The word parasite causes one to cringe. When we think of a parasite we think of intestinal worms, or ticks and leeches, or some other unpleasant critters living where they should not.
What is a parasite?
There are two definitions.
1) An animal or plant that lives in, or on, another (the host from which it draws nourishment). The host does not benefit from the association and is often harmed by it as the parasite contributes nothing for the survival of its host. The damage they do ranges widely from minor inconvenience to debilitating, or fatal, disease.
There are two types of these parasites. There are ectoparasites that live and feed on the outer surface of the host, like a leech, and do not usually cause disease themselves; but they can act as vector, as in the case of ticks, which transmit the organisms that cause disease. Then there are endoparasites, such as tapeworms, that live within the host’s organisms and tissues, which can cause more damage. Some of these require a vector to carry them within the host.
2) Cultural parasites: These are persons who take advantage of other people and fail to offer anything in return. Or, in other words, a person who receives support from others without giving anything useful or proper in return; one who habitually lives at the expense and hospitality of others.
We will consider the first definition initially in this article, and then the second.
In the religious world, we can say there are spiritual parasites. Modern day Christianity has developed many Christian Parasites.
“Satan has wrought with deceiving power, bringing in a multiplicity of errors that obscure truth. Error could not stand alone, and would soon become extinct, if it did not fasten itself like a parasite upon the tree of truth. Error draws its life from the truth of God. The traditions of men, like floating germs, attach themselves to the truth of God, and men regard them as a part of the truth. Through false doctrines Satan gains a foothold, and captivates the minds of men, causing them to hold theories that have no foundation in truth. Men boldly teach for doctrines the commandments of men, and as traditions pass on from age to age, they acquire a power over the human mind. But age does not make error truth, neither does its burdensome weight cause the plant of truth to become a parasite. The tree of truth bears its own genuine fruit, showing its true origin and nature. The parasite of error also bears its own fruit, and makes manifest that its character is diverse from the plant of heavenly origin.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1094–1095
In Old Testament times, there were really only two basic religious groups. The pagan religions and the Israelites who served the true God. In the time of Christ, there were the Jews and the Gentiles. It was not difficult to make a decision. To serve the true and living God meant to join the Jewish nation. After the resurrection, the Christian religion emerged, adding a third. Now there were two religious groups that claimed to serve the true and living God and believe in the Bible as it was written at that time.
Since that time, down through the ages, and especially after the Dark Ages, Satan found more success in developing multiple Christian churches, most of who teach much truth with parasites of error attached. For error to stand and grow as a parasite, it needs the living Word of God to grow on. “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1. Spiritual parasites are growing, each with its own false theories that they are extracting from the living Word of God; claiming to serve God, but in their own way. There is a Christian church to suit almost every lifestyle imaginable, and if one cannot find one, they can create a new one and they will find followers.
“While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God’s word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.” –The Great Controversy, p. 527. And yet they derive their beliefs from the living word of God—the Bible. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
The enemy does his best to pervert the truth by giving half-truths. That way people have a difficult time discerning what is right and what is wrong. People who do not know God’s Word actually have half-truths in their mind. When one learns and applies the rightly divided Word of God in a renewed mind effort, they begin to acquire the whole truth.
“Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. . . . Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path.” –Evangelism, p. 590
While we acknowledge that false doctrines in Christian churches are like parasites, is it possible for the members in God’s church to become spiritual parasites?
There have been members in the past who have come out with fanciful theories that do not agree with the written word of God or the Spirit of Prophecy. Then there are others who go and teach and preach contrary to the decisions made by the General Conference assembly where the angels of God are directing the decisions. These persons are considered parasites, and after a time end up separating from God’s church. As a leech or tick is extracted from the body, these members that are causing damage to the host are eventually removed, whether by the church (Matthew 18:15–17) or by God Himself. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
And then we have a variety of standards on what some view as minor issues, like dressing and eating. While some believe you must adhere to a strict vegan diet, others believe that as long as you abstain from eating meat, you can choose to eat what you wish, regardless of the amount of sugar and preservatives. This second view is a parasitic truth and the person will either be led to greater truth, extracting the parasite, or the parasite will destroy them with ill health.
Not only false doctrines that are taught are considered parasites to the truth, we can also say that sin itself in any form that is practiced is a parasite. “If one sin is cherished in the soul, or one wrong practice retained in the life, the whole being is contaminated. The man becomes an instrument of unrighteousness.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 313
The trouble with sin is, it is easy to fall into, but it is much more difficult to extract. As a parasite, it is easy to have a tick or leech attach to you, but the extraction process is a little more difficult. The guinea worm found in central Africa is the worst. It enters the human host through contaminated drinking water. The worms poke holes in the human’s intestine and go for a swim. After about one year a full-grown guinea worm is the width of a paper clip wire and up to three feet long. It begins to move through the body of its human host, causing tremendous pain. Finally, the worm pokes out of the host’s body—often through the foot. Once the worm exposes itself, it can only be removed a few centimeters a day. Otherwise the worm will pull apart and die, resulting in infection and possibly death for its host. Sometimes the painful process takes weeks.
Sin is easy to get involved in. Just like drinking the water from a stream seems simple and harmless, so often does sin; but sin is difficult to get rid of once it has taken hold. When sin “pokes its head” out of our lives, and we recognize it has to be dealt with, we should act. Forgiveness comes quickly, but many times the process of getting free from its pull is slow and agonizing. However, like the guinea worm, sin, when left unchecked, it can kill you. Some people think they will sin a little and then will give it up any time they want to. One person told me marijuana is not addicting like cigarettes and can be given up any time a person chooses, while cigarettes cause a physical addiction and are difficult to overcome. I am not so sure this is the case. Sin in any form is not given up without a struggle. It is best not to let the parasite inside in the first place.
There are ectoparasites—sins that are clearly visible, such as diet and dress. I often think of this statement, “You should never let a morsel pass your lips between your regular meals. Eat what you ought, but eat it at one meal, and then wait until the next.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 180. And then I think of “Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Hebrews 12:16. How many are willing to exchange their salvation for one morsel?
Gossip is another ectoparasite that needs a host to survive. One who keeps on spreading gossip is a host for this parasite. The person doing the speaking is receiving the greater harm and will have his/her spiritual life force eaten up if the parasite is not removed.
There are many visible sinful practices that seem mild, but are eating out the life force of a person’s spirituality. You are growing or dying in every action you do. With every action and thought, each one should “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Ask yourself if this action is bringing you closer to Jesus or is it driving you further away. Is it a parasite that is killing you?
Then there are the endoparasites. These are parasites that cannot be seen. They are “the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. “The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin. A man may be a law-breaker in heart; yet if he commits no outward act of transgression, he may be regarded by the world as possessing great integrity. But God’s law looks into the secrets of the heart. Every act is judged by the motives that prompt it. Only that which is in accord with the principles of God’s law will stand in the judgment.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 316
It is better to avoid sin in the first place. Leave those people who tempt you and do not spend your spare time with them. “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Proverbs 1:10
In the time of Christ, we read of the demoniacs who were demon possessed (Matthew 8:28–33). Demons are spiritual parasites that want to attach themselves to us and suck spiritual life from us. Left to their own vices, they will weaken us and make life needlessly unpleasant. They are the spiritual equivalent of physical parasites, such as the tapeworm or hookworm. The reasoning ability of these men was eventually destroyed by the parasites of the demons. “Whenever men reject the Saviour’s invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 341. Notice how it mentions that there are some in the home, business, and in church who are yielding to Satan. Satan is especially wanting to attack and attach to those in the church. He wants to be a parasite on you. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24–26. The parasite being extracted leaves a vacancy, and if it is not filled with healthy tissue, the parasite will return.
“Can we not understand that the most costly thing in the world is sin? It is at the expense of purity of conscience, at the cost of losing the favour of God and separating the soul from Him, and at last losing heaven. The sin of grieving the Holy Spirit of God and walking contrary to Him has cost many a one the loss of his soul.” –Faith and Works, p. 17
One sin cherished will defile the soul in the same manner as one drop of ink will colour an entire basin of water. “One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 312. “One cherished sin will, little by little, debase the character, bringing all its nobler powers into subjection to the evil desire. The removal of one safeguard from the conscience, the indulgence of one evil habit, one neglect of the high claims of duty, breaks down the defenses of the soul and opens the way for Satan to come in and lead us astray.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 114
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1–2
When you conform to this world, you are relinquishing yourself to become a host for a parasite, which is the devil and his spirits. It is that simple. Unless you know the Word of God, you are actually under the control and influence of the devil and his spirits most of the time. You need to understand that the adversary (devil) cannot stand the light. The light of God’s Word dispels darkness and also makes manifest darkness. As we dwell in the light, the powers of darkness flee.
It is possible for Christians to also become parasites themselves—ectoparasites. They attach themselves to teachers, parents, ministers and church leaders. They do not make an experience for themselves. Many times in missionary work I have met Christians and when you bring them the truth they have no answer. All they can say is, “I will consult with my church leader and get back to you.” They do not know for themselves. We also cannot depend on our church leaders. They are there to guide us and direct us; yes, but we must make our own experience. We will have to be able to answer for ourselves. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15. These types of people can suck the energy out of missionaries who should be devoting their time to searching for new souls to study with, not “baby sitting” the church members.
Now, considering our definition number 2 of a parasite at the beginning of the article, we read, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
“The Word of God is plain and distinct upon this point of labour. No man or woman who is converted to God can be anything but a worker.” –This Day With God, p. 33. “None who are able to labour should be taught to expect food and clothing and shelter free of cost. For their own sake, as well as for the sake of others, some way should be devised whereby they may return an equivalent for what they receive. Encourage every effort toward self-support. This will strengthen self-respect and a noble independence. And occupation of mind and body in useful work is essential as a safeguard against temptation.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 177. This includes young children and teenagers also. They need to be taught that they have duties to perform in the household. They are not to be parasites, living off their parents, while giving nothing in return. Adults who are healthy definitely should be working to provide for themselves. “The Bible does not acknowledge a believer who is idle, however high his profession may be. There will be employment in heaven. The redeemed state is not one of idle repose. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God, but it is a rest found in loving service.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1164
This principle also applies to the spiritual life. As previously mentioned, we cannot become a parasite on our church leaders and missionaries; so “The same rule applies to our spiritual nourishment; if any would have the bread of eternal life, let him make efforts to obtain it.” –Faith and Works, p 49. Take time to study for yourself.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
By thinking only on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, we can overcome the parasites. It may seem like a lot and it takes work to renew your mind to many of these Biblical principles. But, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Anything that is sucking the life force out of your spirituality is a parasite and needs to be extracted. It can be your work which leaves you no time for spiritual pursuits. It may be your entertainments which take your time and thoughts away from God. It may be your thoughts. It may be something apparently good, but it is detracting from your spiritual growth and private time with the Lord. These are parasites that must be removed or they will kill you.
Take each day as it comes, and, at the end of the day, make an account of the time you spent serving yourself—feeding a potential parasite. At the end of the day is your life closer to God than it was in the morning? May God help each of you readers here to grow day by day, keeping yourselves pure and clean from this world so that you will not be infected by any parasites that are seeking to destroy you. Amen.
Wendy Eaton