Do You Have a Serpent Trying to Wrap Itself Around Your Feet?

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD
He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in Him. ♔
Psalm 37:39-40

We often find ourselves in very difficult situations; one we seem to be stuck in. Suddenly there is adversity and conflict. We've been walking in God's will and everything was very clear, until this sudden hurdle appears before us. I often refer to it as a brick wall.

We're not moving forward. Why?

Is there an unwillingness or disobedience brewing? Is there resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness festering?

The wall can also come as a result of pride, fear, anger, shame, and a number of other attacks on our mind and heart.

It is easy to focus our thoughts on whatever outward influence we think may be creating the problem in our life. Maybe someone is 'doing something' to us or to our child. Maybe someone is 'not helping' in some way. We like to point fingers at others before looking within. Is there something going on with us? It takes really looking at how suddenly our heart shifted from a place of peace to one of chaos.

I was caught up in horrendous emotional chaos over the past few days. God will use others to create uncomfortable situations in our life. He does this to move us outside of our comfort zone, into His purpose for our life. In this, it is easy to get caught up in the circumstance causing us to be uncomfortable where we are at.

My emotional reaction became so overwhelming, I could not contain it. The tears would not stop and my heart was hurting terribly. A wall began to quickly rise up.

Or was it a black serpent tightening it's grip around my feet?

This is exactly what a dear friend discerned. This spiritual attack was indeed taking place and I was embracing those emotions instead of rebuking them.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - 2 Corinthians 10:5. In this Scripture, the three steps of the apostle's spiritual warfare are: (1) It demolishes what is opposed to Christ; (2) It leads captive; (3) It brings into obedience to Christ (Romans 1:5; 16:26). The "reasonings" are utterly "cast down." The "mental intents" are taken willing captives, and tender the voluntary obedience of faith to Christ the Conqueror.

Worshiping and glorifying God through these times, while trusting He will deliver us from these temptations and troubles, is the answer. And He did! God came and broke through the angst in my heart. He lifted the heaviness and shined His light into the areas of my heart that I did not protect. We are warned to guard our heart.

Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart;keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” Proverbs 4:4-9

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

By not guarding our heart and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we leave the door open for satan to do his work. When we entertain thoughts of unforgiveness, God will allow the tormentors to have their way until we humbly submit to God and repent of our sin.

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:34,35

Do not let the black serpent of sin wrap itself around your feet! It can hold you back from moving forward in your life's purpose. Instead, crush his head BENEATH your feet. For Jesus said unto those who believed upon Him: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” –Luke 10:19

The spiritual realm is very powerful and we can often confuse it with emotion. Truly, our own flesh can be our worst enemy. This is why we must put on the Armour of God daily and pray 'save me from myself'!


"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57

Sometimes we may let the actions of another cause us to lose control of our emotions. Before we do, it is important to remember that;

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8