Jesus amazed his listeners in explaining deep spiritual truths by using common life situation and things around Him to illustrate a point: sheep, goats, coins, candles, salt, cities, sand, grain, wine, water, bread, family relationships, farming, fishing, storms, birth, death and a multitude of other metaphors. Life Lessons from Chess is an attempt to follow His model.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

17. Watch Out For Traps


Key Bible Verses: Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. (Matthew 22:15)

In one of my early chess games I fell into a trap that is known as the “scholars mate”. It is a fascinating opening that takes advantage of a weak pawn. The end result was that I lost the game in no less than the first four moves. (If you know chess notation, the game went like this: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh5 d6 4. Qxf7##) {see below}

This is a fun game to be on the giving side, but, not so much on the receiving side.  The truth of the matter is, there are several ways to avoid this trap, however, you have to know what is coming and how to react. How do you get this information? You study.

One of the key ways to avoid traps that people may pose as you present God’s message is to first, immerse yourself in the Word of God. Study it with all your heart. An additional way is to rely on the Holy Spirit to be your guide.

My response: Lord, give me the desire and the discipline to understand your Word.

Thought to Apply: Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (II Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible)

 

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