| Clickbait - article by Joel Hempel
According to my Merriam-Webster Dictionary, clickbait is something (such as a headline) designed to make readers want to click on an internet hyperlink, especially when the link leads to content of dubious value or interest. Clickbait headlines often use language and images that appeal to emotions.”* My research also discovered that clickbait was first used on the internet in 1999 but was used in the 1800s in newspapers. Satan, however, has been using a form of clickbait since the beginning of time. He aims to get us to click on, look at, listen to, or go for anything that leads us away from God and our Lord’s will for our lives. Like on the internet, Satan will use multiple approaches as well as an individually designed clickbait to connect with our dark side – what St. Paul calls our old self or flesh (Rom. 6:6, 8:5-8; Gal. 5:16-25). The Prince of Darkness will use enticing phrases, comments, pictures, thoughts, feelings, words, and silence. He’ll use a simple word or thought to reach us while walking in the woods or listening to a song. Seeking to catch us off guard, clickbait is used when we are alone or at work, listening to a presentation, or relaxing with a favorite author. The Tempter is unmatched in his seductive ingenuity (see 1 Peter 5:8). - Look at this picture. It’s only sort of off-limits.
- If it feels right, it can’t be wrong.
- That looks good. Go ahead; you deserve it.
- Those ideas about how to live are archaic. No one believes that anymore.
Don’t be fooled; Satan is neither a fantasy nor a myth. He is the Evil One with tremendous but limited power (Job 1:8-2:13), and if we don’t take him seriously, he will seriously mess with our lives (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Are you inclined to entertain Satan’s temptations? If you can’t answer with an uncompromised no, that is where the spiritual homework will have to begin. Ask God for the courage to have a bold and unguarded conversation with Him. Ask Him for the strength only He can give and the courage to repent (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Although our battle with the Evil One and our flesh will be with us until God calls us home, we can and will grow in our God-given victories as we fight the necessary fight and rely on God’s protection (see James 4:7 Eph. 6:10-18). Finally, let God’s forgiveness strengthen and encourage you. Jesus died on the cross for us so we don’t have to carry the burden of our sins. And when he rose victoriously over death, he also broke Satan’s controlling power over us (see Romans 6:14). Jesus, our Lord, has brought us into a forgiving and empowering relationship with the Father. In God we trust! *An AI Overview found on the internet. | 
