In the plant world, as well as the animal world, we must deal with parasites. Those pesky little organisms that live on a host and gain nutrients and life from it. One plant that has a reputation for being a nasty parasite is the Dodder plant.
This vine has very thin winding stems that have tiny leaves that are difficult to see. They are usually yellow or orange in color because they have very little green pigment. This pigment, chlorophyll, is essential in helping plants produce food through photosynthesis. Hence, unable to produce much food on its own, the dodder seeks out a host and entangles itself around the plant to tap into its supply of water and food. As the vine grows, the plant weakens, making the it susceptible to other diseases and pests. Dodders are annuals and will die back each year at the first frost, but to ensure survival of the next generation of parasitic plants, they are prolific seeders. More seeds, more dodders, more trouble.
Other names for this plant include devil’s hair, devil’s ringlet, strangle weed, and witch’s hair. Appropriate nicknames, for when I heard about this plant, the first thing I thought about was the devil. After all, the schemes of the devil can intertwine around our lives, weakening our ability to be effective Christians.
Oh, some people think the devil is not real, just a silly made up story, but that is not what the Bible says.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Just as the little dodder seedling will seek out a host, Satan is seeking you out, too. He is a consistent liar, persistent in trying to keep us busy and away from pursuing a relationship with our Lord. Robbing us of joy and hope, he prowls in and out of our daily lives so that if we listen to his deception and buy into his trickery, we will believe that God does not love us or want us.
But we know the truth.
Our God is for us. He is all powerful, all present, all knowing. Before the world was ever created, He knew that we would need help to thwart this enemy. So, He has given us words to help us resist that liar and stand firm in the faith.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:11-12 (and following)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7-8
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Need more? Study the Bible. The words will help you be an overcomer. It can’t be just a quick fix, though. I used to find myself overcome with deception and then I would run to the Bible, dig deep, and soon find myself sitting pretty. But a few months later, I would be back in the same predicament, mostly because I put my Bible down and didn’t commit myself to continuous reading. Stick with it. The dodder plant does! It is a tenacious, determined parasite!
When the thermometer drops below 32°, dodders die. One day, Jesus will throw Satan into the lake of fire and sulfur (Revelation 20:10), but until that day, we must daily defeat him. Be tenacious and determined to resist the devil, and you will find that you are a conqueror through Christ who strengthens each and every minute of the day.
Heavenly Father,
You are Sovereign and nothing is impossible with you. Let me always rest in your shadow and know that you are my refuge and my fortress forever. As I walk daily with you, give me wisdom and discernment to help me resist the enemy. Help me draw near to you, and I know you will draw near to me.
Amen
