Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
The Damaged Catch.
By Sergey Perminov
July 1st, 2026
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8–9
At one time, I was interested in fishing—not for trophies, but for the pure pleasure of it. I’d sit on the shore with a rod in my hand and some suitable bait on my hook, and I remember that one day I caught a crucian carp—a beautiful fish with gold-colored fins.
As lunch time came around the fish stopped biting, so I got ready to go home. Having packed my tackle, I started to pull the cage out of the water and suddenly I noticed something strange. There was a struggle going on in the cage, and then I saw the horrifying head of a snake! The water snake was small but rather long and as it wriggled frantically, I saw that it was green with dark checkers. As the cage came out of the water, it let go and swam away. That was when I realized it was not poisonous; but I was surprised because I couldn’t imagine a snake that small would attack these larger fish! As I turned my attention to my catch, I saw that the snake had chewed off the dorsal fin of my golden carp. He had really done some damage! From the depths of my heart, I thanked God the snake hadn’t attacked me. I really didn’t want to feel its bite, even if it wasn’t poisonous!
Friends, I realize my story is not for the faint of heart, but following Jesus is also not for the faint of heart. The devil finds places to bite, grab onto, and gnaw out a piece of us for himself. He is a snake that will inflict damage on us any way he can. I hope this illustration sobers us up and mobilizes us to resist him, for when we’re inwardly ready for the enemy’s attack, we can stay vigilant and calm. Jesus promised to give us the strength to resist his attacks and overcome. In Luke 10:18–19 He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
The Damaged Catch.
By Sergey Perminov
July 1st, 2026
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8–9
At one time, I was interested in fishing—not for trophies, but for the pure pleasure of it. I’d sit on the shore with a rod in my hand and some suitable bait on my hook, and I remember that one day I caught a crucian carp—a beautiful fish with gold-colored fins.
As lunch time came around the fish stopped biting, so I got ready to go home. Having packed my tackle, I started to pull the cage out of the water and suddenly I noticed something strange. There was a struggle going on in the cage, and then I saw the horrifying head of a snake! The water snake was small but rather long and as it wriggled frantically, I saw that it was green with dark checkers. As the cage came out of the water, it let go and swam away. That was when I realized it was not poisonous; but I was surprised because I couldn’t imagine a snake that small would attack these larger fish! As I turned my attention to my catch, I saw that the snake had chewed off the dorsal fin of my golden carp. He had really done some damage! From the depths of my heart, I thanked God the snake hadn’t attacked me. I really didn’t want to feel its bite, even if it wasn’t poisonous!
Friends, I realize my story is not for the faint of heart, but following Jesus is also not for the faint of heart. The devil finds places to bite, grab onto, and gnaw out a piece of us for himself. He is a snake that will inflict damage on us any way he can. I hope this illustration sobers us up and mobilizes us to resist him, for when we’re inwardly ready for the enemy’s attack, we can stay vigilant and calm. Jesus promised to give us the strength to resist his attacks and overcome. In Luke 10:18–19 He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
The Damaged Catch.
By Sergey Perminov
July 1st, 2026
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8–9
At one time, I was interested in fishing—not for trophies, but for the pure pleasure of it. I’d sit on the shore with a rod in my hand and some suitable bait on my hook, and I remember that one day I caught a crucian carp—a beautiful fish with gold-colored fins.
As lunch time came around the fish stopped biting, so I got ready to go home. Having packed my tackle, I started to pull the cage out of the water and suddenly I noticed something strange. There was a struggle going on in the cage, and then I saw the horrifying head of a snake! The water snake was small but rather long and as it wriggled frantically, I saw that it was green with dark checkers. As the cage came out of the water, it let go and swam away. That was when I realized it was not poisonous; but I was surprised because I couldn’t imagine a snake that small would attack these larger fish! As I turned my attention to my catch, I saw that the snake had chewed off the dorsal fin of my golden carp. He had really done some damage! From the depths of my heart, I thanked God the snake hadn’t attacked me. I really didn’t want to feel its bite, even if it wasn’t poisonous!
Friends, I realize my story is not for the faint of heart, but following Jesus is also not for the faint of heart. The devil finds places to bite, grab onto, and gnaw out a piece of us for himself. He is a snake that will inflict damage on us any way he can. I hope this illustration sobers us up and mobilizes us to resist him, for when we’re inwardly ready for the enemy’s attack, we can stay vigilant and calm. Jesus promised to give us the strength to resist his attacks and overcome. In Luke 10:18–19 He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
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