Deer Stand Devotionals: Don't Chase the Coyote!

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:22-23  

I am blessed to live on the edge of a forest preserve. In the Chicago suburbs, it's about as close as you can get to living out in the country. Beautiful sunrises, sunsets, innumerable species of birds, deer, and even a bald eagle now and then. Just about the only wildlife I have not seen in 7 years are wild turkeys.

Included in this menagerie of wildlife are coyotes. Just about every night you can hear the packs howling. Sometimes they are right on the other side of the treeline, and their cries can be downright eerie.


One creature who does not feel threatened at all by the coyotes is my German Shepherd, Millie. She isn't smart enough to realize they are a threat to her - she only sees another canine to play with. What she doesn't know is that observed coyote behavior has shown that the pack will send out a single dog in an attempt to get another animal to chase it. That coyote will then lead the unsuspecting creature straight to the pack.

Temptation is like that in our own lives. Temptation only shows you the bait or the lure, never the sharp hook of death. Just as it would be a horrible end for a dog chasing a coyote straight to the waiting pack, so we can chase sin with all willingness and run right into a trap. As Proverbs 5:22 says, we can go so far that the cords of sin hold us in bondage.

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Proverbs 5:22-23 

Fortunately, Scripture is replete with warnings to flee temptation and to avoid putting yourself in the place of temptation at all costs. Just as I repeatedly warn my dog that the coyote is not her friend, we have pastors and teachers constantly reminding us that sin is not our friend. Don't fall for the trap of following the coyote.