Let us learn a lesson from the alligator.
Being lazy beasts, alligators seldom hunt for their dinner. They just wait for their unwary victims to come to them.
They lie near the bank with open mouths.
Soon, flies begin to land on their moist tongues, and several other insects also gather there. The alligator remains still.
The crowd of insects soon attracts bigger game. A lizard will crawl up to the alligator to feed on the bugs; then a frog joins the party, and usually even bigger game. Before long a whole menagerie is there.
Then comes a sudden ‘earthquake’
– WHAM! –
the giant jaws come together
and the party is over for the unsuspecting happy crowd.
The lesson for us?
Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 tells us
“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death”
The crowd likes to party.
The crowd likes to follow the way that seems right to them.
The crowd doesn’t see (or chooses to ignore) the danger.
The crowd is usually on the “broad way” that leads to death.
POPULARITY is NOT the guideline.
“Everyone is doing it” is NOT the guideline.
“There is a way that seems right to a man”
Most people take the ‘easy’ way,
the ‘party’ way,
the ‘life is short: enjoy it’ way.
Man’s way leads to death – eternal death.
On the other hand, the “narrow way” leads to life.
What is that way?
Jesus said – [John 14:6]
“I AM THE WAY, the Truth and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except by Me”
The ‘narrow way’ admits only individuals, one at a time,
but those individuals who walk that road
find that the life He gives is an “abundant life” [John 10:10]
“As for God, His way is perfect . . . And He makes my way perfect”
Psalm 18:30,32
Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes.
MEETING IN THE CLOUDS 
What a true article! When we stand before God in judgment, it won’t be those people we were trying to impress, or too ashamed to speak up in front of; it will be God Almighty. And at that moment, we will feel His judgment, and we will be ashamed before Him, ten fold whatever shame or embarrassment we felt before others. “See ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you!”
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SEEK ye first..not see..sorry..I guess I didn’t hit the K hard enough while I was typing! I do that often!
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Yes, we will indeed feel shamed but there will be NO CONDEMNATION.
He will be grieved that I didn’t use the power He had given me. I will feel remorse as I see the “wood, hay and stubble”. Thankfully, there will also be enough “gold, silver and precious stones” to obtain a crown or two to lay at His feet as praise for HIS work in me.
We serve an amazing God!
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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are ‘in’ Christ Jesus, amen.
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Hi Angela, a powerful message and a challenge to choose what is right in God’s eyes not fleshy mans. God tells us to seek and ask for His wisdom and not Trust in worldly wisdom or our own understanding.
I very rarely watch T.V but have been doing so on Holidays, I was shocked not only by the shows but commercials too, what God tells us is evil is being promoted and exulted.
Thank you for your message a good reminder to seek for God’s wisdom and to obey Him not fleshy man.
It’s raining today but I’m in a dry hut near the beach, Ron is catching up on some reading.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
P.S We are still not receiving your replies or posts Angela from your Blog
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The ways of the world lead to death. I have also been horrified by the ‘tone’ of TV programs and advs lately – and the increase in the number of occult-based programs.
It is raining here too. It hasn’t bothered me today but I do need to do some washing soon.
Re receiving posts. I know I have not been notified about a couple of good friends’ posts lately. It seems WordPress is trying a few new things. For a while the ‘notify me of follow-up comments’ was ticked automatically and now it isn’t. For the first time ever we are now seeing advs on a number of blogs and I think this is the main reason why the site has slowed down so much.
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Top-notch analogy, Angela! Kind of reminds me of… “sin sure is fun! …for a season.” May we seek the joy found only in Jesus, and stay far from those gators! God bless, good friend.
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“The pleasures of sin” don’t hold the pleasure they once did – thankfully – because Holy Spirit works in our conscience and our love for the Lord takes away the pleasure and replaces it with remorse.
Isn’t God wonderful? He keeps us walking in His way, safe from all that would rob us of His fellowship!
What an amazing God!
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Great post Angela, with some good advice. If everybody is doing it…then most likely we should not be.
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Agreed Greg. The problem for our young people today is that waaaaaaaay too much is accepted as ‘normal’ and they get drawn into a lifestyle that is not God-honouring and most often leads away from spiritual things to destruction. It is very difficult for young people to stand apart from the crowd – from what ‘everyone’ is doing.
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You hit the nail the head. It’s getting harder to get these young ones to see that. :(
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Thanks for sharing, Angela
Can’t say I’ve never been close to the jaws of death. Thankful that Jesus snatched me from certain destruction! Praise His holy name!
Your post made me think (as always). Maybe I would not approach an alligator if I saw it in the open, but yes, I may be more inclined to toy with it if I see others doing that without getting hurt. What a terrible thing it is to follow the crowd down that broad destructive path.
Blessings much and thanks for the reminder.
On alert,
ann
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Hi Ann. I agree that possibly none of us will ever have to face an alligator, but we all face crowds trying to entice us with false messages.
Christians get drawn into unwholesome activities because their friends are there and are enjoying themselves. It is difficult for many to NOT participate with them; to stand aside and walk with the Lord. We see a massive increase in occult based TV programs, movies and books, persuading many that there is nothing wrong in such activities. Occult activities are accepted as an ‘entertainment’. Even our nations are bowing to the pressure of the crowds with legislation against the Scriptural principles [e.g. same sex marriage]
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Hi Angela,
I thought on a game children used to play, “Follow the leader.” Well, it’s definitely not a game now! Are we going to choose the broad way, or the narrow way! So many choose to live in the moment, without thinking of the consequences of doing so. “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39 I would much rather keep my eyes on Jesus, and follow Him, because the broad way leads to distraction, but the narrow way leads to life eternal with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! A no-brainer, right? One would think! Wonderful post and great analogy, as always! May God bless you, as you continue to sound the alarm!
Paulette
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I dictated the word “destruction,” but it was interpreted as “distraction”. Sorry! :-)
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Thanks Paulette. A no-brainer? Right! We *KNOW* that when we keep to the narrow path, directed by our loving Lord, we are kept by His power. When I focus on the Lord Jesus, I will reach out to those on the broad way, but my feet are firmly planted in HIS way.
We serve an amazing God!
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Mentor Angela, you’ve done it again, using the alligator to show us how something dangerous can appear non existent really. Also your comment to Granbee made me think too, of how sometimes we think that if we join in something the crowd is doing, we’ll have a better chance to show them Jesus. I’m not sure it always works that way though.
God bless you dear lady of His, as you seek Him and His narrow path each day!
love and prayers!
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Debbie, I certainly do NOT think that joining in with the crowd and their activities is an opportunity to witness. I’m afraid it usually works the opposite way and I have always warned the young people about this.
We need to keep to the narrow way, but reach out to those who are living on the broad way – but without joining them in their behaviour. We can find other opportunities to reach them without joining them.
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God will direct our ways AWAY from that crowd about to be snapped up in the jaws of spiritual death. We just stand back and seek Him always. No rushing in before seeking His guidance!
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True advice Granbee. When we submit to God and resist the devil, he has no chance and he flees.
When I think of “accepted Christian behaviour” as it was a few decades ago, I wonder how far we have moved with the crowd. Maybe in some areas we have to ‘move with the times’ but I’m sure we’ve overstepped the mark in many areas. We do (or are supposed to) walk the narrow path while reaching out to those on the broad way.
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When we take our eyes off of Christ, it is so easy to run with the crowd to the defeat of our testimony. But when we think about our Lord, His greatness, His work on our behalf, His relationship to us, and His promises to us…. how can we compromise our faith and service to Him?
Another VERY ENCOURAGING posting! Lord bless.
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I agree Rob. When we consider all HE has done for us, our hearts should be so overwhelmed that the thought of doing anything to offend His holiness should be abhorrent to us. Our only interest in the ‘crowd’ should be to show them the Lord Jesus, and we won’t do that by joining in with their activities.
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Yes, So many who have made all the difference, have stood alone on their own convictions about God.
And were closer to God at those times than anyone.
Christ, Paul, Luther, Calvin, on and on.
Thank you for this. I NEEDED IT.
C. C. T.
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You are welcome CCT. We all need to stand back and assess our convictions, ensuring they are in line with our standing in Christ.
This world is not my home.
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The easy way is not always the best way or the right way, but sadly, many people follow it. I would rather fight to stay on the right path, knowing it will lead me to the waters of life.
Great post Angela!
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Hi Barb. God’s way is ALWAYS the best way.
I’ll email you with update news.
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