Parasites

I went to a wedding recently.  I live in an area where there is a lot of Spanish Moss.  In talking to the photographer, he informed me that there are quite a large number of people that like to have as much of this stuff in their photographs as possible.  Then I got to thinking about something that my mentor said, "We live in an area that has a Ton of Spanish moss.  That stuff is a parasite!  What do you think about that?"
 Well, pictures are a reflection of moments of our life that we would like to remember. Now that I think about it, yes, we do have a lot of parasites around us.  There are tons of things competing for our time, money, energy, and attention.  Unfortunately, a great many of them are parasites.
Lets suppose that pictures represent our lives.  We want as many parasites in them as possible, until they are revealed as parasites.  I'm going to use cocaine as a parasite.  It's extreme I know, but take what I say to any parasite that you can think of.  Ask someone who began as a once every once in a while cocaine user and has now found themselves in jail or worse as a result of consuming the narcotics.  At first it was something that seemed so pleasing, so wonderful, so beautiful.  Now the shine has worn off and you find yourself in a place that you never thought you  would be.
What is your Spanish moss?  It can literally be anything!  Like to play video games to the point where it takes all your time away from your responsibilities, relationships (spouse, children), etc. Is it something simpler and more easy to attain like...Facebook?  In case you're wondering, those two used to be mine.  Lets look at it this way, Consider the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22).  He had amassed all this wealth.  It seemed wonderful while he was building his fortune.  Unfortunately, it caused him to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the poor.  That was the only thing that he had to do to inherit eternal life.  He's kept all the commands, he was a believer.  This is just more proof that its not just about keeping the commands, but showing the rest of the world what God looks like.
Here's one of the worst parts about all of these parasites.  Spanish moss is notorious for housing red bugs, or chiggers. These are tiny little red bugs that bite you.  When they do, you'd much rather cut your leg off than feel the agony of these bites.  Going back to the cocaine user, you have things that you have to deal with. In the case of the cocaine, you have the drug dealer.  Someone who's job it is to keep you addicted as long as you keep giving them money. You have other addicts that always want to party, also keeping you in the addiction to keep themselves someone to party with.  You name it, all parasites have some form of "side effect".
What do we do about all this?  Well I know that Scripture tells us to avoid things that take away from our attention on Him.  Whatever you parasite is, if it takes away from His will, it needs to go.  Here's the kicker: once it gets in to your life, you have to fight nearly every demon in hell to get rid of it.  Coming from a recovered porn addict, you can be certain that I know what I am talking about.  The greatest part of all about my testimony with my parasite is that I can tell you from experience that it is possible to utterly destroy these parasites, but only with help from Jesus.  I wouldn't be writing this today if were not for the redeeming power of His blood, and the empowerment bestowed on my by His grace.
We all have our parasites.  The devil roams around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy.  Stay away from the parasites.  Do not even give them an inch of slack.  If you find yourself heading down that dark road, RUN the other way as fast as you can.  There are somethings that are ok in moderation.  Facebook, video games, food are some examples of that.  If you are eating cake 3 or 4 times a day and not eating anything else to speak of, my friend, you have a parasite!
"The thief comes to steal kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly" John 10:10

Grace and Peace be with you ALWAYS!!!