Far away in the tropics are some remarkable plants growing. They are called Nepenthes. The blossoms are veritable death-traps to flies and small insects, from which they largely derive their nourishment. The method these flowers use in catching the insects is one of the wonders of nature, and affords a striking example of how Satan allures and traps unwary Christians.
At the end of a long stem on the parent plant is a jug-shaped flower. It has a narrow neck which widens toward the base. In the neck are spike-like growths, all pointing downwards. These, along with the outer rim, are coated with honey.
Insects are attracted by the honey, and in their eagerness to get at it, they gradually enter the neck of the flower. Going lower and lower into the blossom, all at once they find the honey ceases, and they themselves are prisoners. Escape is well-nigh impossible, as the inside of the flower is slippery and affords no foothold, while the barbs point downwards and form an effectual guard to the entrance. Thus the trapped insects are held fast and digested by the cannibal plant.
And so it is that Satan ensnares young believers. Enticing them with seductive beauty and "sweets" that appeal to the natural taste, but which are not according to God, he gradually encloses them in his grasp, deeper and deeper, but each step leading them farther down from the heart that loves them.
The ways of Satan are always seductive. He knows our natural hearts, and will offer all kinds of things that are sweet as honey to our taste, but designed to lead us on a wrong path. The spikes are unnoticed as we go his way, but they will oppose themselves painfully on the way back, should we seek to be restored in self-judgment to the Lord.
It is worth remarking that only hungry insects are caught in these death-traps. We may rest assured that, as long as our hearts are filled with Christ and His love, Satan has no power over us. No matter how seductive may be his "Nepenthes," the Christ-filled heart is enabled, through grace, to reject his lure, happily satisfied by the conscious possession of that which is sweeter than honey, even the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.
"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.