This may sound kooky, but I even talk to them and tell them I am going to take good care of them. (Hey don't judge. Plants need carbon dioxide!)
After a tiring day of pruning the hedges in my backyard, I threw down my pruning shears and decided to take a break in the shade of my back patio. As soon as I looked over to admire my work, a snake slithered its way into the hedges I had just tended to. I almost had a scary encounter! I missed it by a fraction of a minute!
God spoke to me concerning this. Many times, we have snakes in our garden. Snakes camouflage themselves, blending into our lives. They strike when you least expect it; injecting their toxic venom where they see fit-- sowing discord.
A snake can take on many forms. Perhaps a gossiping friend, a bad influence, or a seemingly harmless co worker of the opposite sex. It doesn't have to be just a person. It can also come in the form of negative thoughts, ideas, temptations, addictions, or even social media websites.
Beware of the snakes in your life! Open up your eyes, or you, too, could fall victim of a snake's venomous attack.
Adam and Eve led peaceful lives in the Garden of Eden. They had it all-- a perfect marriage, a great relationship with the Creator, and all of their needs were being taken care of...that is until the snake entered their lives.
In Genesis 3:1, we see that the serpent made Eve question God's word. Two verses later, we see the snake corrupting and changing God's words. Unfortunately, Eve bought into the snake's lie. The consequences were severe; she became spiritually dead. In the end, the snake went on it's merry way, pleased with what it had done.
I encourage you women of God to analyze your life, and look for potential snakes in your garden. Remove toxic people or circumstances. They could ruin your marriage, your partnership, damage your relationship with God, and have devastating affects on your children.
Busy-bodies will viciously scrutinize other people's lives, and will crucify them with their sins. They, too, will face judgment.
Matthew 7:2, says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Maybe you're analyzing yourself and you realize YOU ARE THE SNAKE. Do you have a bad habit of gossiping? Bridle your tongue!
James 3:2-10 says, "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he (or she) says, he (she) is a perfect man (woman,) able also to bridle his (her) whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell..."
If you have a gossiping friend, chances are, they gossip about you, too. Remove them from your inner circle. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much."
It is in a woman's nature to be put at enmity with the snake. Identify the snakes in your garden and remove it from further corrupting your life, or even better--prevent them from causing any damage in the first place. Protect your nest; pray for discernment, and discretion.
After all, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." -Proverbs 11:22.
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