KEEPING THE FLU FROM SPREADING

Everywhere and constantly on the news are reports and commentary about our nation's current flu outbreak. Although the media has probably hyped this story as it does all others, the fact that people have died from this flu outbreak is no hype. It is so very sad. My point is the justified alarm, outcry, and warning given this influenza flare-up. The stories rightfully all include steps at prevention: Three things are constantly stressed: Vaccination-get that shot, avoidance of contamination in social settings, and washing of hands. Get vaccinated: Get that shot. Get inoculated against the flu. Avoid contamination: Sneeze and cough in your elbow. Stand at least six feet from people. That doesn't seem to work in an elevator. Postpone shaking hands until the flu season is over. Wash your hands: This hand washing is the greatest prevention. Everything we touch is so germy. The flu is lurking on every surface. If this article helps you avoid the flu, great. But that wasn't my aim. I was thinking how folks will do all they can to avoid the flu even if it means going to the extremes. Yet, many Christians do so little to avoid being infected and contaminated by this world and sin. What if we Christians would seek to inoculate ourselves with the Word, prayer, Scripture memorization, etc.? What if we did all we could to avoid the contamination; not watching contaminating movies, listening to contaminating music, visiting contaminating places, and hanging with contaminating people? What if we regularly purified our hearts in faith, letting the Spirit move on us and the blood wash us? There would be a lot less outbreak of sin and worldliness in our hearts and churches. I do not minimize the flu, but the world and sin are far more harmful. Many locations are running out of flu shots. Thankfully, there is not, never has been, never will be, a shortage of the cleansing blood of Christ.