Open Mouth, Insert...Alligator?

By: Randal Myers

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Did you see the report from Everglades National Park this week? It was in all the news venues. Helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher, Michael Barron came across a most unusual sight. It was the remains of a thirteen-foot Burmese python that had apparently attempted to eat a six-foot alligator. It didn't work out well for either creature as the alligator objected to the arrangement after being half consumed. The python burst open at the midsection but even at that, the alligator couldn't extract himself so both the python and the alligator met their demise.

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What was the python thinking? How did he think he could ever handle such a task? Didn't he know better?

Obviously that python thought he could handle it. I wonder if any of his python buddies warned him or tried to convince him otherwise. Is there not a Python's Etiquette of Everglades Dining book in print? Dumb python.

"What was I thinking?"

But wait. Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew? Have you ever gotten in the middle of something big and wondered how in the world you could have let this happen? What was I thinking? I should have known better. I can't believe I've been so gullible. Dumb human.

It helps to know we're not the only ones. All of us from time to time fall victim to Satan's deception. He convinces us of a course of action that only leads to our demise. It may sound right at the time or it might look very appealing, but when all is said and done, we find we've been duped again and at a heavy cost.

For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world (1John 2:16). In other words, everything that looks good or sounds good isn't good.

Fortunately God has printed a Dining Etiquette book of sorts. The Bible warns us about what is a good idea and what is a bad one. God instructs us as to what will be fulfilling and what will ultimately be destructive for us. He wants us to consume only what nourishes and builds up, not what simply looks appealing. That's why Proverbs 6:20 says , My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. :21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. :22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you .

Satan is after all of us and his methods are underhanded. Don't bite. Feast on the Word of God and live to tell about it.

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