Exposing the Snakes

[nebula]

There is something I've been wanting to post for a long time, but was hesitant to because I was afraid that some people would lose the message for having issues with the source of the info. Oh well, risks have got to be taken some time in life, right?

Anyway, I was reading a book called Snakes in the Lobby by Scott MacLeod. It's a *gasp* vision (OK, there I said it!) he had concering the Christian music industry. But in reading it, I found there are lessons here for us all, for it is not just the Christian music industry that is overrrun by these snakes.

The snakes, of course, are various types of sin - more specifically, principalities and dark powers - and the lobby is a hotel lobby for a Christian music conference (just for context).

Instead of going into how everything unfolds, I just thought I'd present aspects of what was revelealed. I hope that's OK.

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The Big Grey

Six feet high in the middle, probably 20 feet in length, at least it covered the room. It was stuffed, and people were leaning against it. It's coils were wrapped around everywhere. It's face had a holoow and all-consuming look - HUNGER. The snake feeds on people, and the people cannot tell they have been swallowed. The victims are consumed with the same goal of the snake, that to become BIGGER.

This snake is "Self-Promotion."

The Charmer

Beautiful-looking with ever-changing colors and could take on the appearance of whatever yiu wanted it to (male, female, young, old, innocent, or seductive). It swayed back and forth in an hypnotic dance. People were flirting and dancing with it and each other. Those bitten by the snake had forked tongues identical to the snake's and spoke deceptive flattery to one another. They realized they could use the power from this snake to gain attention and power to themselves. Many of Self-Promotion's victims had first been bitten by this one. The venom is addictive; when one is bitten by this one there is a high, but followed by sickness, and so the victim returns to be bit again. The poison-consumed victims were in turn biting others and spreading the poison.

This snake is "Lust."

Two Snakes

A red and a yellow snake were intertwined. They were spinning together producing an uneasy sound in a never-ending mating ritual, all the while biting and feeding off each other and reproducing after their kind. Their victims kept turning from yellow to red and back again.

The yellow snake is "Insecurity."

The red snake is "Pride."

This love-hate relationship was reflected in the victims, as insecurity made them feel miserable but pride kept them from admitting it, not wanting to look weak, insecure, or unsuccessful. Spinning back and forth: pride, insecurity, pride, insecurity, . . . .

Flesh for Scales

Human flesh with a human head and entangled among the feet of the people. Those whose feet were wrapped in its coils were paralyzed with fear. The snake just lay there with its human-like head moving back and forth. Those who had been victimized by this snake were doing the same: looking back and forth, concerned with who was who and how others perceived them.

This snake is "Fear of Man."

Up High

Bright green and wrapped around the balcony above everyone. It breathed heavily with fire in its eyes and a burning inside. It breathed a mist filling the room with a fog of competition. It gave people the same fire that was burning in its eyes, and they would attack and tear down those in high places in order to obtain those places for themselves. Many of these became victims of Self-Promotion as well.

This snake is "Jealousy."

On the Sidelines

Groups of people were standing on the sides of the room, out of reach of the great serpents. They could tell something was wrong and were talking among themselves and pointing to the center of the room and noticeably upset about what was going on and how people conducted themselves. But around their feet were hundreds of small snakes, the offspring of Pride and Insecurity. Although looking harmless, they kept biting these people with small doses of poison. An accumulation of poisons caused spiritual blindness, and victims would waltz up to the great serpents, where they became easy prey.

The poisons of these little snakes are "Bitterness," "Criticism," "Unforgiveness," "Self-Pity," and "Self-Righteousness."

The White Snake

Almost invisible or transparent at first, but upon focusing the eyes on it, it could be seen: a totally white, brilliantly gleaming snake, smaller than the other great ones but still large, suprisingly pleasant and very placid, with a fuzzy light radiating from it and filling the room. It appeared good, almost perfect, respectable and attractive, with an inviting yet strange smile on its face and eyes half-opened.

But upon closer look, its smile was a smug grin containing horrid deception and evil. Its albino-red eyes hid an overwhelming and unquenchable thirst for power and control. All the other snakes were hidden within and by this one. As each evil was expose, its true size was revealed to be much larger, about six times what was originally seen.

This snake has the power to cause people to do evil, tolerate it, in belief that they are doing right and even doing service to God.

It's spell caused the the viewer to lose sight of all he had seen and fall prey to the other snakes.

In confessing his sin - unbelief and fear of man, and of judging others, the victims in the lobby - he was set free.

This snake is the spirit of "Religion."

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There is more to the book, more deception revealed, but so much more life revealed as well. I chose to post these because as I had read this, it exposed the sin in my own heart, and led me to cry for God's mercy and redemption. There is hope for salvation, yes, but salvation comes through repentance.

I John 1:5 - 2:2

5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Grace be with you!

[tsth]

Yes, it is very applicable, on many levels today.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[WayneB]

Good post Neb...and it does make you think. I believe in visions and dreams --- they are both Biblical. Regardless, it does make you more aware of the importance of keeping the Full Armor of God (all 7 pieces)on at all times (and maybe add some snake repellant).

devil's schemes = snakes with sin as the result!

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes . 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness  that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith , with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation  and the sword of the Spirit , which is the word of God . 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

God Bless,

Wayne

[hazel]

That applies across the board, Neb. Thanks for posting it.

[Adstar]

Good post nebula :il:

All praise The Ancient Of Days

[angels4u]

Very good post, thanks for posting it!

This snake is the spirit of "Religion." How true!

Angels

[Guest dove2]

Snakes always remind me of sin.

[Fewarechosen7F]

Knowing how to recognise "vipers" is very important these days. It helps to avoid being "bitten."

Very appropriate, Neb,

Thanks.

[Guest Unworthy Servant]

This is a great post with a lot of truth in it for today

Thank you my friend for saying it even though you were kind of hestitant to do so. A post like this is just God's way of putting truth in front of our eyes to judge it for what it is.

There are so many things that are like that, just as you all have said, it deals with things on many different levels. It is important that we become aware of those things around us on all sides. I am reminded of the slick presentations of things as being snake like too. I am remeinded that there is what would be thought of as man's wisdom involved in a snake like phlosophy of what real truth is. I am remeinded that God tells us to be as wise as a serpant, but as innocent as a dove. I am reminded that we must focus our whole herat mind and soul upon Him as we seek that all important growth that will lead us past the point of being fooled by these things.

Great work in the Lord brother , may you richly bless God through your life in Him;

The Unworthy Servant