“Do not feed the alligators” is not exactly a sign that one expects to see on lands owned and operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). However, if you are visiting the John C. Stennis Space Center located in Mississippi and Louisiana on the Gulf Coast, it is a sign that’s visible at the main tourist area. The sign says just what it means – do not feed the alligators. The sign states that alligators that are fed actually become dangerous to humans and must be destroyed to keep the area safe. The simple message of this sign has some profound teachings; do not feed the alligators!
Do not feed the alligators
An alligator is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as either of two crocodilians (Alligator mississippiensis of the southeastern United States and A. sinensis of China) having broad heads not tapering to the snout and a special pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth. Living in Louisiana from 1993 to about 2000, I became familiar with these animals especially as I travelled along the Louisiana coast visiting historical sites. While touring the Chalmette Battlefield, a person with the state’s Fish and Wildlife Service told our group of tourists that in the water, alligators had been known to take down cattle and even men. She even went into how by feeding the alligators, we actually can encourage them to see us as a source of food and they will lose all natural fear that most animals hold towards humankind. Just as the sign at the NASA center stated, she also told us “do not feed the alligators!”
For most people, when they think of an alligator, they think of the viciousness of their attacks and their strong jaws and sharp teeth. Alligators are strong animals that are not meant to be fooled around with. Each of us actually has some spiritual alligators we deal with frequently. If we are honest with ourselves, these alligators are the temptations that really appeal to our flesh and more often than we’d like, we actually yield to those sins. The apostle John warns us when we fail to admit we still keep that fleshly nature to sin: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). In order for us to avoid feeding the alligators we must admit the alligators are present and near us. Just as NASA didn’t post this warning sign in the middle of the parking lot but near where alligators are often seen, we must be aware of where our alligators are and make sure we don’t feed them. Even the apostle James warns us to be aware of these temptations in our life and to understand that we all are tempted and no one is exempt: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1:14-15).
My pastor has a saying that Christians have two natures – a fleshly nature and a godly nature and the one that’s the strongest is the one you feed the most. There is a lot of wisdom behind that statement. Jesus warned His disciples as they could not resist sleeping when they were asked to pray: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Jesus was warning his disciples not to feed the alligators in their lives. Each of us have fleshly temptations that we have to fight each day. Jesus offered the advice to watch and pray – to be aware of those sins. Elsewhere in the Bible we are told to avoid them: Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away (Proverbs 4:14-15); and to pray to be delivered from the temptations: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matthew 6:13). In other words, do not feed the alligators!
What are the spiritual alligators?
If you’re unsure of what a spiritual alligator is, it is the sin that we struggle with on a daily basis. I will be the first to tell you that it is difficult to admit that I, as a Christian struggle with temptations and sins on a daily basis. Since 2006, I have learned what those temptations are and I’ve learned that when I am faced with them I must call upon the Lord and I must avoid creating an opportunity for myself to yield to that temptation. I cannot yield to those temptations and sin – feed the alligators – and expect the Lord to be pleased with me and to be able to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. There something else about the spiritual alligators – when we do feed them they come back. Not only do they come back, but they come back even hungrier and more determined to cause us to yield to them. When we feed these spiritual alligators, we begin to feel guilt towards actually yielding to the temptation. If we do not immediately repent and turn from our sin, we begin to distance ourselves from the Lord. I know in my own life when I have fed the spiritual alligators it has always affected my prayer life, church attendance, and even my daily Bible reading. I even find it difficult and uncomfortable to fellowship with other Christians until I have confessed my sins and have asked the Lord to forgive me.
