Tim Wildmon

AFA president

August 1994 – One hot and humid summer afternoon – there is not other kind in the South – just before Independence Day weekend my father-in-law and I took my two oldest children fishing. Wriley, my six-year-old daughter, and Wesley, my five-year-old son, went with us to a catfish pond, the kind where you pay for the fish you catch. You sort of feel like you’re cheating since you know the pond is stocked with catfish, but it’s still fun to see the look in the kids’ eyes when the fish takes the bait and the fluorescent bobber goes under water.

Anyway, on this sticky July day, after having minor success with rooster liver for bait, my father-in-law pulled from the cooler a plastic container of “Big Bite Catfish Dough.” Big Bite is made in Edmond, Oklahoma. Says so in bold type on the container.

Now for those who aren’t familiar with catfish dough, let’s just say catfish are attracted by odor. And not necessarily pleasant odor. In fact, catfish dough stinks, and, it looks as bad as it smells. But then again, it’s made to stink. (And not that I really wanted to know, but the ingredients are not listed on the side.) Believe me, there is absolutely nothing appealing about catfish dough.

But on the side of that container – and I am telling the truth here – in big, bold black print were printed the words: “Not for human consumption.” I kid you not. And we’re not talking fine print here, we’re talking big, bold, black print on a white container. “Not for human consumption.”

Now, I’m wondering. I know Americans are a diverse lot, and walking among us are a lot of strange people with peculiar tastes (no pun intended), but as I asked my father-in-law upon reading this – when did this become a problem? Have I missed a special report on CNN? Are insurance companies refusing to pay for hospital treatment for those who consume catfish dough? You couldn’t blame them. “I’m sorry I must have misunderstood you, Mr. Johnson. You had to be hospitalized for eating what?”

Now I can imagine someone writing the Big Bite company a letter: “Dear Big Bite, I’m not one to be critical, but after using your dough I must say Pillsbury has got ya beat hands down. And furthermore, I didn’t taste any of the catfish flavor I was ‘specting with the big catfish on the front of the can and all. Talk about false advertising. Now if you want to give me a year’s supply free I might consider coming back. Sincerely, Dixie Dan.”

Well, I am having a lot of fun with this, but on a more serious note, a quick look at the book of Ephesians tells us a few other things that are not fit for human consumption, all of which can make us spiritually ill if allowed to be a part of our life. In fact, chapter four, verses 29-32 read: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

God’s word should be our guide as to what is good and what is not when it comes to what we allow into our hearts, minds and spirit.

Now as for the stomach, I have to think that even the Lord shakes his head when one of his own creations partakes of Big Bite catfish bait.