One of Dumbledore's More Brilliant Ideas

   When looking at "one of [Dumbledore's] more brilliant ideas" in this chapter, I noticed that it is quite spiritually applicable. When Harry looks in the mirror he obtains the stone because he wants the stone. He doesn't want the reaction of others (Quirrel's vision) nor personal gain (money and life), he  wants the stone itself. Motives beyond that (keeping others safe) were to great to be seen in the mirror. 
   In the same way, when we accept Jesus invitation to follow Him and live with the Holy Spirit inside of us, we must do it because we want Jesus. Otherwise, we have not truly received Him. If we're trying to please parents/spouse/ect or simply want entrance to heaven, we are not followers of Jesus because we don't want Jesus, only what He can do for us. To know and love Him we must respond to his love rather than his power (2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 John 4:19).

devils snare

     Devil's Snare is a plant that Professor Sprout used to help guard the Philosopher's Stone (read page 201-202, book 1). Below is a list of the plant's qualities:

• Soft and Springy; doesn't seem like something that you'd need to avoid. 
• Wraps tendrils around you so that you don't notice until too late.
• Fighting back causes it to work faster.
• Only successfully fought with light and warmth (fire). 

     True to it's name, this plant is a visible demonstration of how the Devil tends to ensnare us. He lays his traps so that they seem good (or at least not bad) at the beginning but as time goes on we realize that he have stealthily been trapping us in a uncomfortable, scary position and in order to destroy us (1 Timothy 6:9). When we try to fight it only pulls tighter and faster so that we start to lose hope. The only successful way to fight the Devil and escape his traps is through Jesus (light and warmth). (Psalm 31:4  and John 8:12)

      Side note: John 8:12 fits really perfectly because Jesus is the "light of life" and the bluebell flames Hermione used to save Harry and Ron's life were the light of life for them because they saved their life! :)