The ant is mentioned only two times in the Bible.  Both references are found in the book of Proverbs (Prov. 6:6; 30:25).  This small creature, and, its seemingly insignificant mention in Scripture, however, provide gigantic lessons for human beings.

            The wise Solomon presents the ant to the sluggard in Proverbs 6:6-8.  He writes:  “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  which having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”  The sluggard is the “sluggish” and “lazy” individual.  Other words used to describe the sluggard are slouch, indolent, bum, loafer, good-for-nothing, slug, and couch-potato.  The sluggard can learn much from an insect that can be a pest to human beings.  Solomon counsels the sluggard to consider the ant’s ways, “and be wise.” 

            First, he notes that the ant does not have to be supervised.  He has no guide, overseer, or ruler.  The ant is self-motivated.  He does not have to be told what to do.  He does not have to have his actions monitored by a manager.  He does not have to be held accountable by someone higher up.  In our society today, there are many people who are not “self-propelled.”  They have to be told what to do.  They have to have someone constantly prodding them along to get something done.  If they are not told precisely what to do, they will do nothing.  When Paul addressed Christians who were slaves in the first century, he exhorted them not to be “menpleasers,” that is, those who worked only when strictly supervised.  Here are his instructions:  “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  and whatsoever ye do, to it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:22-24).  All Christians should work heartily in every service they render.  It should not matter whether they are supervised or not.  They know that they are working for another who is higher up the hierarchal structure than their boss.  They are working for Jesus Christ. 

            Second, the ant works hard.  Solomon uses two words to describe the ant’s labors, “provideth” and “gathereth.”  Most of us have seen ants hard at work.  They are constantly “on the go.”  They do not take a break.  They do not sleep on the couch for hours at a time.  They do not sleep in.  They provide and gather.  This is how all Christians should work.  There are several illustrations of hard workers in the Bible.  Jacob worked hard for Laban.  He reviewed his years of work for his father-in-law in Genesis 31:38-41.  “This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.  That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.  Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.  Thus, have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle:  and thou hast changed by wages ten times.”  As we read these words, we feel the burden of Jacob’s work.  It was difficult.  It was sacrificial.  It was unfair.  Yet, none of these deterred him.  He always put forth the necessary effort that made him a valuable employee.  We should all try to resemble Jacob in our labors.  Even when our work is hard and our boss is unreasonable and inequitable, we need to keep putting our best foot forward.

            Third, the ant does not have to rely on others for support.  The ant provides “her meat.”  The ant provides “her food.”  She does not have to have someone else provide for her.  She does not feel entitled to the profits of another.  She does not believe that others owe her something.  One of the things the Bible stresses is self-sufficiency.  Paul taught this to the church in Thessalonica.  “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing”(I Thess. 4:11-12).  In his second letter to this same church, he continued to exhort them to provide for themselves.  “For even when were with you, this we commanded you, that is any would not work, neither should he eat.  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread” (II Thess. 3:10-12).  Paul did not just preach these words.  He practiced what he preached.  In I Thessalonians 2:9, he reminded the church of his labors among them.  “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail:  for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”  All Christians need to take responsibility for caring for themselves.  God does not authorize those who are strong and healthy to be partakers of welfare.  No, he teaches the strong and healthy to work and support themselves. 

            An ant is a very little creature.  However, he is able to teach us profound lessons.  He teaches us to work unsupervised.  He teaches us to labor diligently.  He teaches us to be self-sufficient.  Our present society needs a good dose of the “ant work ethic.”  May we as Christians never be grouped among the sluggards of the world.  May all who know us compliment us for working as hard as an ant.

Paul entered into the city of Athens alone.  It was the capital city of Greece.  The temple of Athena was there.  The city was given to idolatry.  Athens was the seat of learning as well.  The wise men and philosophers gathered in the agora, the marketplace, to discuss ideas, concepts, and various doctrines. 

            Acts 17:16-20 tells of the events that led up to Paul’s sermon on Mars’ Hill.  “Now while Paul waited for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.  Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.  Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him.  And some said, What will this babbler say?  other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods:  because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.  And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?  For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears:  we would know therefore what these things mean.  (For all Athenians, and the strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)”

            The Athenians loved the new, the novel, the different, the strange, and the mysterious.  Luke’s narrative tells us that they “spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.”  The Athenian citizens were captivated by “the different.”  Fortunately, this allowed Paul to speak to them about the Christ and His resurrection.  It also enabled him to stand before this curious crowd and proclaim unto them the UKNOWN GOD.  Unfortunately, these men did not have hearts that were honest and good (Luke 8:15).  They were simply captivated by the odd and unusual.  When Paul focused in on the resurrection, their attitudes changed.  “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked:  and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter” (Acts 17:32).

            Many individuals are much like the Athenians.  They are captivated by “the different.”  People get tired of the same, the common, and the usual.  In time, they cease to listen even if the things proclaimed are true, important, needed, and eternal.  This is one reason why false teachers are able to make an impact upon Christians.  Their teachings are new and innovative.  They are presented in exciting and simple ways.  Many times, they tickle the ears of the audience.  Those listening “ooh” and “aw” over the false teacher.  They treat him like the Athenians did Paul, saying:  “May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest is?  For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears:  we would know therefore what these things mean.”  Before long, they embrace the error.  They begin to proclaim it as zealously as the false teacher did.

            All of us need to be very careful about quickly embracing the new and novel.  It may sound good.  It may appeal to our senses.  The question that we need to ask, however, is:  “Is this true to God’s Word?”  Sometimes it is just pop psychology.  Sometimes it is just motivational jargon.  Sometimes it is just a bunch of stories and illustrations.  Sometimes it is just the opinions of men.  We may enjoy it.  We may feel good listening to it.  But, there are times when it lacks the precious Word of God.  If the Word of God is not there, the soul will never be nourished.  We feel good, but we are spiritually malnourished.  If that continues for a long period of time, we will eventually grow weak.  Our spiritual weakness can lead to spiritual death.        

            Audiences need to listen closely to the things that individuals teach them.  Jesus exhorts us, saying:  “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24).  The “what” matters.  Paul told Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2).  This same apostle told another young evangelist to speak “the things which become sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1).  Peter’s counsel aligns with the words of Paul.  He writes:  “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Pet. 4:11).  Remember, if it is not God’s Word that is being proclaimed, it will not do our spiritual man any good.

            True men of God know that it is vital for God’s message to be spoken.  Paul told the church at Corinth:  “And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and power:  that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2;4-5).  One of the problems facing the church in Colossae involved their being led astray by the wisdom and commandments of men (Col. 2:22).  Paul, therefore, warned the church, saying:  “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). 

            Satan knows that “the different” is tempting.  He knows that men will listen to “the different.”  He knows that men will give “the different” some time and tolerance.  He knows that people will often change the tried and true for “the different.”  He knows “the different” will be defended vigorously by some individuals just because it is different.  “The different” caught the first couple off guard.  Before they knew it, they were in sin, living in a cursed world, and were cast forth from their precious home in the Garden of Eden.  “The different” is not always better.  If “the different” is a different gospel, we should keep Paul’s words to the churches of Galatia in mind.  “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9).

The statement that entitles this article was heard often when this writer was growing up.  Women were entering the workplace and leaving the home.  This left them with less time to take care of the household responsibilities.  Thus, maids (house cleaners) were hired.  It wasn’t long before maids learned that their employers wanted them to do all kinds of chores around the house, including cleaning windows.  This was a laborious task that the maid did not want to do.  She quickly learned that when she was interviewing for a new job to tell her employer:  “I don’t do windows.”  In the movie, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” there is a play upon this concept when a maid was being hired.  This maid, however, had a laundry list of things that she would not do.

               This attitude seems to be prevalent among many Christians.  As children of God, we have been called to be servants.  Jesus set the standard of servanthood while in the upper room with His disciples.  “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel,      and girded himself.  After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel where-with he was girded….So after he had washed their feet, and had taken         his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  Ye call me Master and Lord:  and ye say well; for so              I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:4-17).  Jesus, the Master, did to His disciples what they should have done to one another.  Humbly, He took the lowly position of a servant and washed each of their feet.  He, then, exhorted His apostles to do as He had done to them, that is, serve in any lowly capacity needed.

               As a member of the body of Christ, one quickly learns that there are multitudes of tasks that need to be done.  Many Christians, however, do not enjoy some of these tasks.  They cost a lot of time.  They do not always bring a rush of positive emotions.  Some of them can be difficult and laborious.  They do not put wealth into the pocketbook.  There is often little gratitude expressed for a job well done.  Occasionally, there may be some expense involved.  And, occasionally, there will someone who complains about the efforts that have been put forth.  For these and other reasons, Christians have developed their own lists of things they will not do.  They have become much like the maids who don’t do windows.

               There are some Christians who don’t do Sunday morning Bible class.  Commonly, those who don’t do Bible class involve ¼ to 1/3 of the members of the local congregation.  They do not want to lose one hour of sleep on their day off.  They do not want to have to sit through a 45-minute class listening to a subject that doesn’t interest them.  They get irritated when the teacher stresses lessons that are “too close to home.”  It upsets them when some obnoxious brother or sister continually tries to teach class from their seat.  Thus, they just don’t do Bible class.

               Those who don’t do Bible class need to consider at least two verses from the Bible.  One involves the words of our Lord.  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  The other comes from the pen of the apostle Peter.  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2).  These verses teach us the importance of God’s Word in our lives, and our responsibility to desire the Word with great intensity.  Most brethren who refuse to come to Bible class are poor students of the Word at home as well.  Dear readers, it is imperative that we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).  Bible classes afford us an opportunity to grow and mature.

               There are others in the Lord’s body who don’t do Sunday evening worship services.  In some congregations, this number consists of half the membership.  This group reasons that the Sunday evening service is not commanded by God, therefore, they are under no obligation to attend.  Apparently, they have better things to do with their time on the Lord’s Day.  Worshipping God two times in one day is just too much.  They see no spiritual benefit in assembling with the saints for a second period of worship to God.

               The problem these individuals have is addressed by Jesus in Matthew 15:8.  “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”  The Lord’s Day is really only the Lord’s hour to these disciples.  Gladness does not fill their heart when it is said:  “Let us go up to the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1).  Spiritual food and rich fellowship does not energize these individuals.  Gratitude does not fill their soul, compelling them to bow before their Redeemer at every opportunity.  No, their hearts are far from God.  These brethren would be wise to consider the counsel of Hebrews 3:12:  “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”

               A third group in many congregations are those who don’t do any programs of the church.  These individuals are never part of a visitation team or involvement group.  The ladies of this group will never attend a ladies’ class or ladies’ day.  The men refuse to go to the men’s breakfast and men’s Bible study group.  They are absent when work days are scheduled.  They are not to be seen when door-knocking campaigns are conducted.  Workshops and seminars are a “no-no” to them.  They never stay for fellowship meals.  They have never attended a wedding, a shower, or a funeral involving one of their brothers or sisters in Christ.  The hospitals and nursing homes are off limits to them.  All these things are too demanding.  Their hectic schedules and busy lives will not allow such religious activity.

               This group has failed to realize that we have been called to be laborers in the Lord’s vineyard.  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard” (Matt. 20:1).  The requirement of a laborer is that he works.  The programs and activities of the church help the Christian to fulfill his obligation to work in the vineyard.  Church programs help us to discipline our time to accomplish some of the things God desires of us.  When understood in this light, participating in events and programs should bring us great joy.  The Lord wants us to always be doing.  “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath” (Luke 12:42-44).

               A maid might have the luxury of setting the guidelines of her job.  A Christian, on the other hand, does not.  When a person obeys the gospel of Christ, he submits himself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  He becomes a bondservant.  The Lord’s will is now his will.  He does not question.  He does not complain.  He does not rationalize and justify his lack of service.  He does not “beg off” his duties.  He does not sit idly on the sidelines.  His life is fully engaged in the Lord’s will until He comes.  “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:43).

  “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 22:1).  There are four elements of this verse that need to be considered by all:  The Drinks, The Dangers, The Deception, and The Deceived.

          Let’s begin by briefly examining “The Drinks.”  The drinks under consideration are referred to as “wine” (yayin) and “strong drink” (shekir).  Both of these drinks were beverages that contain alcohol.  This is very clear from the context.  Wine was less intoxicating than strong drink.  It shows that in Old Testament times intoxicating beverages came in numerous varieties.

          The same is true of alcoholic beverages today.  There are drinks that are considered to be less intoxicating:  beer, wine, and wine coolers.  Then, there is “strong drink” that involves such things as straight whiskey, rum, vodka, etc.  The amount of alcohol varies from drink to drink.  The point of the wise sage in Proverbs 20:1 is to alert individuals to the dangers of all intoxicating beverages.

          Next, the inspired penman sets forth “The Dangers” of alcoholic drinks.  The dangers are manifested in two words:  “mocker” and “raging.”  The word “mocker” means “to make mouths at.”  It involves mocking, scorning, and derision.  When all is said and done, wine sits back and laughs at those who use it.  The word “raging” means “to bring great commotion and tumult.”  It also carries the definition of “to be troubled” and “to be in an uproar.”  Strong drink stirs up one’s peaceful life.  It causes a person’s life to be tossed to and fro like a ship in the midst of a turbulent storm.

          As a person studies Bible history, he finds numerous examples wherein alcoholic beverages caused trouble for those who used them.  In Genesis 9:20-21, we read:  “And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:  and he drank of the wine, and was drunken and he was uncovered in his tent.”  His drunken state and physical appearance was not handled well by one of his sons.  Because of it, he was cursed by his father (Gen. 9:25).  As wine looked at this unfortunate circumstance, it laughed in derision.

          Another example of the dangers of intoxicating drinks is found in Genesis 19:30-38.  Lot and his daughters had fled from the destruction of Sodom and dwelled in a cave in a mountain.  The firstborn daughter was concerned about not having a child.  Thus, she and her sister developed a plan to have children by their father.  The plan involved getting Lot drunk.  While in his drunken stupor, the daughters would lie with him.   The plan worked.  Two sons were born to Lot’s daughters, Moab and Benammi.  These two sons produced the nations of Moab and Ammon, two idolatrous nations.  These nations would become a thorn in Israel’s side for years to come.  The wars, the temptations, and the struggles that Israel faced because of them prove that strong drink can rage through our lives like a hurricane rages through a small island in the midst of the sea.

          Many people in our society could attest to the serious dangers that alcohol has brought to their lives.

–      Homes have been broken by divorce

–      Wives have been abused

–      Children have been neglected and abused

–      Financial ruin

–      Damaged property

–      Crimes committed

–      Imprisonment

–      Death of innocent men, women, and children

–      Ruined health

–      Precious souls lost to a devil’s hell

Each one of the things listed above could be studied in great detail.  Statistics could be brought forth that would prove many times over that wine and strong drink have mocked millions and have stormed through the lives of countless multitudes like a tornado on a stormy night.

          Many individuals will not heed these warnings about the dangers of alcohol.  They like the taste of alcohol.  They like the initial effects of alcohol on their mind and body.  They like to associate with their friends and relatives who drink.  In their minds, they believe that none of the things we mentioned above will happen to them.  This is exactly what alcohol wants a person to believe.  The writer of Proverbs 20:1 is clear when he tells us that alcohol is “The Deceiver.”

          Jill was happily married to Craig for seven years.  They had a 4 year old daughter who was their gift from God.  Jill and Craig were Christians.  They seldom missed Bible class or worship services.  They were diligent workers within their congregation.  In fact, Craig was a deacon.

          Jill and Craig had a secret.  They both enjoyed social drinking.  From time to time, they would go to their friends’ houses and drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks.  If they went out for a nice dinner, drinks were always included on the tab.  They were convinced drinking would not harm them. 

          In time, Jill started to see some changes in Craig’s behavior.  He would come home later from work.  He would get up at night and be gone from bed for an hour or two.  On the weekends, Craig would slip off to his friends’ houses in order to have some “guy time.”  Slowly Craig became addicted to alcohol.  Jill discovered all of the avenues of his drinking problem.  She asked him to get help.  Craig refused.  Their relationship became strained and distant.  Craig eventually found himself in a relationship with a co-worker.  He divorced Jill.  He married the other woman.  He quit attending church services.  He sees his daughter every other week.  What Jill and Craig thought would never occur happened.  The storm of strong drink raged through their lives.  Devastation was left behind.  And, the liquor laughed at them both.

          Jill and Craig became part of a group of people called “The Deceived.”  The writer of Proverbs calls them “not wise.”  Another term that describes these individuals is “fools.”  The evils of alcohol are well known to them.  The containers of alcohol are well marked and labelled.  Yet, these individuals proceed to drink the dangerous liquid.  They continue to believe the lie that they can escape the storm of devastation created by intoxicants.  They, however, do not.  Their lives are ripped asunder by what they believed was harmless. 

My friend, if this is you, you are not wise.  Please give up your wine and strong drink before they make a fool out of you.  Give heed to the words of the apostle Paul found in Ephesians 5:18:  “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Truth has certain characteristics by which it can be identified.  Many skeptics of truth deny there is a “truth.”  Others say that we can know for sure.  However, consider what the Bible says about itself concerning truth:

1.     Truth is absolute.  2 John 1:9  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

2.     Truth is knowable.  Ephesians 5:17  “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”  John 8:30  “As he spake these words, many believed on him.”

3.     Truth is do-able.  Acts 6:7  “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”  Hebrews 10:36  “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

4.     Truth is synonymous with the word… John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.”

5.     Biblical truth is inspired.  2 Timothy 3:16-17  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

6.     Truth is beautiful because it produces a beautiful life.  1 Peter 3:10-12  “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

7.     Truth illuminates.  Psalms 119:105  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Hebrews 10:32  “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”

8.     Truth is militant.  Ephesians 6:17  “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

9.     Truth is objective, not subjective.  It came down from above. 1 Peter 1:12  “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

10.  Truth is final.  Jude 1:3  “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.”

Truth and error is not the same thing.  Error will never turn into truth no matter how many years pass.  Though error is practiced by many, it does not become truth by majority rule.  Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” (Matthew 7:13).  Error will die with its worshippers, while truth will yield is desired fruit, the salvation of mankind.  Let us heed every word of it.