Avoiding Baits

**“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid”(Nehemiah 6:14).**

A bait refers to something used to lure someone into a trap. Baits are typically used to lure fish into nets or a fish unto a single hook. The term has commonly been used in conversations, to warn people about being duped or lured into a trap or an ambush.

The scripture reference above comes from a story we have discussed before regarding Nehemiah. While he built the wall, Sanballat and Tobiah perceived that he was a godly man. As such they felt that he may listen and heed the words of a prophet. The trap was to lure him into the temple to hide out of fear of being killed (Nehemiah 6:10).

Nehemiah refused to go into the temple with Shemaiah. It did not make sense to Nehemiah, to abandon the work which God had commissioned him to do, to go in hiding in the temple. “And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him”(Nehemiah 6:12). Nehemiah was perceptive enough to discern, that this prophet had been hired to make him afraid and to cause him to act in disobedience.

Nehemiah continued to ignore the distractions and soon after successfully completed the work. I know we have laboured the point over the last few days, regarding false prophets and false prophecies. I believe that we have entered a time, when there are so many contrary voices among us. It is extremely important that we make time to study and understand the scriptures for ourselves. Be sober, be vigilant, be watchful and give careful attention, prayer and thought to discern the voice of God from the voice of the devil.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John‬ ‭10:27‬).

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.

Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.

I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.

I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young

Published
January 26, 2021January 26, 2021