Jesus taught numerous lessons from nature—fish, sheep, goats, fig trees, soil, seeds, wheat, and weeds. Loving the outdoors, I’ve taken His example and always sought to find lessons and spiritual applications in nature. All my life I’d heard funny stories and horror tales about polecats. Eventually I learned this was the colloquial term for a skunk. They were rare in our part of the state so I’d never seen one until my wife and I moved where they were common. One afternoon sitting in my deer-stand, one stopped just below the tree I had climbed. They weren’t huge scary monsters like the tales portrayed them. They were actually cute. This one decided to play and make a whole lot of noise in the leaves where I was trying to spot a deer. I had driven past enough dead ones, run over by cars, to know no tale-teller ever exaggerated about their offensive odor. I didn’t want to kill it but despite how cute and harmless it appeared, I knew not to throw a stick to chase it off. That would only scare it and put it in a defensive mode with the ability to spray its stink up to ten feet. Neither was I going to get down, try dialoguing with it, and request it to please leave. I knew the best thing I could do was leave it alone.
What’s the lesson here I asked myself? The bit of wisdom I came up with, you can’t dialogue with a polecat. As I continued in my Christian journey, sadly I encountered people who acted just like skunks. They appeared nice but I soon realized like the skunk they would stink on you. I wondered if my homespun insight from nature applied to people. I found my answer in the Bible. Actually, the scriptures command us with strong words in the original language to stay away from certain people. Note a few of the examples. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him (2Th 3:14). I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one (1Co 5:11). Avoid such men as these (2Ti 3:5). Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life . . . (2Th 3:6)—that’s a straight forward command.
In my early naiveté as one who knew little about the Bible and was falsely taught I kept my salvation through works, I later discovered other teachings not grounded in scripture. One was the application of this verse, which applies here. Pursue peace with all men . . . without which no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14). I often heard preachers use this verse and teach that unless you are in a wonderful relationship with everybody you know that you might not go to heaven. I tried heeding to this incorrect application resulting in a lot of failure, hurt, and guilt. Finally, I found that Paul adds clarity: If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18). In other words, we are to do everything possible to live at peace with people. However, all of us know some people with whom it is impossible to establish a peaceful relationship. It is better, just to avoid them.
The above scriptures listing individuals, who we are to avoid, live in obvious sin. Yet, Satan can use people in a more subtle way to bring us harm. After Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, five times his enemies proposed a meeting making it appear they wanted to talk (dialogue) and work out a compromise. Nehemiah knew this was a plot to harm him. He avoided them each time. Satan also works through individuals who know our weaknesses and deliberately strive to frustrate us until we fail. They enjoy seeing this happen. Do not associate with them.
This does not mean we are unkind or say hateful things about them. Rather we pray for them but avoid them as much as possible. Neither does it mean we avoid everyone who is just difficult to be around. God may use us as a positive witness or He may use them to help us grow spiritually. We ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to recognize the difference between those who we can help and those who do not want help but only strive to tear us down.
I’ve had this thought in my mind for a long time but didn’t want to write about it. At times, I feel alone in particular challenges, yet I’ve learned through the years when I teach or write on these subjects, other people struggle with the same issues, afraid to admit it, and live in guilt. Not yet knowing the scriptures, they continually try establishing peaceful relationships, but repeatedly get ‘stinked’ on. This affects them and those around them who must live with their stink. Our responsibility is as far as it depends on us, to be at peace, and if we can’t, leave them to God.
A veterinarian can remove the scent glands of a young skunk and people keep them as pets. However, a professional has to perform the procedure—not something, we can do. I can’t fix some people, only God can remove their spiritual scent glands. It is best to avoid those who Satan uses to provoke you to stumble—let God do His work.
Sustaining Word for the Week: You can’t dialogue with a polecat. If you keep getting ‘stinked’ on, remember that God commands us to avoid some people. You can’t fix them; let the Holy Spirit do His work; and stop feeling guilty.