Keys to the Storehouse – Cute But Deadly!

I saw a chipmunk in our back yard. How cute—I thought! We put a birdfeeder out and many birds started appearing in our yard for meals. It was entertaining to see this cute little chipmunk out under the feeder, along with little birds, gathering the seeds that had fallen. The birds adjusted to the chipmunk being there without fear.

Then one afternoon I witnessed that little chipmunk carrying off a little bird to his den. What a shock! About an hour later I watched him mingle among the birds before he again attacked another little bird and carried it off! Again I was shocked! I didn’t know chipmunks ate birds! Sadly, the chipmunk mingled with the birds that felt safe around him not knowing he was their enemy. Needless to say, we trapped the chipmunk and relocated him.

Many things, like the cute little chipmunk, seem so harmless that we find ourselves mixing with them until one day we realize we are hooked! That is how the devil works—he eases himself in pretending to be friendly, then watch out!

“He [Satan] bade his angels go and lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing, and who were keeping all God’s commandments. …

“If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than the success of Christ’s kingdom, or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it. We must keep all the means in our ranks we can. The more means they have, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects. … Cause all the distraction you can. Destroy love for each other. … Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character. As long as these traits rule, salvation and grace stand back. Crowd all you can around them to attract them, and they will be surely ours. Not only are we sure of them, but their hateful influence will not be exercised toward others to lead them to heaven.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 179, 180.

Does this sound familiar? Anything that causes you to give your precious hours of probation over to them may be “cute” but “deadly” and be the cause of losing eternal life unless some life choices are changed.

The innocent birds had no idea their lives would end so suddenly. Be careful to avoid the clutches of the enemy that seem so harmless.

 

Heavenly Father:  Help me to be faithful that I may be part of the earth made new where there will be no death in Your creation at all. Remove this world from my heart that I may be ready for Your kingdom. Grant me spiritual discernment that I may see where Satan has redirected my feet and/or my thoughts.  Help me to keep my thoughts on heavenly and not the temporary pleasures of this earth. Save me from the cute but deadly. Amen.