A Small but Big Ticket Item
Now and then we get the opportunity (and the time!) to go bush walking. Now my wife's favourite idea of a bush walk, is one that takes you right under a waterfall. She loves waterfalls, and that's why we just HAD to visit the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, when we were in Namibia some 14 years ago for Julie and Jimmy's wedding. Of course one of the hazards of bush-walking, especially in rain forests, is that of getting attached to a tick - or should I say a tick getting attached to a part of one's body.
I never used to worry about it much - after all, you just pull them out before they disappear right under your skin - until I heard of someone who ended up suffering with high fever, then muscular pain, and then excruciating headaches. It actually took several tests to uncover what had caused these debilitating symptoms - yes that's right, an undetected tick which had made its home in the lady's leg. And long after she had been treated, she continued to feel the effects of that one stupid little tick. So the moral of the story is - check yourself thoroughly after a bush walk and get rid of any ticks quickly - those little things that can hurt you for a long time.
Actually, you need to do that spiritually, too. Because there are "little ticks" that we get bitten with, which if not removed quickly, can cause us more pain and more problems than we could ever imagine. Small invasion - major damage. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, the Apostle gives us a timely warning: "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith." Why? Because something small, can end up causing you a lot of trouble for a long time.
You feel (actually that's Satan tempting you) that it's not important to worship the Lord on Sundays. That's the "tick" attaching itself and getting ready to do its damage. If you flicked it away then, little damage would have been done. But no - you didn't. One Sunday turned to two, then three.... The "tick" burrows deeper.
Next you give up Bible Study and prayer. Increasing damage is being done. Before long, the peace and joy and the assurance of salvation are lost. Your life is without a firm foundation. You are being tossed around by the things that are happening around you. Life loses its purpose. The "tick" has burrowed deep. The damage is done. Yes, we must always "Be alert" to these attacks of Satan.
We could mention other "tick" bites. In Hebrews 12:15, we have a situation where the "bite" is something that makes us have some hard feelings toward another person. And Scripture warns us, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Bitterness and resentment always begin just as a little root.
But bitterness never stays a little root. It keeps growing into a poisonous plant that ends up hurting us and hurting others. A root of bitterness has destroyed marriages, churches, friendships, and businesses, because it wasn't pulled up when it was small. Because the tick wasn't removed immediately after it entered someone's system, much damage was done.
This principle of dealing with sinful urges while they're small, applies to so many things in our life. The Bible says, "Flee youthful lusts" (2 Timothy 2:22), which by the way, aren't just a problem for youths! If you dwell on a wrong thought, a lustful attraction, it will quickly lead you where you never meant to go. You've got to yank it off the stage in your mind the second it shows up there, or it will embed itself in your mind like a tick and do damage that you never imagined.
When you are involved in actions or schemes which are contrary to the Word of God, stop being involved immediately. You're going to be less likely to do the right thing the more time passes. It will never be easier to stop and get out of that situation, than now. When you start feeling the pull of an old weakness, respond immediately by running, not walking, in the other direction. That urge to hurt back, to get even, to brood over a wound; those are all "ticks" that, if you let them get under your skin, they will cause problems bigger than you ever thought and for much longer than you ever imagined.
When the spiritual "tick" begins to attach itself - when there is the urge to rebel against God's Word, to respond sinfully to various situations, don't let it bite you and burrow under your skin. Get rid of it - quickly and aggressively. It may seem like a "no big deal" right now. But if you don't deal with it now, it will do damage that will hurt you for a long, long time.
And here is some great news! As on our bush walks we can dress in such a way that the "tick" will not be able to bite us. Paul says that by putting on the armour of God (see Ephesians 6:10-20) you will be "tick" free, you will have the armour to resist and overcome Satan when he attacks. Christ has overcome Satan through his victory on the Cross. If we truly love Him, we will put that armour on, and so overcome in His strength. The "tick" will find nowhere to bite! "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armour of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil...." Please read for yourself what the armour consists of in Ephesians 6:10-20), and wear it gladly and humbly. Grace and peace....