God not only rescues us from the traps the enemy sets for us, He also exposes his tactics.

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Psalm 91:3    
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence (deadly hazards).

Psalm 124:7,8    
Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Principles of the trap

1. It is stronger than you are. It is designed to restrict your movement, your freedom.
2. It operates on deceit.
3. The trapper knows the way of its victim.

Principles of the rescue

1. God is the rescuer. God wants us free. God is stronger than any trap.
1. Freedom is in the truth you know. (John 8:32)
2. Freedom is in the name of the Lord.
2. The devil is the fowler (bird catcher).
1. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
3. We are the bird.
1. God uses the bird over some other because it is an example of freedom. It has the capacity to soar in three dimensions like no other animal.
2. It is our soul (the mind, will and emotions) that the enemy traps.

How to avoid the trap

1. Stay in fellowship with other believers.
2. Stay in love with God. Psalm 91:14-16
3. Study God’s word.
1. Hosea 4:6a  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
4. Be led by the Holy Spirit. He will warn you of the danger.
5. Take a good look at those who are trapped.
6. Flee the appearance of evil.
1. Proverbs 1:17 When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away.

Exposing the traps of the evil one

1. Trap of trauma. To set a trap in the path of the victim and give no warning.
2. Trap of tranquility. To bring about change so slowly the victim doesn’t realize they are being trapped or procrastinates their escape. If you put off deciding long enough there will be a point where you can no longer decide. It is a trap of procrastination.
3. Traps of trends. To repeatedly deliver a shocking message until the victim is familiar with it and is lulled into complacency.
4. Trap of tradition. To keep the victim blinded by a policy, habit, custom or culture that was passed down and holds them back from reaching their potential.
1. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
5. Trap of the treadmill. To trap the victim in a process that looks productive but in fact takes them nowhere and doesn’t let them out.
6. Trap of treasure. To appeal to the victim’s senses so strongly they lose sight of reality.
1. Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
7. Trap of transgression. To hold a victim in bondage by tormenting them with guilt and a sense or worthlessness over the past mistakes they have made.

Colossians 1:14
God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

We were all trapped by our transgressions – our sins. Only the blood of Jesus can set us free. He has opened the cage for man to fly to freedom, won’t you accept that freedom today?