I have heard this term many times. A husband or wife may say, “Let’s not go there. That will open up ‘a can of worms.'” A parent may say, “I don’t want to open up that ‘can of worms.’ What do they mean?
Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘a can of worms’ as “a situation that causes a lot of problems for you when you start to deal with it.”
People are afraid of opening ‘a can of worms’ for a variety of reasons, and they all stem from keeping what is in the can safely in the can. Maybe the can was opened at one point, and what appeared was dirty, ugly, slimy, and nasty. So, the lid went back on the can and sealed tighter than before. A can of worms. Ugh!
The problem, though, is the worms are still in the can.
Try as you might, the worms will not stay hidden forever, and they certainly won’t remain hidden safely. Many times, it is the things we don’t want to deal with that we need to address.
Solomon mentions in Proverbs 4:23 that we need to guard our hearts with all vigilance.
Matthew 15 records a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. In verse 18, Jesus mentions some things that come out of the heart and defile the man.
I suggest even if the lid is tight on the ‘can of worms,’ if it is in the heart, defilement will come at some point. The lid will not stay on forever. Poison will eat away at it until all that is within comes slithering out. Then watch out. Words will be said, and deeds acted out, and you will think, “Where did that come from?”
It came from ‘a can of worms’ that you ignored.
How much better it is to open the can voluntarily, let the light of the Spirit shine in, allow tears of repentance and forgiveness flow, and experience healing in the soul.
Let me know if I can be of assistance.
You might also like these articles...
Trust Behavior Over Words!
What does it mean to trust behavior over words? Behavior trumps words. If someone tells you one thing, but their behavior does not coincide with their words, believe the behavior. Jesus told a story in Matthew 21:28-31 about a man with two sons. Dad asked the first son to go to work, and the son…
Active Accountability
Active accountability is essential for Christians who seek to grow in faith, maintain spiritual integrity, and live according to God’s will. Unlike passive accountability, which may rely on occasional check-ins or correction when mistakes are noticed, active accountability is intentional, consistent, and proactive. It requires a commitment to transparency, regular self-examination, and a willingness to…
Heal Thy Marriage Intensive
DayStar Ministries is now providing another venue for the healing of marriages. Please read this to become aware of the “Heal Thy Marriage” weekend intensive coming on August 13-15, 2023. Has your marriage suffered the pain and trauma of adultery? Are you struggling to put the pieces back together with your spouse and need help…