Lessons from the Serpent

Wisdom to fulfill your Destiny

The serpent is renowned to be, not only the craftiest creature, but also one of the smartest.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why Jesus cited the serpent as example in a number of His teachings?

“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake...” Matthew 10:16 MSG

Your sojourn on earth is an assignment. You are sent to this earth on a mission - a mission to fulfill your destiny. And Jesus is reminding you that it’s not going to be a jamboree, neither would it be business as usual. Christ could only compare it to sheep running through a pack of wolves. I don’t know if you get the import of that analogy. Let’s think about it for a while, how is sheep supposed to run through the midst of wolves and come out alive? That is what your destiny sojourn here on earth is likened to. May you fulfill it in Jesus name.

Without much ado, let us attempt to dissect these traits in the serpent that are so special that Jesus had to call our attention to.

1. The Serpent keeps (or protects) its head

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11,17 KJV

When you see a snake, your first or primary target is its head. So also, the first target of the enemy is your head. The first target of the wicked is to make you lose your salvation. Did you wonder the reason the scripture says “take the helmet of salvation.” The helmet is generally meant to shield the head from possible danger. Protect your head. Ensure your helmet of salvation does not fall off.

Don’t allow relationship, association, friend, work/job or even marriage take away the helmet of salvation from you. You’re into a relationship that isn’t glorious, this will work against your salvation. Stop toying with your helmet of salvation.

2. The Serpent doesn’t fear anything it’s pursuing

The snake might be only three feet, yet it can pursue a rabbit or animal much bigger than it is. You must learn to fear nothing. Pursue your goal without fear or intimidation. Fear not and pursue your goal.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Where exactly did fear emanate from? In your life, at what point did you allow fear get into your heart? If your goal isn’t big, it is because you have limited your God, you fail to understand that you serve a big God.

If you can dream it, you can achieve it. The serpent has enough, in fact, more than enough enemies. Every creature wants to attack the snake, yet in the midst of all these, they survive. They have learnt to not only survive but also to thrive in the midst of enemies.

Wisdom is moving amd thriving in the midst of enemies without attracting unnecessary attention.

3. The Serpent has a virtue of silence

The serpent can exist in the same environment with its prey without being noticed for weeks, or even months.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; ...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength...” Isaiah 30:15 KJV

Silence is golden. It is, indeed, a strength. When you begin to learn silence, you begin to think more, you begin to hear God more and receive direction for living.

“Be still, and know that I am God...” Psalm 46:10 KJV

God admonishes us to acknowledge His ‘Lordship’ in stillness. You expose the thoughts of your heart to the enemy when you talk. The more you talk the more vulnerable you become. When you can keep quiet, it becomes difficult for the enemy to get you, as it is easier to entrap you by the words of your mouth. You must learn the art of keeping silent and talking at appropriate moments.

“You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.” Proverbs 6:2 NIV

For the enemy to get you, all they need do is wait for you to talk. If Eve had remained silent when she was being engaged by the devil, she wouldn’t have fallen that cheaply.

Planning for the future is activated in silence. It’s easier for you to hear God when you keep quiet. The Bible says, be still and know that I am God. God wants to talk to you but you are too noisy, you have become too lousy to hear God. It is difficult for Him to get your attention.

4. The Snake Studies

The snake is a very studious creature, earnest in its intent. Little wonder it hardly misses its target.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

When last did you study in your field of endeavour? How updated are you in your profession. If you are not current, you cannot be correct. If you are not going to die in your casual work, you better begin to study.

What is it that you’re doing? How much have you invested in your profession/career? When last did you invest in books/ebooks? You have a massive budget for luxuries and frivolities - expensive wristwatches, bone-straight hair, and so on. How dare you use a wig of ₦250,000 when there’s nothing in that head.

Don’t die in your little corner as a mediocre. Study. You call yourself a minister, and in a whole month, you have not read a single book.

You say you are a student and you are always on tiktok and twitter... Whatever you find yourself doing, my brother, learn more, add value to yourself. Add value to your services and whatever it is that you have to deliver. You are a designer, learn more, add more knowledge. What value have you added to yourself? What knowledge have you added to your life since you got married? You cook and people get irritated, because you have failed to embrace study.

When you increase your learning, you increase your earning. As you feed your belly, feed your mind too.

The scripture says, study to show yourself approved. When you fail to study, shame is imminent. As much as you strive to enhance your looks or physical appearance, also invest in your mind and ability as well. Don’t pay attention to the container and undermine the content.

5. The Serpent is Patient

The serpent can patiently wait for hours and keenly observe before striking. No wonder, it hardly misses its target.

In your destiny pursuit, you must be patient. Patience is a virtue, it's also a fruit of the spirit. You cannot afford to keep playing to the gallery.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 KJV

Without patience, you cannot receive the promise. Between your prophecy and the performance or fulfillment, there is what we call patience.

“If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come.” Job 14:14 KJV

If you refuse to wait you will waste. Your destiny is colourful, your tomorrow is glorious, but you must learn to wait.

6. The Serpent keeps good Company

If I care about you, I will ask about and want to know the company you keep. The wrong person around your life is enough to ruin your destiny.

‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV

Watch a woman that has several friends, it’s just a matter of time, she’s the one that will kill the husband. You will never see a snake in the company of dogs but snakes alone.

You want to go into a particular business, with whom? The Spirit of God is what makes the difference.

7. The Serpent possesses hypnotizing power

“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Psalm 45:7 KJV

To fulfill your destiny assignment, you must be anointed. You must be filled with the power of God. You must carry fire. There is a problem when the enemy can just take you for a ride and go scot free.

8. The Serpent has life and death in its tongue

The snake can kill both its prey and itself. In like manner, you as a believer should be careful because the power of life and death is in your tongue.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:6, 8 KJV

Be mindful of what you are professing with your mouth. Make sure you don’t use your mouth against yourself. Also beware of people who are fond of cursing and don’t provoke them to wrath so you don’t inherit curses.

9. The Serpent hides and flourishes

“Go home, my people, and lock your doors! Hide yourselves for a little while until the Lord’s anger has passed.” Isaiah 26:20 NLT

Stop attracting humans, particularly enemies, that you cannot handle. The testimony and miracle you expose when still young and tender can be terminated.

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” Luke 1:80 KJV

The Bible says, even the child remained in hiding, in the desert until the day of his showing forth. Growth takes place in hiding. There is glory in hiding. What ascribes the value that gold has is the fact that it is hidden, same goes for diamond.

Have you ever seen a pack of snakes before? You never will. It is only one you will see while others are behind in the cave.

“And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” Genesis 13:14-15 KJV

God has a lot in stock for you, but He needs you to see the big picture. What you don't see, you can't possess. May God open your eyes to help you see and grant you grace to pursue your destiny Assignment to fulfilment in Jesus name.