The Sneaky Brown Recluse

Now, I don't know much about bug bites - except that they itch, they are often unsightly, and that we try to avoid them at all costs. I do know, however, that a brown recluse spider is not my friend, and if there is a bug to avoid - this is the one. Now, living in the country, you never know what will enter through your front door. We've had our share of mice, flies, unslightly little gnats, and even once, a snake (that, of course, was before we moved in). Most of the pests are removed with simple measures like keeping the door closed, calling Orkin, or even just keeping the house clean. But, you never can be too careful. Outside in our yard, there are definitely a plethora of bugs just waiting to scope out the new home. And, although not too common in our area, I have seen one brown recluse.

The brown recluse doesn't seek human contact, it just happens. And, the brown recluse bites, unseemlingly, even painlessly, leaving a small bump that doesn't seem to be a problem. Then, the bump grows, slightly at first; there is slight swelling and maybe a little red circle around the bite. Then, a blister forms. (Not too bad, huh?) Here's where it gets gross - following the blister comes tissue death - a big mess of dead tissue... and I do mean big. Oftentimes, if not treated, a brown recluse bite requires skin grafts and/or plastic surgery. We're talking - tiny little spider with a big BAD bite!

So, here's what I'm thinking - the brown recluse bite is somewhat like sin. Think about it. There is a little sin... not a big one, a little one... that we get involved in. No problem, right - no one gets hurt. Just a small bump in the road. Well, since that sin worked out, we go a little bigger next time... there's the swelling. Maybe we get a warning - like a red circle. But, we continue on. And, well, the sin festers... and our relationship with God continues to suffer - there's that tissue death. And, if untreated or unaknowledged - the tiny little sin has a big BAD bite!

You see in Hebrews 12:1, we learn that sin easily entangles us. Sin doesn't often swoop in and announce its consequences - it sneaks in, painlessly, unseemingly. James 1:15 puts it this way - "then, after desire has concieved, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown; gives birth to death." Just like that bite, right

• Desire - the intitial painless bite
• Sin - small bump, a little swelling... maybe a red circle
• Full grown sin - the festering tissue
• Death - tissue death.. grossness

So, what can we do? Well, in the case of the brown recluse, we go to a doctor; get an antibiotic, and carefully follow the doctor's orders. In some cases, we may need a complete overhaul of the area with skin grafts and/or surgery. In the case of sin, we go to Jesus. We are forgiven, and we seek to follow Him. And, in most cases, we need to straighten up our lives and seek God.

The good news is - there is a cure! Both for sin and for the brown recluse bite. In Romans 4:7-8 it says, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." And, how does the Lord not count our sin? When its covered by the blood of Jesus.

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1