Genesis 3:13b – Then the Lord God said to the woman [Eve], "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." (NIV)

A talking snake story? How can anyone believe that ancient myth about a snake who once talked to Eve, saying, "God knows that when you eat of [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil"? (Genesis 3:5 NIV)

Now I ask: How can anyone not believe in this talking snake? Do you not see him?

Don't you see him in the store window, coiled around that classy outfit, or slithering across that shiny car, hissing a promise, "Buy this and you'll gain popularity, power, and happiness. You'll have security"?

Don't you hear the serpent's ancient lie: "Consume the fruits of creation, and you will be wise. You will be goddesses and gods. You will be as God. Yes, you can be master of your own destiny! You don't need God. He's a kill-joy, after all"?

Surely now you see him smirking gleefully in the debris of environmental waste.

Is he not the creature who spews toxins — poisonous notions which instill fear, pride, contempt, and coveting — which in turn, cause all manner of devastations for humankind?

Do you still insist that you cannot hear any talking snake? Then remember that he "masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV).

So now, do you hear the snake? Do you hear his smooth whispers in religious and political philosophies which say: "Follow us and your eyes will be opened; you'll be enlightened"?

Surely, you suspect the snake buried in the cherished "isms" of the day — like hedonism and a myriad of other ideologies which nudge humanity onto a path toward despair, loneliness, poverty, and death.

Surely you hear his sinister sneers in the wreckage of war and conflict. After all, Jesus told us that this talking snake has one prime agenda: "The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10a NIV). He aims to destroy everything of God — to obliterate life, future generations, and all that sustains life and wellbeing.

But here's the key question: Can you see this same serpent's head crushed under the foot of a man, as foreshadowed in the ancient story in Genesis 3:15? That man would be Jesus Christ, the promised antidote for the snake's venom. Jesus went on to contrast Himself with Satan: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b NIV)

Do you believe this ancient promise of a Saviour? To be sure, this hope makes little sense apart from the account of the "talking snake" and his grip on humanity.

Belief in Christ involves a deep, sustained trust in Him. It is a new life set free from the devil's snare, free to embrace God's gifts of life. It is rich, abundant, fruitful living in Christ.

Prayer: Creator and sustainer of life, enable us to grasp the depth and power of Your covenant promise of life, that we may partner with You in the good news of hope for a world gripped in the serpent's lie. Amen.

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About the author:

Diane Eaton <dianeeaton6@gmail.com>
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
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