Snares

A trap in which a bird is entangled and caught is called a “snare.” This word is given a spiritual application in the Bible. A number of “snares” or traps are mentioned in the New Testament. Studying the relevant passages will show that Satan has his destructive traps, also the temporal allure of the world can be a trap and, in certain circumstances, God has traps of righteous judgment which ensnare the wicked.

1. Reputation. Paul speaks concerning those who are fit to serve as leaders in the church: “He must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (I Tim. 3:7). What is this snare, or trap? Perhaps it is the danger that the one looked down upon by the unsaved will waste his energies in attempts at self-preservation and the self-justification of his character or conduct. In the end, his ministry becomes weak and ineffective because his message is evaluated in the light of his bad reputation.
2. Worldly Values. The craving for wealth and material things is called a snare (I Tim. 6:9). Materialism and temporal values can be a trap, keeping the individual from preparing for eternity and laying up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21, 33). All that the world tries to achieve and build will be gone one day (II Pet. 3:10; I Jn. 2:17). The little couplet expresses a profound truth: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; / Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
3. Wickedness. Sin itself is a snare. By dangling worldly pleasures before the individual and blinding him to the truth (II Cor. 4:3-4), Satan lures him into a trap. Sinners are said to be in the devil’s snare (II Tim. 2:24-26). He is “the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). They have “been taken captive by him to do his will” (II Tim. 2:26) and accomplish his evil purposes of opposing and hindering the work of God, and of keeping sinners from hearing and believing the gospel.
4. Judicial Blindness. Judicial blindness from God is called a snare (Rom. 11:8-10). The Lord is gracious and longsuffering. He is withholding judgment because He desires all to repent and turn to Christ (II Pet. 3:9). But the day of grace will not last forever. When light is given and repeatedly rejected, there comes a time when God says, “If you refuse to see, I will not allow you to see any more. The prophet Isaiah was told this would happen (Isa. 6:9-12). Israel had been corrupted by unbelief and rampant idolatry. The prophets had warned them to repent again and again. But when they did not, judgment finally came in the form of the Babylonian Captivity.
5. Divine Judgment. The prophesied seven-year Tribulation yet to come is called a snare (Lk. 21:34-35), because once the rapture of the church has taken place (I Thess. 4:16-18) those who are left behind (the unsaved) will be trapped in it (I Thess. 5:2-3). Though there will apparently be those who believe and are saved during the Tribulation (Rev. 7:13-14), it would seem these are ones who did not decisively reject Christ before the rapture (II Thess. 2:8-12). And declaring allegiance to Christ will cost them their lives (Rev. 13:15-17).