Most everyone knows that the ants are not only a very busy, but also very courageous little creatures. Any intruder is met with bold aggression. All danger from without is at once a signal for battle.
Yet there is one enemy these little ants do not recognize. He is able to enter the swarming ant-hill quite unnoticed. It is a little bug called “Lomechusa.” The first few ants might attack him, but strange to say, they do not bite him. They rather stroke his soft velvety back. He discharges a sweet fragrant odor which the ants eagerly take in. Soon they have forgotton that he is an intruder, and when his mate comes they receive the bride of this enemy as though she were one of them. Under the intoxicating aroma their energy and courage are soon paralyzed. Even the Queen succumbs, and within a year the once busy, thriving ant-hill is in ruins.
Now is not this a striking picture of how evil may enter the life of a Christian, or a happy company of believers, or even a home? The subtle workings of evil are not always recognized. They may enter undetected and work havoc. Spiritual energy is undermined and faith is dimmed; soon the ruin is complete. May we abide close to the Lord Jesus and detect evil before it gains entrance.
ML 10/20/1968