The Scent of a Snake

In the middle of the night, I woke up with one question on my heart:

“Why does the snake keep returning to the same place around my porch?”

As I looked into it, I learned that many snakes will return to familiar areas because the environment meets their needs. They use visual landmarks, physical barriers, and even chemical cues in their surroundings to help navigate back to places they’ve been before.

As I prayed, I felt the Lord using this as a spiritual picture.

The Bible calls Satan “that ancient serpent” (Revelation 12:9). Just as a snake may return to familiar places, the enemy often comes back to familiar patterns, familiar wounds, familiar temptations, and familiar places where we’ve struggled before.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

— 1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever noticed that the same temptation seems to circle back? The same thought. The same addiction. The same insecurity. The same fear.

The enemy is persistent.

He looks for places that haven’t been surrendered to the Lord—dark places, hidden places, places we’ve grown comfortable returning to.

That’s why Scripture tells us:

“Neither give place to the devil.”

— Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)

Sometimes we pray for freedom while still living in the same environment that feeds our struggle.

Maybe it’s time to clean up the places that keep drawing you back.

Maybe it’s changing your routine.

Maybe it’s changing your environment.

Maybe it’s changing the voices you’re listening to.

Maybe it’s changing the habits that leave the door open.

The wonderful news is that Jesus never grows tired of meeting us there.

His grace isn’t limited by how many times we’ve stumbled.

His mercy isn’t exhausted because we’ve returned to the same battle.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

— 1 John 1:9

I know this because I’m living proof.

The life that once felt filled with defeat, sadness, shame, and never feeling like enough has been transformed by Jesus into a life filled with peace, joy, purpose, freedom, and acceptance.

Not because I became perfect.

Because He is faithful.

Another fascinating fact is that snakes have an extraordinary sense of smell. They use their tongues to gather tiny scent particles from the air and ground, helping them understand what surrounds them.

Again, I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual picture.

What “atmosphere” surrounds your life?

What fills your home?

What fills your conversations?

What fills your mind?

What are you continually feeding your spirit?

If we want different fruit, sometimes we need a different environment.

Sometimes freedom begins with new friendships.

New habits.

New worship.

New time in God’s Word.

New surrender.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

— Romans 12:2

Is change a process?

Absolutely.

Does Jesus walk with us every step?

Without question.

Sanctification is a journey, but He never leaves us to walk it alone.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 1:6

You are not defined by your greatest failure.

You are not your addiction.

You are not your temptation.

You are a son or daughter of the King.

You are deeply loved.

You are fully seen.

He is Jehovah El Roi—the God who sees you.

“You are the God who sees me.”

— Genesis 16:13

So don’t keep fighting yesterday’s battles with yesterday’s mindset.

Fight back with the Word of God.

Fight with truth.

Fight with worship.

Fight with prayer.

Fight by staying close to Jesus.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

— James 4:7

The serpent may try to return to familiar ground.

But your life doesn’t have to remain familiar territory for him.

Let Jesus transform the atmosphere.

Let Him renew your mind.

Let Him change the environment of your heart.

And watch what happens when the places that once held darkness become places filled with the light of Christ.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5

What familiar place has the enemy kept trying to revisit in your life?

Is it fear?

Shame?

An addiction?

Bitterness?

Lust?

Unforgiveness?

Anxiety?

The enemy loves familiar territory, but Jesus came to make you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You don’t have to keep living in the same cycle. Freedom is found in Him, one surrendered step at a time.

Maybe today your next step is to forgive. Maybe it’s to ask for help. Maybe it’s to turn off what has been feeding your flesh and spend time in God’s presence instead. Whatever it is, take that step today. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength to keep walking.

The serpent may try to return, but it doesn’t have to find a home in your life anymore.

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving us even when we stumble. Thank You that Your mercy is new every morning and Your grace is always enough. Search our hearts and reveal any place we have allowed the enemy to find familiarity. Shine Your light into every dark place and give us the courage to fully surrender it to You.

Renew our minds with Your truth. Help us change the environments, habits, and relationships that pull us away from You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can resist temptation and walk in freedom.

Remind us that we are not defined by our past but by the finished work of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven, redeemed, chosen, and deeply loved. Let our lives reflect Your goodness so others may find hope and freedom in You.

We declare that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and we choose to submit ourselves to You, knowing that as we resist the devil, he must flee (James 4:7).

In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Written by: Jamie Dales-Reynolds (Crystal Komala's long time friend and prayer partner)