Alligator Etiquette

The Brazos Bend State Park in Texas is a wilderness park where alligators roam freely. Upon entering the park, all visitors are given a set of rules entitled Alligator Etiquette. There are some spiritual lessons that can be learned by examining these rules.

1. Reactions to the rules.

A. Park rules - Tossed into the trash, thrown onto the dashboard to read later, read but not strictly followed, or read & obeyed.

B. God's rules - Completely ignored, put off until later & never get around to it, read but not strictly followed, or read & obeyed.

The parable of the soils in Mt. 13 shows the different reactions to God's word.

• Acts 2:37- Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
• Acts 2: 41-Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
• Acts: 7:54 -When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
• Acts 8:6; - And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
• Acts 17:32-34- And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
• Acts 24:25- And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
• Acts 26:28- Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian
• Rev. 1:3 - "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it."

2. Reasons for following rules.

The rules contain both positive & negative reasons for following them.  

A. Park rules.

·         1. Positive reasons - So that one may enjoy the park while viewing alligators in their natural habitat, being able to leave & return another day.

·         2. Negative reasons - Fines and avoiding serious injury to yourself or loved one.

B. God's rules.

·         1. Deut. 6:24-25 - Positive reasons: " ." For our good always, preserved, righteousness.

·         2. 2 Thes. 1:8-9 - Negative reasons: " ." Flaming fire of vengeance, everlasting destruction, separated from God & His glory.

3. Absolutely do not feed or annoy the alligators!

Remember, alligators are wild animals.  

A. The park officials know the potential danger of alligators and warn visitors.

·         The Alligator Etiquette sheet reminds visitors that they are in the alligator's world and that the rules are given for the good of all concerned.

·         Many of us want to see how close we can get to danger without suffering.

·         Would we feed or annoy the alligators?

B. God knows the danger of Satan & sin and warns us.

·         Job 1:7 - "And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.""

·         1 Pet 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

·         Rom 12:9 - "Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."

·         1 Th 5:22 - "Abstain from every form of evil."

We must stay away from sin. It is much more dangerous than any alligator!

4. Speak to those violating the rules or contact a park ranger immediately.  

A. Why would the park officials want you to speak to someone violating the rules?

·         They may not know the rules.

·         For their safety.

·         The park officials do not want anyone to get hurt, even if they must offend them.

B. If someone was about to be attacked by an alligator, would you warn them?

·         If you did not, and they were killed, would you be partly responsible?

C. If someone is drifting to their death in sin, will you warn them?  

God says we are held responsible when we fail to warn others 

Ezek 3:17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:

·         When we fail to warn & discipline those who are in sin, God holds us accountable.

·         How long would we allow an alligator to attack someone before we took action?

·         How long do we allow Satan to attack someone before we take action?

·         We sit back and hope that some will mature or grow out of their sin.

·         Would we sit back and hope they matured out of an alligator's jaws?

Their chances are better with the alligator than they are with the devil.

5. If you love your pet, keep it on a leash.

• The park officials are saying that to let your pet run free is to show a lack of love for it.
• What chance would a poodle have against an alligator? The same is true when we let our children run free.
• What chance do our children have against the devil? Our children need guidance, boundaries, & discipline to help them survive against Satan.
  • Prov. 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."
  • 19:18 - "Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction."  
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 - "Evil company corrupt good habits."
    • If we love them, we need to restrain our children from hanging out with certain people.
    • If we love our children, we will keep them on a leash.

6. Do not assume alligators are slow-moving or sluggish. 

Alligators normally look like slow, lazy animals that we could easily outrun. 

But looks are deceiving, because an alligator can outrun a man at short distances.  

Satan deceives us in much the same way.

• He makes things look differently than they really are.
  • Gen. 3 - Satan begins his life of deception by deceiving Eve.
  • Jn. 8:44;    You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
  • Satan will use friends & family, 1 Tim. 2:14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression
  • alcohol, sexual desires, false teachers, riches, pride, etc. to deceive us.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33; Do not be deceived :"Evil company corrupts good habits."
  • Matt 7:15-16   "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.
  • Luke 21:8-9  "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.
  • Obad 3-4 The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?' Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down," says the LORD.
  • Col 2:8-9  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 6:18 - "Flee sexual immorality" and all other sin. Do not be deceived by it.
  • 1 Cor 10:12 - "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
• Satan's deception is worse than any alligator, and so are the consequences.

7. If you hook a fish, an alligator may go after your catch.

Satan will go after a new convert.  

We refer to new converts as babes in Christ.

 Would we leave a newborn baby to fend for itself?

 Do we ever leave a newborn Christian in such a situation?

 Satan is waiting!

8. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
 

Why is the park worried if those visiting have a drink? There's no harm in a drink or two, is there?  

Anytime we engage in something that involves good sound judgment we are told to abstain from alcohol.

• "Don't drink & drive."
• To avoid being easy prey for date rape, girls are told not to drink on a date.
• Pr. 23:29-32   Who has woe?   Who has sorrow?  Who has contentions?  Who has complaints?  Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?  Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.  Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup,  When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.
• 1 Th. 5:22 - "Abstain from every form of evil."

Those who are attacked by an alligator and are fortunate enough to live will probably have some permanent reminder,

Maybe a scar, a missing limb, a limp, etc.

Sin works the same way.

While we can receive forgiveness, we must live with the consequences.

Always remember 1 Pet 5:8 –

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

If we obey the park's rules we can safely leave the alligator's world, just as we can leave Satan's world if we obey God's rules.