO IT, and A STONE WILL COME BACK ON HIM WHO STARTS IT ROLLING.” ( Proverbs 26:27 ESV)

It seems that these were warnings those who questioned Jesus should have remembered. However, we also need to be careful that we don’t end up digging holes for ourselves to fall into. Our motives are to be closely guarded. Why do we ask the questions we ask? Do we truly want an answer?

Solomon also stated…
“Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, BUT THE BLAMELESS WILL HAVE A GOODLY INHERITANCE.” ( Proverbs 28:10
ESV)

When we are honest we don’t have to worry about things BACKFIRING. When we are genuine we don’t have to worry that we might have dug a hole we ourselves could fall into. Some people end up inheriting the problems they tried to create for others. God has a better inheritance for those who follow in His Way.

Have a great day KEEPING THE SHOVEL FOR THE GARDEN!
Carl

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