The Unseen Killer

The unseen killer

"Charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith."

1Timothy 1:3,4

An assassin's bullet did not kill James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States. Something more covert was at work that brought the man to death’s door and beyond. It was an unseen evil that still plagues mankind, a silent killer of sorts. The tragic shooting, that transpired on July 2nd, 1881, shocked the nation. Garfield was leaving to join his wife for a vacation when he was shot in the back at a Washington, DC train station. Charles Guiteau was eventually hung for his crime, but it is generally agreed that the shot was non-fatal. The bullet ricocheted within Garfield’s body eventually landing harmlessly behind his spleen. If the wound had been simply bandaged, he would have recovered. It was common in those days for Civil War veterans to carry the reminders of war in their body. Looking back over Garfield’s death a dawning realization sickened the country. The result of the autopsy revealed a silent killer, one that no one expected.

Living in that era was a man named Dr. Joseph Lister, who pioneered the study of antiseptic practices. His research into the sterilization of surgical tools by the use of carbolic acid was initially ridiculed and rejected by the medical community. Additionally, he was scorned for presenting the ridiculous notion that germs actually caused infections. How could something that they could not see be of any consequence. At the time, surgical tools were simply washed and dried as if they were the evening dishes. Hands, if washed at all, were uncovered as the doctor cut into his patients. Fighting against the ignorance of the day, Lister finally pushed through his discoveries and changed medicine forever.

James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States

Lister’s research has saved the lives of millions by staving off infectious diseases through sterile instruments and clean operating rooms. He had to face fierce opposition to promote his findings, but he was persistent. Ignorance dies a slow death where men are arrogant, even in the light of a new day.  What the good doctor did for medicine the truth of Scripture has done for the spiritual life.

                  When the aging Apostle Paul gave final instructions to his young protege Timothy, he encouraged him to study the scriptures with diligence. His admonition was to, “rightly divide the Word.” (2 Timothy 2:15) The Greek word used means to make something smooth and straight by cutting it down the middle. Timothy was told to teach the Word directly and correctly. The eternal salvation of his hearers and the possession of a growing, liberating Christian life were at stake. Paul explains, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:10) The Apostle was not just referring to people coming to Christ but to their subsequent walk of victory and usefulness in the kingdom.

Jesus taught that without Him we can do nothing, and so, any teaching that casts the Christian back on his own efforts creates an infection in faith. President Garfield died of rampant infection that had spread throughout his body. The sepsis that killed him began the day he was shot when the doctors who attended him plunged their fingers into his wound to find the bullet. What followed was a series medically tragic decisions that cost the man his life all involving unsanitary practices. The doctors, primarily Dr. D. Willard Bliss would not listen to science. Truly, as one journalist of the day commented, “ignorance was bliss.”

It matters what we believe. Spiritual infection begins the day we believe something contrary to the Bible. Any teaching that puts the onus back on the believer to perform is to be rejected. We don't love the world less because we're loving Jesus more, we are dead to the world and alive to God. The Christian life can only be lived out of the life of Christ within, everything else brings spiritual septicity, and so, the question to be asked is, “how many roaches do you want in your sweet tea?”  How many bad doctrines do you want to shallow before your stomah hurts. Guard what you believe because heaven or hell, along with liberty or bondage are at stake. Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)