27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? ~ Proverbs 6:27-28
In an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob and Patrick were playing with fishing hooks, even though SpongeBob said that Mr. Krabs had told him not to play with hooks or even be around them. With the influence of Patrick, the pair would ride the hooks almost to the surface before they jumped off and floated gently back down to Bikini Bottom. It seemed innocent enough to them—they were having fun. They did not realize that the hooks were attached to fishing lines, which were attached to fishing poles, which were in the hands of fishermen in a boat.
When Mr. Krabs arrived and found them playing on the fishing hooks, he scolded them and explained that if they were caught by the hooks, they would be put into a can of tuna and mixed with mayonnaise, which completely freaked the two out. He told them that the hooks look fun and harmless, but they lead to destruction.
We are sometimes just like those two simple sea creatures, SpongeBob and Patrick, not seeing the dangers of sin. Jesus, through His Word, has warned us not to play with sin, just like Mr. Krabs warned SpongeBob. Sin is deceitful and will suck you in even before you know what is going on. And when sin is finished, it brings forth death. In the words of Mr. Krabs, “Worse! You end up vacuum-packed in a can of tuna, with nothing to look forward to but the smell of mayonnaise.”
For us, if we continue in sin, we have nothing to look forward to but the dreadful expectation of judgment and an eternity of punishment and torment in a lake of fire. Christ died that whosoever believes in Him, and will live for Him, will never perish, but have eternal life. So, be careful of the hooks, and watch out for the enemy’s lure and bait. Heavenly Father, I ask you to watch over me and to protect me. Help me see the enemy’s plans, tricks, and gimmicks. But help us to live for You that we will hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servant, now enter into the joy of your LORD.” In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.