Note 50 at 2 Tim. 2:26: Notice that Satan always catches his prey through a "snare." A snare is a device that uses something that is desired to lure the prey into the trap. When trapping animals, the bait is usually food-something that is good and essential for life, but when combined with the trap, it becomes deadly.

Likewise, Satan uses things that God intended for good to trap people. With Adam and Eve it was a desire to be like God that put them into Satan's trap (Gen. 3:5). God created sex to be a good thing as long as it is only with your mate, but the devil has perverted sex and snared many people.

Note 51 at 2 Tim. 2:26: One of the lies of the devil that catches many people is, "You want to be free don't you? Do your own thing! Don't listen to anyone! Be your own person." But this verse reveals that those who disobey the truth are Satan's captives, and he takes them captive whenever he wants.

There is no such thing as being totally independent. We are either controlled by God or the devil. We don't control ourselves. Those who think they are controlling their own choices are playing right into the snare of the devil. Serving yourself is serving the devil's purpose.

We don't control ourselves, but we do have the freedom of choice as to whom we will serve (Dt. 30:19). ". . .Choose you this day whom ye will serve. . .as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).