The Danger of Stagnation
The writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 6:1-3) is telling us that there is more to learn. There is always room to grow; none of us have arrived. We should strive to be better in everything we do. There is a river of living waters within us that must continue to flow. John 7:37-38 tells us,
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (ESV)
Stagnated waters are simply filthy; it is not a pretty sight and is not a pleasant smell. To said it best, stagnated waters are dangerous. These are some of the bacteria that grows in stagnated waters,
- Botulism: Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves.[1]
- Campylobacteriosis: is an infection by the Campylobacter bacterium, most commonly C. jejuni. It is among the most common bacterial infections of humans, often a foodborne illness. It produces an inflammatory, sometimes bloody, diarrhea or dysentery syndrome, mostly including cramps, fever and pain.[2]
- Cholera: An infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies and causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.[3]
- Dysentery: is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea.[1][8] Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation.[2][9][5] Complications may include dehydration.[3][4]
- E. coli infection: E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. However, some types of E. coli, particularly E. coli O157:H7, can cause intestinal infection. E. coli O157:H7 and other strains that cause intestinal sickness are called Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) after the toxin that they produce. Symptoms of intestinal infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. More severe cases can lead to bloody diarrhea, dehydration, or even kidney failure. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, young children, and older adults are at increased risk for developing these complications. Most intestinal infections are caused by contaminated food or water. Proper food preparation and good hygiene can greatly decrease your chances of developing an intestinal infection.[5]
- M. marinum: Mycobacterium marinum is a slow growing mycobacterium (SGM) belonging to the genus Mycobacterium and the phylum Actinobacteria.[1] The strain marinum was first identified by Aronson in 1926 and it is observed as a pathogenic mycobacterium.[2] For example, tuberculosis like infections in fish (mycobacteriosis) and skin lesions in humans.[2][6]
- Aquarium Granuloma: The M. marinum skin infection is relatively nonspecific in clinical presentation. Therefore, more common skin conditions including cellulitis, foreign body reaction, skin cancer, and fungal or parasitic infections, are often explored first.[7]
- Legionnaires: Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a) bacteria. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water or accidently swallow water containing Legionella into the lungs.[8]
I took the time to mentioned all these diseases related to stagnated waters because, spiritually speaking, it is the same thing that happen to us. We can’t mature with all these spiritually diseases wrap around our soul. We can’t think right, we can’t make the right decisions, therefore, we become emotionally unstable.
There is a cry for us to grow up at this hour. Bible verses such as 2 Corinthians 10:6, “And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” (NIV) And, James 4:17 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (NIV) serve as foundational for any deliverance ministry and, as foundational for our growth.
To be continue…
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/index.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campylobacteriosis
[3] https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/cholera
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysentery
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/e-coli-infection
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycobacterium_marinum
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