Beware the Viper in the Garden

Eve fell to his deceit and all mankind pays the price to this day. Yet we do not learn.  We still fall for his tricks.  They are so varied and insidious.  He is after all the Great Liar.  Don’t be fooled because he is under the thumb of our great God, he remains very clever and very much alive and well in this world. 

I have noticed that in many a beautiful garden, this Viper has found a nest.  I’m sure his selected henchmen have no idea or goal to serve him.  But dear sisters remember the Word- you serve one or the other there is no in between.  In the garden he practices his tricks as follows: 

A beloved child of the One seeks advice and it is given. The advice comes from believers and nonbelievers alike and both often give advice that is not of the Truth.  We as humans all too often fall for the lie that within us is the wisdom to set ourselves free, that we alone can solve our problems, and that we need look no further than our own reasoning to find solutions.  This is folly.  Counsel not grounded in the Word and prayer is not well founded.  Nonetheless counsel we seek and counsel we give without thought to the eternal consequences.

This initial deceit is not the most insidious of his tricks however. It is what comes next.  Invariably someone will attempt to point out a dissenting point of view, one given with sincerity and founded in the Word.  This is when the Viper makes his final strike.  This is the move that separates the unwatchful from their spiritual moorings.  The Viper will tell the unhappy advice seeker that whomever dissents does so cruelly.  “If she cared, she would not say such things;”  “She’s trying to make you feel guilty;” She just doesn’t want you to be happy.”   

How clever he is!  Now, will you listen to her words?  Will you take them into your heart and pray over them?  Will you seek out her Bible verses to see for yourself where Truth lies?  Oh no, this unsuspecting lackey of the Great Liar has turned you away and in doing so left you with only his advice to follow.  “She doesn’t care about you, but listen to me, I care.”   Why should you listen to her painful advice to forgive or make sacrifices or endure  or trust or just keep trying when your “true friends” offer you instant solace and support?  Why take the narrow road when the wide one looks so inviting? 

But I say to you, beware the Viper.  He knows our weaknesses.  He strikes at one and steals away their spirit, then turns them to strike the next.  He does not sleep and he does not accept his fate.  Make no mistake- his goal is to destroy. 

So here’s a little piece of advice from me.  If I post to you, offer advice, ask a question or pray for you it is not because it’s my “Christian duty.”  It’s because I do care.  If someone tells you that I am trying to hurt you, make you feel bad, trick you or simply do not care about you, ask yourself “why would I bother?”  God grants us the gift of the Spirit and through this gift we are filled with love.  I do not desire to tear down but to build up.  But I am no “yes person” I don't sacrifice my beliefs for the sake of being popular.  

I would never expect or insist that someone follow my advice as I am a mere human and subject to many, many flaws and sins.  But I would expect that if a little snake whispers in your ear and tells you I’m out to get you; you’ll be wise enough to know better.