Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world. That’s a million-dollar word that simply means a fear of snakes. A Gallup poll found that 51% of Americans fear snakes; that’s a higher percentage than people who fear public speaking or heights. In fact, fear of snakes is the second most common phobia in the world; 1/3 of adults are believed to have an intense fear of snakes.
I know this personally because my husband is afraid of snakes; a fear he inherited from family members who have been known to back up their car (repeatedly) to run over a snake on the road. There have been several times in my decades-long marriage when I have been pushed out of the way as my husband ran to escape a snake. He’s a great protector; except when a snake is involved. Then all bets are off.
Fortunately for me, I am not afraid and have many times relocated snakes in our yard to the woods. It’s not uncommon for me to see snakes when I am out for a walk. Now, I’m not going near a rattlesnake or other venomous snake. I’ve learned how to identify snakes so that I can be vigilant. Ignorance or bravado can have serious consequences.
It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous snake bites in the United States. But only about five of those people die. And the reason is anti-venom. Years ago, when scientists started making snake antivenom, they used horses because they are so large and have more blood. Over the years, however, they discovered the blood of lambs is much better at fighting the venom.
Most who read this blog are very familiar with the events of the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3 tells us the story of the fall of mankind. “Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Notice how satan – disguised as or speaking through a snake – doesn’t come right out and tell Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He manipulates. He prods. He suggests. “Did God really say?” he asks her. He plants a seed of doubt. He plants the first thoughts of “maybe God’s holding out on me.” He gives her permission to go against God in pursuit of want. He lays the groundwork for justification. And in the process, Eve trades security, peace, provision for a life of want, pain, and separation.
I’d call that a figurative snake bite.
And I’ve had too many of those in my lifetime. Too many times when I chose the justification path rather than the path of obedience. When I questioned what God was calling me to do, or to be because, quite frankly, I felt like my way was more fun or fulfilling. I ran after the want and left behind the one who provided for all my needs. And just like Adam who blamed Eve. And Eve who blamed the snake. I rationalized my way out of many situations I should not have been in. And each time I chose my desires over God’s plan, the venom of sin coursed through my veins. While the effects might not be quickly visible, without treatment, I was dying. And death is the prize satan seeks for all of mankind.
Enter the Lamb. The one and only antivenom we will ever need to overcome the enemy and live in relationship with God. The blood of Jesus Christ, the innocent sacrifice for sin that was born in a Garden, is the only cure for separation. It is only in receiving a transfusion of His life-saving grace, that we might overcome the crafty one. Luke 10:19 tells us, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” That authority comes when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
The serpent is crafty. He shows up as friends who tempt us. Media that devalues truth. Social media that tells you to do what feels good. Evil is seen as good and good is seen as evil. Pride. Arrogance. Greed. Fear. It is easy to give in to temptation. To think that maybe God is holding out on you. That maybe it isn’t “all that bad to…”. And when we choose justification over truth, we choose sin. We choose poison over life.
Romans 16:20 gives us hope, “The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” God knew the events of the Garden of Eden before they happened. And He had a cure in place; a costly one in His Son Jesus Christ. He provided the only antidote that would defeat the lies of the enemy and our sinful nature. He sent the Lamb to defeat the serpent.
Every day is a struggle to do the right things. To walk after Jesus in a way that honors His sacrifice. Every moment is a moment that requires a choice. And no matter how deliberately we try to follow Jesus, we will fail. Because Adam and Eve failed.
But every failure leads to an opportunity. A chance to seek forgiveness. A chance to repent. To receive the lifesaving antivenom of the Lamb. To fill our veins with the love of God so that the temptations of this world no longer control us. For the desire of sin to be replaced with the burning desire to live for Jesus. To walk in joy.
To crush the enemy under our feet.
This week’s prayer can be found at https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/evil-prayers/save-me/