Moths can be very destructive while in the caterpillar (larva) stage. Some species eat holes in fabric, fur and other things, while others damage food crops and other plants. However, a fully developed moth no longer harms things; some actually are helpful. A few of them never eat at all, and others have new appetites, eating only nectar from flowers. Flitting from one flower to another to gather the nectar, they carry pollen which helps pollinate flowers. Also, lovely silk thread is made from the cocoon of the silkworm moth in the Orient.
How can we tell the difference between moths and butterflies? Moths usually have thicker bodies and smaller wings than butterflies. Moths fly mostly at night while butterflies fly in daylight. When resting, butterflies’ wings are upright; moths’ wings are flat, like an airplane, or tight against their bodies.
The birth and development of moths follows the exact pattern established by the Creator when He first created them. There has been no change since that day, and His instruction that each generation must reproduce “after his kind” has always been followed. In springtime they hatch as caterpillars from eggs deposited on trees and bushes. They do not remain as caterpillars very long. Soon they spin a cocoon, often inside curled leaves or under the bark of a tree. One of the wonders of God’s creation is the way a caterpillar changes inside its cocoon. In a few weeks’ time, it has fully developed into a moth, complete with markings, and is able to fly.
There are countless varieties of these interesting insects. The largest is called the atlas of India which measures as much as 12 inches across - from wing tip to wing tip. In North America the largest is the royal moth. It begins as a jet-black caterpillar, eating pine and hemlock needles. It eventually emerges from its cocoon as a pretty six- to seven-inch moth.
Even though moths are interesting, the caterpillar’s bad habits cannot be overlooked. These habits remind us of Satan who brings evil thoughts and actions into people’s lives before they are aware of the danger. That is why the Bible urges us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:2020But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20)). Is that where your treasures are?
If we have faith in the Lord Jesus and really want to please Him, we don’t need to listen to Satan. It is helpful to remember a good verse to add to our prayers: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:1414Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)).
ML-03/25/2001