"The heart is deceitful above all things... who can know it? 1 the Lord search the heart" (Jer. 17:9-10).
Known as walking sticks, or stick insects, these relatives of katydids, crickets, grasshoppers and earwigs come in many varieties. They live throughout North, Central and South America, as well as the Orient. Some measure only two or three inches long, but in Oriental countries some may be 12 inches long when stretched out on a limb. The larger ones are considered a very tasty food when roasted by the natives.
These insects usually lie perfectly still on narrow branches of trees, or even flat blades of grass or leaves. They look so much like a part of the tree or plant that insects coming from behind innocently climb up and along their backs, not knowing that they will soon be gobbled up. When approaching from the front, the insect expects to climb over the "stick" in its way, but at just the right moment the "stick" opens its mouth and devours it.
These strange, dark-colored creatures have no wings, but have six long, flexible, skinny legs that are a big help in climbing over twigs and branches. Their legs look like a part of a branch itself when folded under their bodies.
Walking sticks remain motionless on the twigs, branches or leaves, blending so perfectly and nearly invisible except when capturing the prey that ventures too close, or when they decide to move on. But most of the time they just lie snugly still against whatever is supporting them. Even people, searching for these odd creatures, may walk right by one lying on a bare branch and not discover it until by chance the person thinks he is grabbing a branch for support and discovers it trying to wriggle away from his hand.
Long, string-like feelers rise straight up from the foreheads of walking sticks' small heads, providing an awareness of some tasty meal approaching. After the discovery of something approaching, these fold back silently and snugly over the tops of their long, skinny necks.
In many ways these walking sticks represent an illustration of the deceitful ways of Satan and his efforts to spoil our personal lives. How much better to have our trust in the Lord Jesus, our Creator, and ask Him to help us do what these Bible verses tell us: "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain [keep] his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile [dishonesty].... For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous [honest and true], and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Peter 3:10,12).