In the deserts of Arizona there are ants with the technical name Polyergus, but they are more commonly known as the western slave-maker. Unlike other ants, these are not capable of hunting food for themselves or their little ones and could not live without other ants doing this for them.
Because of this they make raids on another species of ants, known as the Formicas, and here’s what takes place. Several times a year the leaders in the nest send out scouts to find Formica nests. When the scouts find these nests they come back and somehow let the others know the “good news.” Then a huge army of several thousand takes off behind the scouts, following them to the unsuspecting victims.
Without any warning they march right into the Formica’s nest, not attempting to fight them-although they would be quite capable of fighting with their strong jaws and sharp teeth. Instead, they spray the entire area with a chemical from their bodies. This chemical does not bother the raiders but is so unpleasant to the Formicas that the queen and all her workers get out as fast as possible. However, they cannot take with them the thousands of their babies, known as pupae, that have not yet hatched.
That is exactly what the raiders want to happen. Each raider grabs one pupa and carries it back to its own nest. Thousands are carried back where some are eaten by the hungry captors. Most are carefully looked after and in a short time develop into full-sized ants. These are taught how to go after food to bring back for themselves as well as for their captors.
Of course, these newly hatched ants can’t remember anything about their former home and fit right into this pattern, apparently accepting the fact that taking care of the others is their job.
The cruel and selfish ways of the slave-makers bring to mind the Bible verse at the beginning, telling us to beware of Satan who is always wanting to make us his slave and make us serve him. Every person in the world is often tempted by him, although many do not realize Satan is their cruel master.
But for Christians, knowing the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, there are many other Bible verses to help us resist the evil one. One tells us: “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:44Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4). And James 4:7,87Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:7‑8) tells where to turn for help, saying: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh [near] to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” Yes, we are invited to turn to God in every trouble and we can be sure of His loving help.
ML-07/07/1991