Forthright Magazine
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross


COLUMN: Field Notes

Falling Under the Charm
by Michael Brooks

"The coming of the lawless one is according to the
working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying
wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among
those who perish, because they did not receive the
love of the truth, that they might be saved. And
for this reason God will send them strong
delusion, that they should believe the lie, that
they all may be condemned who did not believe the
truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2
Thessalonians 2:9-12).

The image of the snake charmer playing his flute
as the hooded cobra slowly rises and sways to his
command is one of the most recognizable symbols of
the exotic East. Tourists love to take his
picture, and even the native people are fascinated
with his skill. Part of the allure is the
paradoxical horror/attraction in which humans hold
reptiles, especially large, dangerous snakes. Part
of it is the mystery of the power that the charmer
wields over his subject. And part of the
fascination to Westerners may be the strange,
unfamiliar sounds and sights of the music, the
clothing, and the other trappings of the craft.

India's snake charmers are not the first or the
best at the task of beguiling and enslaving
subjects. This is a craft that Satan has mastered
from the beginning of creation. Just as the flute
player first captivates the snake with his tunes,
then directs his behavior, so Satan entices only
to control. There are other things which the snake
charmer has in common with the master deceiver.

First, there is the method of deception itself. I
don't know that the snake charmer actually
deceives his primary subject, the snake. But it is
certain that he often deceives his human audience.
Much of their awe is because of his apparent risk
in handling such deadly reptiles. The truth is
that in most cases the snakes have been de-fanged
and are not actually dangerous. In Satan's case
the deception is usually the reverse of this. He
persuades us that what he invites us to do is
wholesome and not dangerous at all, when it fact
it is deadly and destructive. He uses "all power,
signs, and lying wonders" to entice us to our
doom.

Secondly, the snake's trance before the music of
the flute is illustrative of the hypnotic power of
sin. James describes this power in the following
words,

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by
his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, brings forth death" (James
1:14,15).

Sin is addictive, with the power to enslave us.
But, unlike the snake, humans must first consent
to be enslaved. Satan can only entice us -– he
cannot take us captive against our will. We first
entertain the idea of sin (desire), then sample
the product (sin), then succumb to the power of
Satan (death).

Finally, the snake charmer illustrates the disdain
and contempt for his subjects that Satan displays
in full measure. Researchers have discovered that
the average life-span of a cobra in captivity to a
snake-charmer is only a few weeks. The charmer
obviously knows this and spends much time in
acquiring replacements. When a new snake is
captured, his imminent death is sealed. By looking
on from afar, the observer might conclude that
there is an affinity, a partnership between
charmer and subject. That is delusion. The charmer
is killing his captive, and shows no regret or
sorrow for his actions. So Satan entices mankind
to its doom, knowingly and deliberately. It is not
for our benefit or even pleasure that he offers
his "treats." Rather it is for the express purpose
of alienating us from God and eternal life. He is
"a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1
Peter 5:8). Unlike the snake, however, we may
resist and escape through the grace and power of
God and the blood of Jesus.

----
What's your reaction to this article? Tell us here:
http://www.forthright.net/field_notes/falling_under_the_charm.htm
----

You can help us get the word out. Here's how:
http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.htm