top of page

The Year of the Snake

Jimmy Lau

A very Happy Chinese New Year to all our readers. According to the Chinese zodiac, we are in the year of the Snake. Of course, I do not believe in the zodiacs, whether Western or Eastern, to be the controlling agents in our lives. I am just making use of the occasion to write about the Snake.

 

When we were young, my siblings and I loved to play with snakes. We loved the colourful and long snakes. We laughed when one of us was bitten by a long snake. We thoroughly enjoyed playing with snakes. I am referring to the game of Snakes and Ladders.

 

Are you afraid of snakes? Have you ever been bitten by a snake? The apostle Paul was once bitten by a poisonous snake (Acts 28:3-6).

 

Indiana Jones is not the only one who dislikes snakes; in fact, many people share this fear. Snakes often give us the creeps because of their slimy, slithering nature. It’s hard to find any snake that can be considered cute. Unlike dogs and cats, which can be affectionate and make great pets, snakes are not seen in the same light. They are often perceived as unfriendly creatures, and some might joke that their only desire is to swallow you whole. While we may have our reasons for fearing them, we must remember that they are just being true to their nature as snakes.

 

In the Bible, snakes represent danger, evil, deceit, and devilishness. John called the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7). The viper is a beautiful snake. But beneath its beautiful and harmless appearance, it is very poisonous and deadly. John was implying the Pharisees and Sadducees were like vipers; they had the appearances of holiness, yet were full of the deadly poison of hypocrisy, malice, and error.

 

The snake (serpent) is the first animal to appear in the Bible: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made” (Genesis 3:1). The word “subtil” means “shrewd, crafty, sly, prudent” (BDB Hebrew Dictionary, e-sword).

 

It was a very clever snake, responsible for getting the whole human race into trouble (Genesis 3:1-24). In Revelation 12:9, it is referred to as “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.”

 

Even Jesus agreed that these creepy creatures are smart and tell us to learn from them: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

 

Wolves are cunning and dangerous. In this context, Jesus warned His disciples of the danger of the world they would be venturing out to preach to; their innocence (as sheep) would not protect them. They must be wise like serpents (snakes) while remaining harmless as doves. Snakes are very cautious. The wisdom of the snakes would save them from danger.

 

Generally, the more attractive the snake, the more dangerous it is. It is a lesson for us: “Don’t judge a “snake” by its appearance.” Red wine looks good and tastes good. It has all the appearance of a healthy drink. But God’s word warns: “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:31, 32).

 

Only alcoholics claim that wine is good for the heart. Which cardiologist would actually prescribe wine to a patient? The abuse of alcohol or drugs can have severe consequences. No level of alcohol consumption is considered safe for our health. Alcohol negatively impacts the heart, digestive system, brain, kidneys, and liver. The World Health Organization recently published a statement in The Lancet Public Health, that “when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.” According to The Lancet, the only truly “safe” level of drinking is zero.

 

Listen, God does not lie – alcohol is a poison: “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” “Adder” refers to a viper – beautiful but full of poison.

 

It is best not to take any chances with any snake. Remember, the more attractive the snake, the more dangerous it is. In the year of the snake, let us be wise as snakes but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).

Comments


bottom of page