The microorganism that causes malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, has been called the million-murdering death, because that’s about how many people it kills each year. During World War II, the drug chloroquine was developed, which was very effective at killing malaria. But within 40 years the deadly bacteria had evolved resistance to chloroquine and rendered the drug useless in most cases. It turns out that a change in the amino acid sequence of a single protein encoded by the parasite’s DNA confers the drug resistance, and this change is caused by two primary mutations. Thus, because of mutation, the whole landscape has changed in the fight against malaria.

No doubt, of this story of malaria there are many applications to our Christian experience, and I can contribute more blog posts at a later date. For one, the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself transfigures himself into an angel of light.” The devil is always changing his tactics in his attempt to destroy the believers in Christ and tear down the Body of Christ. As this age progresses on toward the second coming of Christ, Satan will mutate himself in more insidious forms “so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen” (Matthew 24:24).  May we who are Christians be fresh in our contact with the Lord and ever on guard against the stratagems of the devil!