When I was a teenager, there were "prizes" in bags of dog food. Not what you would think perhaps; and certainly not what you would desire. I was a box-boy at a local grocery store, and I remember the first time I ever had to call in sick. It nearly killed me. I had never done that before. The reason was my subject for today. My dad had hounds all the time I was growing up, and it was my job to feed them. As I dipped my trusty three pound coffee can into the fifty pound bag of Purina Dog Chow, a wasp of unknown origin stung me between the thumb and index finger. It didn't hurt any worse than previous stings I had enjoyed but it was either a "super wasp" or got me in just the right place, as my hand swelled beyond useful in a very short time, and I looked like I was perpetually hitch-hiking. So, have you ever been in the woods and come across a hornet's nest?  If you don't see it first, it will be something you never forget or, it could actually be fatal. I heard my friend Paul Thompson talk about this a week ago, and he asked some very good questions.  What do you do when you come across a hornet's nest? You can ignore it, leave it alone, but you aren't doing yourself or anyone else any favors.  You can throw a rock at it. (I don't recommend this in theory or practice). You can "flag" it; mark it somehow so others know it is there. This is a warning and sounds very noble at face value. The final option is to take steps to remove it. Let's turn the Spiritual Switch.  In today's application, the hornet's nest represents sin, and we all encounter it daily. It is in every avenue of life. Our kids are bombarded with it. We have become inoculated w/regard to sin. It is the un-popular role of an "Ambassador of Christ" to pick a response, so let's play. The first choice is undeniably the most popular. We ignore it  (sin).  "It's hasn't stung me yet, so I'm good".  The second option is to throw rocks at it. Pulpits are full of folks throwing rocks at sin every Sunday. It looks good, even heroic (if the shoe fits), but the fact is you may get a big stir; lots of reaction, but when the commotion (emotion) subsides, the threat is as real as ever.  We can (and should) warn everyone, but Oh boy does the world get tired of that one. You are just a Bible thumping moron till somebody gets stung, then you are a prophet. Folks don't think it will happen to them, or the risk is worth what they deem a reward. Some have been stung so often and for so long, they are almost immune to the effects. Their "hearts have been hardened"; their "consciences seared". Finally, and here is where it gets dicey, we can/must take steps to remove it. Remember, there is a large contingent of "wasp lovers" out there, who will persecute, demonize, prosecute, threaten and otherwise oppose all your efforts to eradicate the sin threat. No matter how loudly you cry: "This is dangerous", they will say: "no, it's good - it's natural, and we want it. Who are you to tell us to stay away?"
Application:   To ignore, throw rocks, merely mark or even just to warn is foolish, as it is to ignore the one true Living God. These people are called not only foolish (Proverbs) but are Pagan by definition.  What kind of nation would approve abortion?  A Pagan Nation.  What kind of nation would endeavor to redefine God's prescribed definition of marriage?  A Pagan Nation.  What kind of nation would dare argue with God and His order of things by saying "gender orientation"? What?  Who's doing the orienting?   A Pagan Nation. "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 2:32    So what then? Shall we ignore?  Shall we throw rocks?  Shall we not warn?  We'd better take steps to remove the sin before it's ever too late. This is called Repentance, and it starts with each of us.  God bless.