The Scorpion & The Turtle

The Scorpion & The Turtle                                                  November 15, 2026

“A scorpion, being a very poor swimmer, once asked a turtle to carry him on his back across a river.  ‘Are you mad?’ exclaimed the turtle.  ‘You will sting me while I’m swimming and I’ll drown.’  The scorpion laughed as he replied, ‘My dear turtle, if I were to sting you, you would drown and I would go down with you.  Now, what would be the point of that?  I won’t sting you.  It would mean my own death!’  The turtle thought about the logic of his argument for a few moments and then said, ‘You’re right.  Hop on!’  The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river, he gave the turtle a mighty sting.  As the turtle began to sink to the bottom of the river with the scorpion on its back, it moaned in dismay, ‘After your promise, you still stung me!  Why did you do that?  Now, we’re both doomed.’  The drowning scorpion sadly replied, ‘I couldn’t help it.  It’s my nature to sting.’”

We need to carefully consider who we associate with on a social level.  It has been said that companions are like buttons on a elevator – they will either take you up or they will take you down.  Indeed, the Scriptures agree.  “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).  “Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits” (I Corinthians 15:33).

As those who would try to live godly, we are faced with a most difficult dilemma.  We must do all we can to avoid being influenced by the ungodly world in which we live (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1), but at the same time we must live as a part of the world around us (I Corinthians 5:9-11).  In fact, being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16), and by “going into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) both demand that we associate with the world.  How might we be able to make the best of this difficult dilemma?

First, we must learn to discern good from evil.  It is impossible for one to avoid ungodly influences if he or she cannot determine what influences are in fact ungodly.  The Hebrew writer rebuked the audience for not having their senses developed to discern good from evil, and encouraged them to deeper emersion in God’s word and exercise therein to remedy this (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Second, we must determine to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33).  A person who fails to put God at the top of his or her list of priorities is certain to let Him fall further and further down the list.  One who desires to resist evil influences must make godliness his or her first priority.

Third, we need to realize that many of our friends and associates in the world will not understand or accept our priorities.  Peter warned his audience that many would think their godly behavior strange and speak evil of them (I Peter 4:4).  We must remember that Christ didn’t promise us acceptance in this world, but He did promise to help us endure these trials (John 17:13-15).

Finally, as our worldly friends, neighbors, and acquaintances find us strange and question our convictions, we need to be prepared to tell them about our Lord.  Peter said, “… Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (I Peter 3:15).

By Jeremy Paschall