The devil's vine

The other day i was looking at a tree growing on the creek bank beside my house. It was completely covered with an English ivy vine. This tree was several years old and very tall. As i looked in awe at the complete covering of the vine on the tree, every branch, every limb. The only identifying remnant of the tree was the silhouette of its shape. As i pulled out of the driveway i looked back at the tree once more. Throughout the morning i pondered in my mind the tree. What was once a strong, green, leafy tree that was thriving with it's root planted firmly by the water had become a completely lifeless monument in complete submission to the vine. How could a vine takeover this tree to the point that it kills it. The tree was helpless to the vine.
I began to brainstorm about the events leading up to the trees' demise. In the beginning the vine grew on the base of the tree trunk. as it grew it began to attach roots to the base. At that point someone could have cut the vines and stopped it. Left unkempt, the vine gained strength and grew up the entirety of the tree. As it grew upwards it also covered all the branches and limbs. Attached its roots in such quantity that the vine could now independently survive and function as the tree once did. The vine, without ever making a single attack forced the tree to surrender growth. From a distance a person would see a healthy green tree. But a closer examination will tell the story.
The devil operates a lot like this vine. He has the appearance of a tree but really is not. Even a healthy Christian can subdue to the Devil's Vine if left uncared for. At first we pay little attention to the vine and its intentions. We continue to thrive and grow with little more than a distraction. After time we begin to strangle as the vine takes us over and we begin to resemble more vine than tree.
I believe we all can learn from this story. Even the best tree left unattended can lose the victory. If there are no roots growing on your tree, good for you. As for myself, I believe that I will go cut the vine of that tree and see if it can still survive!!
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:1