Recently, I was out for my morning walk and encountered a most unwelcome visitor. My walking path these days consists of our driveway that winds from the main road around our home in a circular path. As I walked toward the main road, I spotted a black snake crossing the road from my neighbor’s property.
You have to understand how much I HATE snakes. I hate them. I am terrified of them. There is no such thing as a good snake. I exhibit no bravado when it comes to snakes. I am flat scared to death of them. Even though this one was yards and yards from our home, in my mind, I immediately conjured up a picture of him sunning himself on my deck. HORRORS!!!
I picked up some rocks and threw them at him. I missed. I cautiously circled him, hoping to drive him in a different direction. He didn’t cooperate. Instead he slithered on across the road, down the bank, and up onto our property.
AAARRRGHHHH!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I walked up and down the driveway over the next hour, I kept my eye on Mr. Snake. He, too, kept his eye on me. He slithered along through the woods, inching closer to my home. As I walked and eyed him, it occurred to me that had I not seen him cross the road, I would never have known he was in the woods, slinking along, watching me. I would have been oblivious to the enemy that stalked me in the woods. (Ok, maybe I am being a bit dramatic, but when it comes to snakes DRAMA reigns.)
This whole sordid affair reminded me of 1 Peter 5: 8 (NLT):
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
Friends, we have an enemy and he is constantly watching us from the woods. He waits for the opportune time to scare the pe-tooty out of us, trip us up, and cause us to stumble. His goal is to prevent those who don’t know Christ from meeting Him, and to distract and discourage those who do know Jesus from walking in intimate relationship with Him.
Make no mistake! Satan NEVER has your best interests in mind. People have tried to convince me that there are good snakes. Sheesh! Not as far as I am concerned. Satan is a bad snake and he knows exactly where our weaknesses lie. You and I absolutely must be careful. We must be on guard for that old snake that first slithered through the Garden of Eden and convinced Eve that God was holding out on she and Adam. Satan wants to do the same with you and me. Whatever slick lie he is telling you….don’t believe it. His goal is to get you to distrust and disbelieve God.
So, what do you need to do about that miserable serpent that keeps invading your property? Do exactly what Jesus did. Grab your Bible and chop his head off with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! Testify aloud to the devil that he has no authority in your life because you belong to Jesus. Put Revelation 12: 11 into action against Satan.
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Revelation 12: 11 (NIV)
Friends, never underestimate your enemy. He seeks your total destruction and will tell you whatever lies He can think up to accomplish it.
By the same token, NEVER, EVER, under any circumstances underestimate your God!! He is not afraid of snakes. He went to the cross to crush that silly ole serpent beneath His heel so you and I can walk in victory!!
MEDITATION MOMENT: I gave you two Bible verses that encourage you to battle Satan with Scriptures. Are there Bible verses that you have used successfully in your life to battle Him? I’d love for you to share them with us in the comments section.
