Lessons from a Worm Snake

Yesterday, as I was raking leaves, I discovered a worm snake. It was small (less than a foot long), and not poisonous. Probably relatively harmless.


But I absolutely killed that thing.

I killed it DEAD. It was chopped up in to bits less than an inch long (praise Jesus for machetes and generous friends!)

The Lord taught me a valuable lesson as I killed that snake. I was recently reading in Judges about how the Israelites would enslave the conquered lands, but they failed to drive them out. Additionally, we see in Genesis how Eve talks to the snake and engages it in conversation, thus leading to her being deceived. Both of these narratives remind me of how to deal with sin. We must put it to death, not entertain it or “master it.” We’re not quite as capable as we would like to think.

Israel fell in to idolatry for generations by failing to kill the conquered peoples and their idols. Adam and Eve led mankind to fall in to sin due to entertaining a seemingly harmless conversation with a serpent. But God is clear- we are to crucify our flesh and its desires, and flee from any sin that may entangle us.

Which is (oddly) what came to mind as I chopped up this rogue reptile slithering through my yard. The snake wasn’t the problem- it was what it could lead to.

First, I thought the snake was a baby. I don’t want to find an even bigger snake next spring! So I killed it when it was small.

Second, I couldn’t see its head, so I didn’t know if it was poisonous or not- I’m not taking any chances. Let it be known: Catoe don’t play.

Third- my roommates have made it abundantly clear that they do not like snakes. For peace of mind, this thing had to go.

You guys, the same is true for our sin!

I must put it to death when it is smaller and manageable (a baby sin, if you will); if I wait until it has taken root, the battle will be much more difficult. I will still have victory in Christ, but why make a battle more difficult than it needs to be? Scripture instructs us to put to death the sin that lies within us, to lay aside any thing that may entangle us. That means kill it ASAP.

The devil has been observing humanity much longer than I have- I don’t know what sins will prove to be venomous in my life. Oftentimes, when I think I am not susceptible to a certain sin, I am placed directly in the cross hairs for it. I am never “too good” for sin- only Jesus is. I am sinful to the very core of my nature; without the saving power of Christ, I am dead in my sin. So I need to kill my sin, mercilessly- because it may seem “harmless” today- but it may not be tomorrow. And I’m not willing to risk it.

Also, God hates sin! Out of respect for Him, I need to kill it! Even if I don’t care if it is dangerous, if it is small, if it can kill- I love and respect the Lord too much to let it stay in my life. It is a beautiful way to love and honor the Lord, but abstaining from the things He abhors and seeking after the things He desires.