Don’t Be The Wrong Frog

The "frog in the skillet" (or boiling frog) is a metaphor for failing to react to a slowly intensifying crisis. It states that if a frog is placed in tepid water that is gradually heated, it will not perceive the danger and will cook to death. Conversely if it were dropped into boiling water suddenly it would immediately respond to the danger and hop out of the boiling water.

We are in a battle every day to determine which frog we are going to be. We are constantly assaulted with opportunities to embrace the things of this world. It’s never an in your face attack but rather it is one of subtlety. Satan knows if he confronted us boldly we would flee to Jesus. However if he can lure us slowly into the things of this world we will be like the boiling frog.

Of course our first reaction is I would never be like that stupid frog, unfortunately that is simply not true. It is human nature to seek comfort and to avoid conflict so we would all end up like that frog in the boiling water.

Frogs regulate their body temperature primarily through ectothermic behavior, using their environment to heat or cool down rather than relying on internal metabolism. This is why the frog boils to death as its environment gradually heats up. Sadly we too,as a society, regulate our life based on adjusting to environmental factors. We often stay silent when Scripture tells us to speak up. We remove relationships from our life instead of doing the hard work of redemption and forgiveness. We accept things that society says are acceptable rather than exercising love the way Jesus loved. Jesus didn’t condemn but he also spoke into people’s lives that were carrying the weight and burden of sin. He showed them that love has a better way. His heart was to see people free and embraced in kingdom love.

So how does this frog process happen? Subtly… slowly… steadily pushing the temperature up. The frog slowly adjusts to the water temperature and therefore sees no reason to leap out.

We see this happening in our world now. How often do we slowly face subtle acceptance of societal issues? How often do we allow division in the church due to political, emotional and cultural opinions? How often do we make choices based on our opinions and understanding rather than God’s Word? We are living in a time where we need to be ever mindful of looking to Word of God instead of adapting to our environment. We need His truth and wisdom so we know when to jump out of the pan!

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The love grows cold, that is why we are prone to be like the boiling frog. All of this wickedness flooding the world subtly turns our eyes and hearts away from Jesus. Love becomes tolerance, wisdom becomes understanding, we slowly begin to rely on ourselves instead of trusting in Him.

In pondering this metaphor of the frog I realize I desperately need Jesus. I know that on my own I would not have the insight to detect the rising temperature around me. I need to be always looking to Him for how I am to live my life. I need His holiness to teach me how to be holy. I need His love to teach me how to set aside my flesh and love as He does. I need His wisdom to perceive His plans and not just respond to what I see happening in the world. I need His sacrificial spirit to be willing to obey. I need His strength to live each day for His glory. I need Him to keep the fire of my love for Him blazing. I need Him to help me be the frog who is quick to jump from a boiling pan into His safe arms.