Satan is a master of disguise. He knows how to disguise his wolves to attract and ultimately destroy you and your friends. Ironically, Satan’s trap is always the same. He attempts to make the danger seem harmless. He makes the ugly seem beautiful. He makes the bad seem good. He makes your wrong choice seem OK.

Ironically, Satan’s trap is always the same. He attempts to make the dangerous seem harmless.

If you learn to recognize the traps and dangers Satan likes to put in your path, you can keep from having the wool pulled over your eyes. You can rip the sheep’s clothing right off the potential danger and get to the truth of his trap. Here are four of the traps Satan loves to set for you and your friends. Read on and get ready to steer clear of these wolves.

Sex

Wolf #1:

Sex is OK as long as you take precautions.

Truth #1:

The only safe sex is abstinence.

(Gen. 2:24; Matt. 5:27-28; 1 Cor. 6:18-20)

Satan sells sex, and he makes it look good. He plasters sexual images on television, at the movies, and in print. He also uses the power of your peers to sell his sex lie. Your desire to be loved and needed by someone might be just the tool Satan uses to cause you to let down your guard and be lured right into his trap.

Sex is never OK outside marriage. God intended for sex to be reserved for a married man and a woman who are committed to each other for life. Sex outside marriage brings emotional disappointment, possible diseases, and, sometimes, a pregnancy. Sex outside of marriage also can lead to problems in your relationship with your future spouse.

Substance Abuse

Wolf #2:

Experimentation with drug and alcohol use is OK.

Truth #2:

Drugs are addictive. All addicts tried “for fun” the first time, but people who never take that first step do not become addicts.

(Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:31-33; Eph. 5:18)

Satan says that a little drug and alcohol experimentation is OK. He captures your attention with a fun and inviting atmosphere, then fools you into thinking everyone is doing it. That’s just not true.

What he doesn’t show you are the consequences of a little experimentation. That great feeling at the party quickly turns to a queasy, sick feeling . . . if you actually make it home alive. Drugs also can be downright scary when you come off the high. Drug and alcohol use can impact your brain and body for life. Don’t fall for Satan’s “experiment because everyone’s doing it” lie.

Body Appearance

Wolf #3:

You must be thin. You must be muscular.

Truth #3:

You should be healthy.

(1 Sam. 16:7; Dan. 1:8-16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 3:3-4)

We are bombarded with thin and muscular images -television, movies, magazines, billboards, and advertisements. It’s easy to begin letting Satan fill our minds with a sense of failure if we don’t measure up to what we see portrayed as beautiful.

An obsession with anything other than Jesus is unhealthy. None of us need to obsess and compare our bodies with the models and actors we see in magazines or on television.

God made each of us with different body types and shapes. We are responsible for how we care for our bodies, and balance is the key. A balanced diet, sensible exercise, and rest are the keys to a healthy body. We are not to abuse our bodies with a lack of needed nutrients, too much exercise, or added products to enhance body mass or to shed pounds.

Music

Wolf #4:

The music you listen to does not have an impact on your actions and thoughts.

Truth #4:

The music you listen to has an influence because it either moves you closer to Christ or farther from Him.

(Matt. 12:35-37; John 8:47; Col. 2:6-8)

“He’s a great rap musician. I don’t listen to the words,” you say. The truth is you are hearing the words and remembering them. The problem is that God didn’t automatically put in a filter in your brain to keep the garbage out. He gives that responsibility to you.

Satan knows you are vulnerable in the area of music. Satan tries to make you think you can block out the trash in the music and music videos, but you eventually will grow numb to the filth. By that time, you’ll tolerate the filth instead of being outraged by it.

What’s a Believer to Do?

So, these wolves (and others like them) are on the prowl. What’s a believer to do? Well, here are four basic questions given by the Good Shepherd to keep His sheep out of trouble.

• Is this activity consistent with a Christian lifestyle?
• Can I or someone I care about be harmed if I participate in this activity?
• What does the Bible say about this activity?
• Can I tell my parents or youth leader about this?

Jesus has called you to be His sheep. Stay close to the protection and guidance of your Shepherd. Avoid the wolves-even if they’re wearing sheep’s clothing.