White snakes

I had a dream that we were living with a white snake in our home. It wasn’t the actual home we live in now but in the dream it was as if it was our home. The snake was enormous in size, it lived with us and we would go on about life as if everything was normal. Nobody seemed to be uncomfortable, bothered or offended by its presence. One day, in the dream, I got really angry and asked the people I was living with if I was the only one who was not happy with this white snake we were living with, was I the only one who didn’t want it around? They responded to me by saying “oh there’s nothing wrong with this one because it’s white”. 

When I woke up the next morning, I was extremely disturbed and my spirit was troubled because I wondered if there was such a thing as snakes that aren’t a threat to our lives simply on the basis of what colour they are. I discussed the dream with my fiancé and my mum and we came down to the conclusion that no, A SNAKE IS A SNAKE!

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike[a] your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 NLT

This verse describes the kind of relationship which is meant to exist between man and snakes. A relationship of striking each other. At Out for Christ Ministries International, our theme for the year 2023 is “Strike 7 times” which Apostle ST Manyika was given by God, is derived from 2 King 13:19. To me this theme means to do things unto completion, until you have victory and have conquered. In this season of striking 7 times, you must understand that there are things which are also trying to strike you.

When a snake strikes you, it releases a poisonous venom which is meant to weaken you or even to kill you. We see this with Samson and Delilah (Judges 13-16). Delilah was Samson’s White snake. Samson was a mighty warrior of God. The secret to Samson’s God given strength lied in his hair. His mother was told that the secret to his strength was to never be disclosed to anyone and as Samson grew older he also became aware of this. But Samson had a lust issue and he fell “in-love” with Delilah. Delilah managed to slither her way until she convinced Samson to expose the secret behind his strength to her. Snakes are cunning. Delilah handed Samson over to his enemies and they cut off his hair, leaving him weak. Upon his final act of strength Samson died alongside his enemies. That is what snakes do, they leave you weak and eventually dead! 

With Samson it was more of carelessness, he was aware that no one was supposed to know this secret and Delilah was a Philistine woman, the Philistines were an enemy. In relating with her he should have known her agenda would come out soon. He forgot that a snake waits to strike. He was playing with something that was dangerous. Something can look very good but as long as it is a snake, its nature will manifest soon.

In my dream the snake appeared white. White is a holy colour which represents purity, goodness, innocence, cleanliness and honesty. So because the snake was white nobody thought it was harmful but a snake is a snake. There are things in our lives which appear to be innocent because of the way they appear, but their true nature is dangerous. 

When I spoke to my father Apostle ST Manyika he added that white snakes are the subtle things. Their whiteness represents things we cannot see or things we can justify when measured up against others. You can justify a blood relation but that blood relation could be your downfall. Abraham was told to leave his own people/family, does God want us to hate the people around us? No, this is about influence. The subtle things we disregard which cause us to not be able to operate to our full capacity and potential in Christ. As Christian’s sometimes we justify ourselves by even comparing our sins when we measure them according to our own standards. However, God’s standards are quite different from ours.

Recently at a Youth conference we were taught by Apostle ST Manyika to ask ourselves questions, examine yourself. There are subtle things that are an abomination to God. Proverbs 6:16–19 lists seven things which are also abominations: "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” For example we can convince ourselves that lying is not as bad as murder because lies can be subtle whereas murder is blatant but both are still things which God hates the same.

Some relationships be it romantic, friendly or even family can be white snakes in our lives. You’d never think that your lover, Delilah, would be the one to betray you but anything that is not from God or approved by God is a white snake in your life. When something is not from God, it can do anything to you. Especially when you entertain it. However, when something is from God it is answerable to Him and it will be a good thing (Jeremiah 29:11). Did God approve that friendship? Did God approve that lover? Does God want you to spend time with that family member? Are they a good influence? Did you run it by God? If not then you are in danger and they’ll leave you weak and dead. Even if it’s not a physical death it could be a spiritual death where you are so far away from God and are exposed to the enemy.

There are people who are so discouraging, whenever you share your dreams with them they tell you that you cannot achieve them. Now instead of believing that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, you are discouraged by this dream killer, by this promise killer. They are weakening you and that is what snakes do. You’d never think your friend or family would want to harm you, pray that God reveals the things and people you need to get rid of to you. Getting rid of someone or something can simply mean managing the relationship as well. It’s difficult to get rid of family but if they are poisonous to your life you have to be a bit more selective of the things you share with them and the things you involve them in.

The music you listen to, the conversations you have with the people around you, the places you go to and the habits you possess. Do they bring glory to the Father? Or are they feeding you poison. You think that some of these associations are harmless but in Psalms 1 we are told that when you do not walk, stand or sit with the ungodly, sinners or scornful you are blessed. The opposite of blessed is to be cursed, so when you do the opposite and associate with them you will be cursed. Some of you think it’s okay because you don’t participate in the things that they do but the word of God doesn’t say you are blessed when you don’t do what they do, you are blessed when you do not simply walk, stand, and sit with them. It goes on to say when you delight in the law of Lord you will be like a tree by the riverbank, and we know that by the riverbank there is an endless supply of water meaning you will forever be nourished and continuously grow in the Lord.

I encourage all of us to assess our surroundings. Pray for discernment and wisdom. We speak like it’s easy, like it’s easy to leave that job that is paying you, or to stop listening to that music you enjoy, or to stop spending time with that person you love so much. It is not easy especially when you have invested time and energy, pray that God gives you strength to make the right decisions. Don’t end up like Samson, where the spirit of the Lord departs from you because of your sin and disobedience, ending up weak and dead. Surround yourself with people and things which love you and strengthen you. Adopt and practice a godly lifestyle which guarantees you of blessings and not curses. Don’t be caught in the crossfire of the wicked. There’s no need to hate people, but some need to be loved from a distance. Pray for them but do not be influenced by them. Create an environment that allows you to operate to your maximum in Christ, an environment which allows God to move powerfully in your life. 

God bless you