By Charles Yeakel
“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off afoul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes l 0:1)
If you were to go to the pharmacy, purchase ointment, and then open it and find a dead fly, you would certainly return your purchase. If you went to the restaurant and found a fly in your soup doing the backstroke, or a roach snuggled between your pancakes, it would surely ruin your meal. In the same way, “a little folly” can deter what God wants to do when we get together for church. The way you and I conduct ourselves in the house of God can either help or hinder the progress of the church.
In the interest of unity and brotherhood, let us make sure that we could not be labeled as one of the following “church bugs.”
GLITTERBUG — This type of person wants to impress others by dazzling them with appearance. There is often competition to outdo others; “Pentecostal peacocks.’ strutting their stuff The Apostle Paul instructs us with these words: “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Glitterbug is so dazzled by her beauty that she fails to see the glory of Christ. If each believer would prepare their spirit for church like they prepare their appearance, we would have an awesome service!
LITTERBUG — It is easy to tell where litterbug has been — gum and candy wrappers, bits of paper, fingernail clippings, and used tissues ark the spot. If each person would look around where they sit and pick up after themselves, it would make the janitor’s (and sometimes the pastor’s) job a little easier. Reverence God’s house!
JITTERBUG — Jitterbug has a bad case of the jitters; he squirms, moves around, and makes several unnecessary trips to the restroom during the course of a service. In the process, he becomes a distraction to others. If he would just settle down and get his – mind on God, he would actually enjoy church!
FRITTERBUG — Fritterbug is a similar species to Jitterbug. She fritters away the time at church by looking out the window, drawing pictures, writing notes (unrelated to the service), thumbing through a book, manicuring her nails, or tinkering with her cell phone. I ler mind is a million miles away — no wonder that when she prays, God seems very distant.
CIIATTERBUG–Chatterbug visits with others before church, after church, and during church — during the singing, praying, and preaching. Does the Bible say anything about this bug? Oh, yes! “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1)s
As with all these bugs, most of the time the problem is not deliberate, but it still is noticed by the congregation, the pastor (sometimes), and God (all the time).
FLITTER BUG — Flitterbug is ready to fly away at the slightest provocation. This person does not land very long in one place. They fulfill the prophecy of Daniel 12, “running to and fro.” One pastor called them “90-day wonders” – they stay at one church for 90 days and then you wonder where they will go next. Discontent is the main culprit here. You may think the grass is greener on the other side but if you will lay down and learn to be content, your grass will get green as well!
BITTERBUG — The scowl on his face and the chip on his shoulder says, “I’m miserable!” Bitterness is produced by continuing to suck on the lemon rinds of yesterday’s negative experiences. Be careful around a Bitterbug lest you be bitten! “Looking carefully lest anyone full short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15)
The above article, “Church Bugs,” is written by Charles Yeakel. The article was excerpted from Illinois District News.
The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.
