Avoiding Pharisaic Traps

In order to be smarter than the enemy we must have inside information. We have to understand how the enemy works, through whom he works, why he does certain things, and where and when he does them. We have to know how to spot Satan’s hidden traps. Inside information of this nature can only come through the all-knowing counsel of the Holy Spirit.

 

When Jesus said to Peter: “get behind Me Satan for you are an offense to Me!” He actually said: “get behind Me Satan for you are laying a trap for me!” (Mark 8:33) The word for offence in the original Greek language is: skandalon (skan'-dal-on) which means: “trap-stick,” a bent sapling or snare. It is described as an occasion to fall, stumble or be ensnared. If Satan tried to trap Jesus, you can be sure that He will try to trap you. Here are a few examples of religious traps.

 

Flattery

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Matt 22:15-18

 

People under the influence of religious spirits are liars. In public they will speak flattering words and act real nice, but in private, they will speak evil of you. They are double-tongued backbiters. The Bible says: “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” (Prov 29:5) In this hour it is essential to be able to discern when someone is attempting to trap you with flattery. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth (John 16:13). If we learn to be sensitive to His leading, He will enable us to perceive any wicked assignment that may be stirring against us. When someone with impure motives comes up and says: “...we know that you are a man of God” or: “you’re the greatest preacher I’ve ever heard!” the Holy Spirit will speak to your spirit and say: “Don’t listen, it’s a trap!”

 

There are many different reasons that people will flatter you. Sometimes they are looking for a handout. Sometimes they want to befriend you so they can obtain a position in your church or ministry. Sometimes they are hoping that you will share some private information with them so they can feel special. Sometimes they are looking for something to destroy you with. No matter what the motive—all flattery is evil. God never manipulates to get something. He is honest and up-front in everything He does.

 

According to the scriptures, the best way to avoid these kinds of traps is to avoid flattering people. Solomon writes: “do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” (Prov 20:19). If you find yourself cornered by a flatterer—do what Jesus did—expose them. Say: “The Holy Spirit shows me that your motives are impure. You need to repent and ask God to forgive you.” Hopefully they will sober up and realize the wickedness of their heart and repent. If you try to be nice with these kinds of people, you will play right into their hands. You have to shoot straight from the hip or the devil will use them to destroy you.

 

Sometimes flattery is sent by the devil to puff you up. He knows that: “Pride goes before a fall” (Prov 16:18). If you begin to think more highly of yourself than you ought, certain destruction is headed your way. Satan will send people to flatter you and tell you how anointed or gifted you are. Don’t fall for it. Oral Roberts’ mother used to say to him: “Oral, always stay small in your own eyes.” This is good advice for anyone who desires to be used by God. To avoid the trap of flattery, you must learn to think soberly. You must only think according to your measure of your faith. Paul writes: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Rom 12:3)

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Insincere Questions/Interest

Another type of trap comes in the form of a question. The Pharisees were famous for this. They would ask Jesus questions like: “Who are you?” “What do you say about yourself?” “Are you a prophet?” “By what authority do you do these things?” They asked Him questions publicly in hopes that Jesus would say something wrong and embarrass Himself before the people. The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to skillfully turn the tables on these crafty manipulators. Jesus amazed His opponents with His answers and often left them standing there with their mouths wide open. It came to the point where no one dared to question Him anymore.

 

When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, He told them: “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you...” (Matt 10:18-20)

 

The same Spirit who spoke through Jesus wants to speak through you. You don’t have to premeditate what you will say, the Holy Spirit will give you the right answer in that very hour. Jesus made it very clear: It is not you who speaks, it is the Holy Spirit within you. If you learn how to yield your mouth to the Spirit of God, He will give you wisdom that will leave all of your enemies dumb-struck! Like Jesus, you can come to the place where your opposers don’t dare to question you anymore. 

 

Inclusion

“Pharisees” will invite you to eat with them at their table hoping to seduce you into their way of life. They will invite you into their ranks and include you in their “exclusive gatherings.” This is a baited trap designed to get you to forsake your high call for a tiny morsel of social acceptance. When you join their elite little society, they will show you little or no respect anyway. They will strut around with their nose in the air trying to make you feel like you need their acceptance and approval in order to be successful. This happened to Jesus. In Luke chapter seven we read the account.

 

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Luke 7:36-50

 

In Jesus’ day, it was customary to wash the feet of a highly honored guest. The Pharisees should have held Jesus in High esteem. They should have treated Him like royalty. Instead, they treated Him like a common house guest. Jesus didn’t let their high-minded attitudes intimidate Him. He continued operating in the height of His calling and didn’t compromise. Don’t fall in the trap of trying to perform for the approval of men. One day they approve of you and the next day they don’t. Be who you are called to be and don’t change for anybody. What you compromise to keep, you will ultimately lose in the end.

 

 

Exclusion

Another common Pharisaic trap is exclusion. When members of the religious “elite” can’t get you to join them, they will then exclude you from their fellowships and associations. If you let the pressure of their rejection cause you to react in anger, or to retaliate in the flesh, you will fall right into Satan’s trap. The key to overcoming an attack of exclusion is to maintain high joy. Jesus said: “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23) Jesus does not just tell us to rejoice and be happy, He tells us to: “leap for joy!” Don’t let the enemy press you down! Pop right back up by jumping around the room and laughing with all your might! Leap for joy and glorify the Lord with a loud voice! Come into His presence with loud praise and jubilant singing. If your name is being reviled for righteousness sake—rejoice! Great is your reward in heaven!

 

Four Ways to Overcome Pharisaic Traps

There are at least four ways to avoid falling into the traps of wicked men. Meditate upon these four things and let them sink deep into your spirit.

 

1. Keep your eyes upon the Lord at all times.

King David gives us an important key to avoiding the traps of the wicked. In Psalm 141, he says: “...my eyes are upon You, O GOD; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.” (Ps 141:8-10) When you sense that there are traps lying in wait for you, lift the eyes of your heart to the Lord. Don’t look at the circumstances and try to figure it out with your mind. Don’t get headstrong and think that you are smarter than the enemy. Satan’s snares are skillfully set. Only God can guide your feet safely around them.

 

2. Learn To Be Led By The Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was sent to help you avoid the ambushments of the enemy. When you are facing a hidden trap, the Holy Spirit will give you an inner notification. If you will take the time to stop and acknowledge Him, He will show you alternative routes and guide you into all victory.

 

3. Yield To The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit will also help you escape from the traps of the enemy. The Bible tells us to earnestly desire the “best” gifts. (1 Cor 12:31) The “best” gifts are the ones that are most appropriate for the situation. When facing Satan’s hidden traps, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits are the most helpful. (1 Cor 12:8-11) The word of wisdom will show you future traps, the word of knowledge will show you present traps, and the gift of discerning of spirits will give you accurate insight into the realm of the spirit so you can see what is going on. Pray the following prayer with me out loud. “Lord Jesus, I thank You for the Holy Spirit and for the nine gifts that are available to me through His indwelling. I thank you that all nine of them will flow through me as the Spirit wills. Right now, I earnestly desire the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge and the gift of discerning of spirits. I ask you to give me insight into the realm of the spirit. Show me things that are present and things that are to come. Don’t let me fall blindly into the snares of the devil. Let me see through Your eyes and let me hear through Your ears. Holy Spirit of the living God, I make myself an open channel for You to flow through. Keep me from all the traps of the devil. Don’t let me be ignorant of the enemy’s devices. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.”

 

4. Maintain a consistent prayer life.

It’s important to ask for heaven’s help on a regular basis. There are always assignments working against you—even when it seems like everything is going all right. Don’t wait until you are ambushed by the enemy to ask for God’s intervention. David constantly prayed that the wicked would fall into their own traps—even during times of peace. It’s still all-right to pray in this manner today! I have prayed this prayer many times and seen tremendous results. God loves you. He will help you frustrate the plans of the enemy you if you ask Him to. He will help you throw a stick in the spoke of everything that Satan is planning. Don’t just fight your battles when they arise. Learn to fight them before they arise, and you will see far greater results.