The story is told of a certain African tribe that learned an easy way to capture ducks in a river. Catching their agile and wary dinner would be a feat indeed, so these hunters formulated a plan.

The tribesmen learned to go upstream, place a pumpkin in the river, and let it slowly float down into the flock of ducks. At first, the cautious fowl would quack and fly away. After all, it wasn't ordinary for pumpkins to float down the river! But the persistent tribesmen would subsequently float another pumpkin into the re-gathered ducks. Again they would scatter, only to return after the strange sphere had passed. Again, the hungry hunters would float another pumpkin. This time the ducks would remain, with a cautious eye on the pumpkin, and with each successive passing, the ducks would become more comfortable, until they finally accepted the pumpkins as a normal part of life.

When the natives saw that the pumpkins no longer bothered the ducks, they hollowed out pumpkins, put them over their heads, and walked into the river. Meandering into the midst of the tolerant fowl, they pulled them down one at a time. Roast duck was on the menu for evening supper.

Satan will use the same tactics as these hunters to try and deceive us. We become accustomed to, and begin tolerating, perverse “pumpkins” in our own lives. We may even decide that perhaps these sins aren’t so bad after all, and eventually end up drowning in destruction. Lying, drugs, sexual immorality, and alcoholism, to name a few, may not seem like a big deal once we become accustomed to them, but this is exactly what Satan wants you to believe. Sooner or later these sins will pull you underwater and destroy you. Let us heed the warning in today’s verses and stay alert for the enemies schemes.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, help me keep your Word always in my heart to help me stand strong against Satan’s deceitful schemes. May Your truth shine brighter than the darkness around me, and give me the courage to do what is right in all circumstances. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1.    1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.