A bait refers to something used to lure someone into a trap. Baits are typically used to lure fish into nets or a fish unto a single hook. The term has commonly been used in conversations, to warn people about being duped or lured into a trap or an ambush.
The scripture reference above comes from a story we have discussed before regarding Nehemiah. While he built the wall, Sanballat and Tobiah perceived that he was a godly man. As such they felt that he may listen and heed the words of a prophet. The trap was to lure him into the temple to hide out of fear of being killed (Nehemiah 6:10).
Nehemiah refused to go into the temple with Shemaiah. It did not make sense to Nehemiah, to abandon the work which God had commissioned him to do, to go in hiding in the temple. “And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him”(Nehemiah 6:12). Nehemiah was perceptive enough to discern, that this prophet had been hired to make him afraid and to cause him to act in disobedience.
Nehemiah continued to ignore the distractions and soon after successfully completed the work. I know we have laboured the point over the last few days, regarding false prophets and false prophecies. I believe that we have entered a time, when there are so many contrary voices among us. It is extremely important that we make time to study and understand the scriptures for ourselves. Be sober, be vigilant, be watchful and give careful attention, prayer and thought to discern the voice of God from the voice of the devil.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 