As most readers will remember, I was privileged to be the son of a taxidermist. As such, I got to see many animals and experience many situations most children never do. My father’s shop along the Valley Pike was always an interesting place not only for hunters and occasional visitors, but also for his children.
One of my father’s archenemies in this somewhat unusual profession was the grease bug. That was his name for what others sometimes refer to as larder beetles. These six-legged adversaries are constantly on the hunt for any trace of neglected meat or fat. If all parts of a finished specimen aren’t treated to prevent them, these tiny critters can destroy a trophy in short order. Since taxidermy shops are collections of such mounts, we were always on constant alert for any sign of this miniature but aggressive nemesis.
After cutting deer antlers from the skull, we dunked their bases in a chemical solution to permanently repel such attackers. Even large moose and elk antlers had to be treated to prevent these opportunists from moving in and taking down the trophy a second time. Since the hides were chemically tanned there was nothing in those for these hungry insects to consume but every part of the original animal had to be bug-proofed to prevent infestation.
Following deer season, a piece of neglected skin or meat might be found in a corner and usually these destroyers had found it first. Extensive cleaning and spraying followed to ensure they didn’t survive and multiply to unmanageable levels.
These tiny bugs are only about 3/8ths of an inch long and have a very short life span, yet they can do great harm. Over a short time, they can completely ruin months of a taxidermist’s tedious and artistic work leaving behind a worthless specimen. Museum curators also must guard against these tiny soldiers to protect their mounted collections as well.
How very much these insects are like the little sins that can ruin an otherwise exemplary life. While we may never fall to what many would consider blatant gross sins like murder, drunkenness or adultery, “smaller” hidden ones like gossip, envy, or bitterness may seriously undermine our spiritual life. They thrive on any area of our soul that we typically neglect and will exploit all possible scraps of resentment or unforgiveness we have failed to remove through confession and repentance.
Seemingly small attitudes of jealously have a way of fostering destructive thoughts that lead to destructive actions. Even the strongest witness for Jesus can be eroded and eventually devastated by the constant feeding of these damaging invaders. At times, even churches or entire ministries have crumbled because of what began as “tiny” hidden sins that went unaddressed. Like the grease bugs, they multiply and destroy before we’re even aware they are present.
Pornography is another feeder that weakens healthy marriages and relationships and can lead to the collapse of both. Our real enemy, the Devil, has a way of bringing disparaging secrets to light at the perfect time to cause maximum dishonor and reputational damage. Believers must be as vigilant as taxidermists for all of these “little” grease bugs before they cripple us spiritually and ruin our witness.
Once properly preserved, taxidermy and museum specimens are usually permanently protected from the ravages of insects. Unfortunately, treatment in our spiritual lives is not a one and done incident. To prevent unwanted infestations, we must daily dip our thoughts and motives into God’s Word. As we do so, the Holy Spirit has a way of penetrating our souls and putting to death those pockets of potential problems just as pesticides deaden insect eggs. In addition, interaction with other believers for accountability can also catch problems before they mushroom. As we seek to keep our lives free of the damaging infestations of all sin, may we invite God to use His Spirit through His Word to keep us “bug free.” Blessings, George
