lies — Blog — The Renewal Project

Several months ago, a speaker at church started his sermon by telling a story. Such a simple story with a profound message. I’ve found myself reflecting on it many times since I first heard it.

Here’s the story: A boy went down to a creek to go fishing. As he was standing on the bank, he noticed something rustling in the brush. He turned and saw a snake coming towards him. The snake rose up and spoke, asking the boy to take him across the creek. The boy refused, afraid the snake would bite him. The snake assured the boy that he wished him no harm. He just needed to get across the water.

After much pleading, the boy was finally convinced to carry the snake across the creek. The boy cautiously picked up the snake and took him across the water. Just as he placed the snake on the ground, the snake rose up and bit the boy on the arm.

The boy winced in pain and questioned the snake. “I thought you said you weren’t going to bite me. You promised!”

The snake, with a smug expression on his face, responded as he slithered away, “You knew what I was when you picked me up.”

Wow! Doesn’t that make you pause and think?

I’ve thought a lot about things that I’ve “picked up” in my life. Things that I knew that had the potential for harm, but I justified allowing them in my life.

I Peter 5:8 tells us to be alert to the schemes of the devil. We know his sole mission is to kill, steal, and destroy. There is no good in him. He loves no one but himself and will try anything and everything he can to cause us harm.

So what about the things in our lives that we have picked up?

Is it okay to “pick up” witchcraft and wizardry in the name of entertainment?

You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Racy pictures?

You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Gossip?

You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Occult practices such as horoscopes, Ouija boards, and tarot cards?

You knew what I was when you picked me up.

Even with the best of intentions, opening doors to destructive influences in our lives can have devastating results.

Just because the boy believed that the snake was harmless didn’t change the fact that the snake was still a snake and did exactly what snakes by nature do.

Can you think of any “snake” in your life that you’ve “picked up?” Ask God to reveal it to you.

If you have identified anything, now what?

Thankfully, God has provided a way for us to get rid of the “snakes” in our lives. It’s called repentance. To repent means to ask for forgiveness, turn, and go the other way.

Every door we’ve opened in our lives to the enemy, with God’s help, we can shut.

If God has brought any “snakes” to your mind, ask Him to forgive you for allowing those things in your life and then stop doing it. According to Philippians 4:13, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. He will not leave you alone in the process, but will empower you.

Thank you, God, for your love and your power to do what is right!