A Poisonous Serpentⓒ
In Revelation 12:9 we read, "And the great dragon was cast out, that
old SERPENT, called the Devil, and Satan..." Though Satan is a "serpent" figuratively, he's
a "poisonous" one at that, meaning he's harmful. Heed this warning:
Don't play with him! Stay away from him. If sinners entice you, don't consent. Fear God and depart from evil.
If you come within "striking distance," this poisonous serpent will "bite" you. He'll release his "poison"
or wicked influence into your life much like a physical serpent releases its poison or venom into the bloodstream of
its victim. Then, as the poison negatively affects the body, his "poison" or wicked influence will negatively
affect your life, leading you to do things contrary to God's will. Even if he gets
the chance, he'll come after you as a predator hunts for a prey. He sees you as prey and he wants to prey on you!
To be a victor in Christ the Lord, you must remain
close to Him, not wandering from the path of His righteousness, lest you fall prey to Satan on the path of sin. Don't be
victimized by him! When God said to fear Him, He was saying that this is how you'll be protected from this "poisonous
serpent." Sinners—those that are living in sin, enjoying the pleasures thereof—are "snake-bitten."
They're in desperate need of the Antidote, the Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world. He can save them. They don't
have to die in their sins. Salvation not only means preservation of the soul but also promise of deliverance from
the power of sin and divine healing to those that receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord. Yes, the
devil is a defeated foe, but he's yet a deadly serpent! Don't underestimate him. He's not been conclusively
dealt with yet; he's still "slithering" about humanity, trying to bite and devour and take as many souls with
him as he possibly can before the final realization of his ultimate doom. Remember, fear God and shun
evil, and in so doing, stay out of harm's way!
Soul-searching Questions:
1. Do you know that even as a defeated foe,
the devil yet deadly?
2.
Have you resolved within yourself to stay close to the Lord your Savior?
3. Do you wander from Him often, to enjoy the pleasure of some sin?
4. Are you aware that you're not safe from being
"snakebitten" should you choose to venture outside God's will?
5. Have you offered the Antidote, Jesus, to those "snake-bitten"?
6. Do you realize you can only tread on this poisonous
serpent within God's will, not outside it?
7. Is your life spiritually poisoned or spiritually pure?
8. Are you walking in the fear of God or the flesh?
9. How important is God's will to you?
10. Do you try to be a "snake charmer," thinking you can get away with playing
with Satan, this "poisonous serpent?"
