I think that fleas are overrated. We have flea markets, flea sprays, flea circuses and even our dogs and cats have fleas. There are over 2,000 different species of this little parasite in the world. A few weeks ago our church was infested with what seemed like millions of the little vermin. I was beside myself. I thought, “People have enough problems in their lives; they don’t need to come to Church and get another one!”

I remember the story of a little boy who was listening to his Sunday School teacher tell the story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As she told the class that the Angels of the Lord commanded Lot to get his wife and daughters and flee from the city, the children listened intently. When the sun rose, Lot and his family escaped but his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. The little boy’s hand shot up and the teacher asked him what his question was. “Well, ma’am,” he said with concern. “I’m glad that they escaped, but what happened to the flea?”

Yes, indeed, what happened to the fleas? I called the exterminator on Saturday and all the fleas were dead by Saturday night; or so we thought. About a week and a half later someone discovered that the fleas were thriving again in the basement. I called the exterminator back and we went to the basement. He had missed the supply closet when he sprayed the first time so the fleas that were living in there survived. If I wouldn’t have called him back, the church would still have fleas. And, given enough time, they would have infested the church again. The exterminator apologized that he missed the closet in the first place but I told him that it was quite understandable; the closet was so small. Nevertheless, the fleas survived in there and would have caused us problems down the road if they were not completely destroyed.

You know, that little flea problem is a lot like that “little” sin problem that has infested the world. When a person gives their life over to Jesus, He forgives them of all their sin; even the sin that they are unaware of; sin that has infested and taken over their lives. Sin that makes people think the way they think and do the things they do. Paul didn’t blame the devil for making him do the things he didn’t want to do; he blamed sin. (Ro.7:20)

Sure, we remove from our lives those big obvious sins such as lust, drunkenness, swearing, and fornication. There are just certain things that you don’t do as a Christian. But what about those “little sins” that we had acquired over the years that lie hidden in the supply closets of our hearts; sins like pride, anger, envy and greed. Apathy is a sin that lies in the supply closet of the heart. Doesn’t the Bible say, to him that knows to do good but doesn’t, to him that is sin? Homosexuality was the last straw for Sodom. Their sin began with arrogance, gluttony and lack of concern (apathy).

When we give our lives to Christ we should allow Him the freedom to every space in our hearts to circumcise every little sin that can bring us trouble down the road. This is why David said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” And again, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”

You know, I tried to fix the flea problem at church by myself. I wasn’t capable enough and I didn’t have the right stuff; so I called the exterminator and he was able to eradicate the little buggers. It is the same with the little sins that hide in our lives. We are not capable within ourselves to completely eradicate our sin, we need the Exterminator of sin and I only know of One. So, who you gonna call?


Have a great week!
Pastor Jim