CAUGHT IN THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL

2Tim 2:24-26

Morning Meditation 10/6/2012

Paul is instructing Timothy in how to minister to those who are caught in Satan’s snare. He said: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

The word “devil” (diabolos) according to Strong means “a calumniator, false accuser, and slanderer.” The word “calumniator” means “To make maliciously or knowingly false statements about.” The word devil is used here synonymously with Satan. The reason for the use of the word “devil” here rather than Satan is probably in the definition of the word. This definition tells the particular work he does in those of whom Paul speaks to Timothy.

Of whom is Paul speaking? Who has been caught in the snare of the devil? Is it the unsaved? Or, is it the saved to whom Timothy has been called to minister? I believe the context is the only thing that will answer these questions. Paul speaks of the saved in verse 19 and says “The Lord knoweth them that are his” and tells them to depart from iniquity. He speaks about the different kinds of vessels that are found in a “great house” in verse 21 and suggests the way to be a vessel of honor is to purge oneself. The way the believer purges himself is found in First John 1:9. Verses 22 and 23 would not be instructions to unsaved people. Then Paul instructs Timothy in how to deal with those who have been snared by the devil. In the light of this context, I believe this is speaking of saved people who have been trapped by the devil. Is there a way back for them? Yes, I believe there is but it is conditional. Let’s take a look at these verses.

1. They are captives. The word “captive” (zogreo) “to take alive, to take, catch, capture.” This speaks of one who is a prisoner of war. He is not free. He is in bondage to the devil in this case.

2. They are under the “will” of the devil. The word “will” (thelema) which means “what one wishes or has determined shall be done.” Satan is the god of this world. He is playing god. He exercises a limited sovereignty. He can have a will concerning the believer’s life. And in the case before us, he has exercised his will and has succeeded is taking captive one of God’s children.

3. The devil did it by setting a trap. The word “snare” (pagis) means “a trap or a snare.” This word is used “of snares in which birds are entangled and caught.” Here is this little free bird. He is out feeding one day. He doesn’t see the trap. All he is interested in is feeding for the day. And suddenly he steps into the snare that this trapper of birds has set for him. Before he realizes what has happened, his freedom is gone. He will be put in a cage and will be captive possibly for the rest of his life. His freedom is just a memory.

4. The words “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil” give hope. The words “they may recover themselves” (ananepho) is the translation of one word. It is an aorist active subjunctive verb. Strong defines this word as “a return to soberness.” The Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament has an interesting comment on this word: “The metaphor implies some previous duping by evil influences as in the case of intoxication; the devil’s method is to ‘numb the conscience, confuse the senses and paralyze the will’” Berry’s Interlinear translates it “they may wake up.” The aorist tense suggests a sudden awakening, i.e., jolted out of sleep. All of a sudden he is awakened, looks around, and discovers he is not where he should be. The subjunctive mood means it is possible for this one who has been trapped by the devil and is in captivity to him to escape to freedom. The words “that they may recover themselves” mean that they have a part in their own return.

5. The words “if God peradventure will give them repentance” are a key to the return. The word “peradventure” (mepote) means “perhaps.” This word stopped me in my tracks one day. I had been telling the backslider he could come back anytime he wanted to. That is not what this verse says. I discovered that God must give repentance. The word “give” is an aorist active subjunctive verb. The aorist tense means at some point of time. The subjunctive mood means it is possible. It is God’s choice. God loves. God’s grace provides forgiveness at the expense of the cross. But God will not be treated disrespectfully. He has provided free salvation for us and his Word to direct us and his Holy Spirit to secure us. The man who has been trapped by the devil is not guiltless. It is his fault. God holds him responsible. The word “repentance” means that he believed the devil instead of God. In his recovery God must grant repentance and he must see where the devil trapped him. It is humiliating to admit you have been deceived when the deception is your fault. This old stuff, “I couldn’t help myself” won’t fly here. If you want to come back, you will either repent and admit it was your fault, or you will spend the rest of your life in the cage. If you want freedom, get ready to quit blaming someone else.

6. The words “oppose themselves” (antidiatithemai) mean “to place one's self in opposition.” It is Michael Jordan getting the ball and running the entire court and making a goal for the opposing team. You say, “that would mean he had lost his mind. That would never happen.” It makes more sense than for a Christian by ignoring the Lordship of Christ, to be caught in the devil’s snare. When we listen to the devil, we oppose ourselves. I love my grand kids. When they were small, I had a problem. I would be sitting watching them and see them run into a half opened door and bust their head. They would scream out in pain. Grandmother would run to them with tears in her eyes and pet them back to a mild sob. I’m sitting there mad as I can be wanting to kick them around like a foot ball because they had not watched what they were doing. That always confused my wife. I was hurting and frustrated and didn’t like the feeling. And I knew that I would not be feeling this way and the grandchild that I loved wouldn’t be screaming his head off, if he had just watched where he was going. You say, “Well, didn’t you ever do foolish things like this when you were little?” Yeah, but we are not talking about me wise guy.

7. The words “In meekness instructing” is the part the pastor and others play in the backslider’s return. The word “meekness” means “gentleness.” I must admit I do not want to be gentle with the backslider. I want to slap him around a little because he is very dumb and inexcusable to be where he is. The word “instructing” (paideuo) means “to teach children, to correct children.” It can also mean “to chastise or castigate with words, to correct.” But the words “with meekness” keep me from the castigation! I had kidney stone surgery in 1960. It was back when they cut you in half when they did that surgery. I had one of those rough nurses come into my room on my sorest day, grabbed me and flipped me like a flap jack and said, “this will help.” My gun was at home! She made me so mad I never wanted to see her again. Do you see why the one who helps must do it in meekness? The old sin nature has a self defense mechanism. If you are going to help the one spoken of in this verse, you must get past the self defense mechanism.

Do you want to help someone caught in the snare of the devil? Paul explains how to do it. Are you one who is caught in the snare of the devil? I will pray that God will grant repentance. You will never be free again unless he does; and you can’t take him for granted.

May the Lord give us understanding of his ways.

In Christ

Earl White