Many of you are aware that I relocated from the urban environment to a more rural setting in the northern part of the state. This shift means encountering a greater abundance of wildlife compared to the city. Not to say there was none in the city, but the urban setting was certainly less inhabited by such creatures. Now to the story, a couple of weeks ago. I went over to Bishop’s house after church on that Sunday. Just to check upon him. When I pulled up, there was a snake by the house under the ramp. Not to my surprise, it is a common thing. At the same time, what did surprise me was the fact that they were ready to go to war. It was reminiscent of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. They brought all kinds of weaponry to get it. I said to myself, do you really need that many guns to kill one snake? They semi-boxed the snake under the ramp so he could not escape. I’m in the country now, it’s their favorite pastime. Hunting, it is what they do. However, Yet, beneath their exterior, it was evident that childlike enthusiasm for fun had taken over. After successfully cornering the snake, they proceeded to shoot it twice using a bolt-action, single-shot 22-long rifle. Astonishingly, this did not prove fatal. Their next move involved a 20-gauge break-action double-barrel shotgun. I knew this because I asked them what kind of Gun it was. They got into position and shot his head off. When that happened, they were able to pull the snake out from underneath the ramp, but his body was still moving even with two bullets still in him. We all knew that the head was gone but the snake’s body kept moving as if it was there. Nevertheless, we all knew that he was dead and after a while, they picked him up and threw him down the hill. He was no longer a threat because the head had been destroyed and just because he was moving around; he did not have any bite and was harmless.

We can draw a parallel to Genesis chapter 3:15, where God foretells that the serpent’s head would be bruised. This symbolic act unfolded through Jesus’ crucifixion, where Satan struck at His heel, signifying suffering and death. Yet, in rising again, Jesus dealt a blow to the serpent’s head. In this, Satan’s defeat was sealed. However, many who profess belief remain entrapped in the body’s movement, failing to recognize the serpent’s head has been vanquished. The power Satan once held over believers has been dismantled. Nonetheless, due to the lingering motion of the body, many find themselves gripped by fear and despair, entrapped in a realm of “alternative facts.” Thoughts like “I can’t,” “I’m unworthy of God’s love,” or “I’ll never break free from this addiction” entangle them. The devil is, after all, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Jesus has liberated you from the grip of sin and provided an avenue to freedom from bondage. Stand firm, therefore, in the liberty that Christ has bestowed, and resist once again being ensnared by the yoke of enslavement (Galatians 5:1). He has come so that you may experience abundant life (John 10:10). Take a moment to step back and internalize the serpent’s head is no more. Don’t fear those who can harm the body, but rather focus on the one who holds power over both body and soul, capable of eternal destruction (Matthew 10:28). The head has been bruised, stepped on and it is destroyed. So when the enemy comes in like a flood, realize that the serpent’s head is gone. Yet still more good news, your Head is still here. Christ, when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come.  And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1: 20-23).  In Psalms 24, David said, lift up your heads O ye gates and be lifted up the Everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in. That means, if you lift up your Head (God), his glory can come in and take over the wounded body of Satan and throw it down the hill from your life. There is no more bite and he is harmless if you remember that the serpent’s head is gone.