Proverbs 30:15–16 - The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.”
There are about 650 species of leeches in the world. Most live in freshwater close to rocks and vegetation for protection. They have two mouths on either end of their bodies. They look harmless, but can pose dangers to certain people.
Their saliva contains chemicals that keep your blood cells from clotting. So, if you start to bleed, you may have a hard time stopping the flow of blood. Also, they can introduce bacteria and fungi and cause infection. If left untreated, other parts of the body can be adversely affected. Finally, they can pass on other single celled parasites that can cause additional health problems.
When you think about it, some people can operate like leeches in your life. Let’s take a deeper look:
Are there people in your life who are always borrowing or asking you for something? In some sense, “bleeding you dry”? Sometimes in a demanding way if you hesitate or appear like you will say no. It could involve your finances, something you possess, or actions you take. And like the animal, these people can drain you of the one thing that doesn’t get replenished…your time. And they will never say, “That’s enough”.
Are there people in your life who introduce worldly wisdom and ungodly ways into your life? Do they always suggest solutions based on “common sense” that leave God out of the equation? Over time you can find yourself “leaning on your understanding” for all decisions in life (with their influence), and not the Word and Spirit of God. If so, you’ve been infected with a secular worldview. If left untreated, you will walk by the flesh and not the Spirit in life, and your fellowship with God will diminish.
Finally are there people who pass on fear, doubt, anger, and selfishness? In particular pride, tendencies to lie, accusing innocent people, devising wicked schemes, stirring up strife for others. All these are things that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). If so, these are other “parasites” that will destroy your life and those around you.
Proverbs 13:20 warns us that if we walk with the wise, we will be wise, but if we walk with fools, we will suffer harm. Quickly identify the leeches in your life and get rid of them and/or their influence. Your physical, emotional and spiritual health are all at stake.
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