People Can Be Parasites?

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

When I was growing up we had woods behind our house.  I would spend countless hours tromping through them while my imagination would run wild with possible adventures.  And every single time I came home from a tromp, there was Mom reminding me to strip down in the garage and immediately get a shower where I was to check for ticks.

Ticks are parasites!  They mooch off of others constantly, and can cause lots of destruction to their host.  But do you think the tick cares?  Nope, they will simply toddle off to find another host to destroy.  Parasites need a host to feed on, and will ultimately wreak havoc with the hose until the host expels the parasite.  Sometimes expelling the parasite is painful, because the parasite doesn't WANT to leave!  The parasite has dug in and made itself right at home.

Did you know that people can be parasites?  They will come into your life, drain you emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially.  They will give you all sorts of sob stories why they need to stay and mooch off of you.  And we will be tempted to allow them, telling ourselves that we are doing a good thing by letting them stay and by providing for them without any expectation.  We will be tempted to fall for their sad stories and our Christian nature will want to be helpful.  

After all, Jesus helped the down and out folks didn't He?  Jesus reached out to those society had rejected, true enough.  BUT Jesus did not carry them through their lives so they didn't have to do anything but mooch.  

• The blind, Jesus restored his sight, which took away his excuse to not provide for himself.  
• The leper, Jesus healed, which took away his excuse to not provide for himself.
• The lame, Jesus healed, which took away his excuse to not provide for himself.
• The paralyzed, Jesus healed, which took away his excuse to not provide for himself.

A parasite is anything that latches on to you or your partner and sucks the life out of your marriage. They’re usually in the form of addictions, like gambling, drugs, or pornography. They promise pleasure but grow like a disease and consume more and more of your thoughts, time, and money. They steal away your loyalty and heart from those you love. Marriages rarely survive if parasites are present. If you love your spouse, you must destroy any addiction that has your heart. If you don’t, it will destroy you. 

In all Jesus' ministry, Jesus took away peoples' excuses.  Jesus promised to never let us get pushed past our limits, but He will let us get pushed right up to the brink of our limits.  Some will wait until the parasite and their tales of woe end up draining the resources, patience, and even the relationships.  

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: 'Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.'” 

When you take away the source of their indulgence, the parasite will leave.  Far too many people have found ways to overcome their circumstances and be productive for there to be excuses why others "can't make their own way."  

Helen Keller was blind, deaf AND mute.  Yet made a substantial contribution to our society through her determination and efforts.

Stephen Hawking is a quadriplegic, yet uses his mind to make great scientific progress.  

We see people every single day who, when put in a position where they have to do for themselves, do some incredibly creative and remarkable things to provide for themselves.

If you are an enabler, ask yourself how enabling is helping that person!

Want your joy and happiness to return?  Remove your ticks!