I don't believe there is anyone more afraid of snakes than I am! I don't like to watch them on television because I'm afraid I will dream of them, when I go to bed. I've come in contact with my share. Once, when a young child, a bunch of us went swimming in the creek where we also went to swim. This one day was very different from all the others. As we played around in the water, someone hollered, 'snakes'! And, sure enough, we turned around, and here came a bunch of snakes swimming down the creek. You can imagine how fast we all got out of that water. I don't think I ever went swimming in that swimming hole again. The fear of snakes set in that very day. You hear people tell the tales about how quickly a snake can be on you, grab you and take a bite. And, when you go in the woods, you never know what's laying there to reach out and grab you, because they blend in with the surroundings.

The enemy is like the snakes. He will watch you with that keen eye, and when you let your guard down, he strikes. He doesn't care that you aren't prepared for his attack. He comes after you with all his might, trying to suck the spiritually out of you. He is just like the snake, in that he puts as much 'venom' in the first bite as he can. He wants you and all of you. He is so cunning, when he persues you. Remember Eve in the Garden of Eden, when the serpent told her it was okay to eat the apple? If she had been prepared (listened to what God had told Adam), then she would have realized to eat of the fruit meant 'death'. But, since the serpent told her in those 'believing words' that it would be okay if she ate, and she didn't realize he misquoted the words of God, then she listened. And, look what it has gotten us! The enemy is a sneak, just like the snake. He watches, waits, and when you think all is well, he strikes! So, be ready for the attack of the enemy. Get out the Word, study, and be obedient to the Word. Don't be just a hearer, but also a doer of the Word, attending to all the commandments of God. That way, you'll be able to escape the attacks of the enemy.

God's Thoughts:

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.