Its name, “jaguar,” is believed to derive from the vocabulary of an ancient Brazilian tribe. It is thought to mean “wild beast that overcomes its prey at a bound.”

The jaguar is the third largest “cat” in the world, behind the tiger and the lion, in that order. (It can weigh up to 400 pounds!) It is the largest cat in the Americas!

This creature is one of the fiercest hunters in all God’s creation! Killing not only crocodiles, turtles (teeth so strong and sharp that can effortlessly bite through a turtle’s shell), deer, cattle and even (at times) people!

He primarily lives in Mexico as well as Central and South America. (But it is currently thought that the heaviest concentration of these majestic creatures is located in the nation of Brazil.)

His body is covered with spots, a yellow coat sprinkled with black spots. I am told that a trained eye can “spot” the difference between the jaguar and the leopard, a smaller animal.

An interesting fact, naturally speaking the jaguar has no enemies! Too big and fast and fierce for that!

He is at home in water (one of the few cats that can effectively swim), in the lofty jungle trees, and of course on land.

Not a surprise, he can live up to 20 years! Who in the world is going to “bother” him?

Oh, one more thing. These animals have an infamous temper! You will notice that earlier I told you he can eat “men!” (So dangerous is he that some countries have hired men to kill them!)

And talk about grudges!

Once injured by a human being, the big cat has been known to “hunt” them down and attack them! I mean hunt them for days and days! And once he locates his “prey” he tries to kill them!

Of course, usually the angry animal loses that battle. (Guns and bullets versus cat power!)

Then again, I see a “lesson” here, a “warning.” The Bible teaches us of the dangers of “revenge,” of “spite.” And of an “angry disposition” as well.

Proverbs 22:24 … “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go.”

Colossians 3:8 … “But now ye also put off all these; ANGER, WRATH, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

1 Peter 2:1 … where “malice” is defined as “ill will, the desire to get even” … “Wherefore laying aside all MALICE, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings …”

And as far as trying to “trap” someone, hunting them down with desire to kill … “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” Proverbs 26:27

The jaguar does NOT mix well with people! I don’t think I have never heard of a jaguar “pet!”

Yet we Christians must be gregarious. To this point … “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another …” Quoting a part of Hebrew 10:25, wise advice in dangerous times! Our adversary as Believers is not said to be a jaguar, but a roaring lion!

Be alert!

Conquer that temper!

Love people, the brethren particularly!

Be smarter than the jaguar.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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