Quit Bugging Me!

We’ve reached the magical time of year officially known as Bug Season.

I say “magical” because it truly is amazing how bugs are gone for so long and then all of a sudden, after a good soaking rain and a little sunshine, boom, bugs are back and are everywhere.

Perhaps this is another illustration of resurrection in creation? Or maybe that’s blasphemous to compare annoying bugs everywhere to the resurrection! All I know is that it is pretty amazing.

And annoying.

There are the flies that circle your head, to the mosquitoes who always find your ear at night when you’re trying to sleep, to the little biting gnats that get in your hair and bite you 4,000 times before you get them freed from your locks, and the ticks that carry deadly diseases ready to take you out anytime you walk in the grass.

Magical.

Once they start; they just don’t stop. All day long they buzz around annoying you. Occasionally you score a victory by squishing one, but 14 others zoom in to take its place. All day. Every day. No breaks. No down time. Constant.

Although I’m a little uncomfortable comparing bugs to the resurrection, I have no problem comparing them to sin and the non-stop attacks of the world. All day long we are inundated with sinful messages and deceitful philosophies just waiting to suck life out of us.

When it comes to bugs, there are certain precautions you can take to fend them off. You can stay inside or cover yourself in mosquito netting. You can spray stinky bug spray on yourself. You can wave your arms constantly. You can use one of those tennis racket looking bug zappers. You must stay vigilant to beat the bugs.

The same thing applies to sin. “Watch and pray” we are told (1 Peter 4:7). Prayer keeps us engaged with what’s going on around us and mindful of God’s provision.

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Stand firmly in the character and qualities of Jesus Christ—righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word.

“Flee youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22) and “make no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14). These tactics keep us from evil and protect us from possible temptations we might otherwise fall for.

“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. When we walk under His influence we will have victory over sin. The Spirit will never lead you into sin.

Temptation never stops. Satan is a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour. He doesn’t take breaks. (also remember one of Satan’s names is Beelzebub, which means, “lord of the flies!” Coincidence? I think not!) The world doesn’t stop. If we’re not vigilant, walking in the Spirit, and informed by God’s Word, sin will have its way with us.

A day is coming when every believer will be set free from sin and its gross effects. We won’t have to be ever vigilant when we are in God’s pure, righteous presence. What a day that will be!

And maybe even best of all: there won’t be annoying bugs there either!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10-13

Prayer Requests:

• Pray as the Lord instructed: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
• Pray for those particularly under attack from sin and fleshly lust that trip them up and make a mess out of life that they would depend on the Lord and His easy burden and light yoke.
• Pray for awareness of the deceptions around us that we don’t get sucked into Satan’s lies, but rather get set free by the truth of God’s Word.