Leopards in western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand sugarcane fields are turning ‘soft’ and ‘fatter’, refusing to return to the wild, say forest officers. These big cats have become heavier, slower, bellies round, shoulders heavy, claws rubbed smooth, their stealth and urgency fading, and canines faded out so that they cannot grip a prey. When hunger strikes, their first instinct is to head for the nearest village. (The Economic Times, 19 November 2025) Sadly, many believers are like these leopards, without zeal or passion.
Lack of discipline: The leopards lost their daily discipline or rhythms of life. When living in the forest, they used to run, jump, leap and walk long distances. Now, they just eat and sleep and are not alert to other wild animals. Disciples who do not have the daily discipline of reading and meditating on the Bible, prayer, praise and intercession, witnessing, sharing and caring for others, will become like these lazy leopards.
Comfort traps? These leopards have begun a comfortable life. They need not take any risk, just walk to kill a domesticated animal or men, and even children. They are not fit to live anymore in the wild jungles. When forest officials leave them in the wild, they come back to the sugarcane fields. Many disciples are comfortable listening to online sermons or seek the ‘health, and wealth gospel’ and neglect righteousness, truth and the Kingdom of God. Hence, they are not bold witnesses and useful instruments in the hands of God.
Fit for Zoos: These leopards are fit to be in zoos as a spectacle for visitors, instead of being in their natural habitat. Caged, they become victims of jokes and pokes of humans. Many disciples have lost the love and fervour for the Lord. (Revelation 2:4) Instead of living a dynamic and life of freedom, they have become dependent and non-productive animals. Since believers are not willing to take up the cross, they have become non-productive disciples. They are neither salt of the earth nor the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Am I a dynamic, disciplined and diligent disciple of the Lord?