A Snake’s Tongue by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Australia is home to some of the most poisonous snakes in the world; five out of the top ten deadliest. There is the fierce snake, the Common Brown Snake, Taipan, Tiger snake and Death Adder etc.[1] Being bitten by one of these requires immediate medical attention or the victim will probably die. However, there is something far more deadly than any of these snakes; the snake’s tongue.

Genesis records that “the snake was shrewder than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made” (Gen 3:1). It is recorded that twice he spoke with a forked tongue in an attempt to deceive Eve.

^1b “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”’? ² And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, ³ but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ ⁴ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’” (Gen 3:1b-5).

This snake, the devil and Satan (Rev 12:9), has not ceased speaking with a forked tongue in an attempt to deceive us, as he did in the garden. He even tried this strategy on Jesus Christ (Matt 4:1-11), but failed. Jesus Christ showed us how to resist the snake's tongue as He used the Word of God. So, be encouraged to stand firm in the strength of Jesus Christ, when the snake comes waving his forked tongue in your direction.

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[1] “Top 12 deadly dangerous snakes.” http://lifeinthefastlane.com/top-12-deadliest-snakes/ (30^th August 2016).