Beware of Snakes in the Grass

Beware of Snakes in the Grass

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-24

Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. “Really?” he asked the woman. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?” “Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. “It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.” “You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. (Genesis 3:1-4a NLT)

What a snake in the grass! Would you believe a shrewd, wily, lying, deceiving creature like a serpent? The serpent, who was none other than Satan in disguise, beguiled Eve into believing that God was witholding something good from her that would make her as wise as God. Satan is described in the New Testament as a “liar and the father of lies.” He is not capable of telling the truth because the Bible says “there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) It is sad to say that countless numbers of people in today’s post-modern society still believe in Satan’s lies. We are warned by the Apostles John and Paul to beware of false prophets who hold the truth in contempt.

     When I was a young boy I came face to face with a snake in the grass. I was walking down a path to the creek when I almost stepped on a coiled up poisonous copperhead. I jumped as high as I could (probably set a world’s record) and made a beeline for home. Needless to say, I possess a definite fear of snakes. One time while building a house in Missouri I got bit on the hand by a black snake that was hiding in my lumber pile. I want nothing to do with snakes of any kind.

     How could Eve allowed herself to be beguiled by the serpent? Keep in mind that our first parents were living in the age of innocence. They had no idea what sin was since none had yet been committed by man. Several factors worked in favor of the serpent. First, he was a creature of beauty and Eve apparently saw no evil in him. Second, he was shrewd, meaning clever or astute. Third, he was capable of deception. Eve bought into his program of deception and the sin of disobedience was committed. Not only that but she gave to Adam and he willingly ate and sinned as well. The consequences of their sin brought a curse upon the world along with death.

     Jesus warns us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). We need to be aware that Satan is our enemy and is still spewing out deception and lies. The only way to ward off his evil devices is to make sure we have prayed on the whole armor of God as taught in Ephesians 6:10-18. Refuse to listen to the world—rely on Jesus, he can be trusted.

Prayer: Dear Lord, there are still a lot of snakes in the grass, and we need the protection that you have to offer through your word and faith in Jesus Christ.