In all the past and present cultures of the world, what animal would you think has been worshipped more than any other? Snakes (serpents)! And many of the stories about the revered snakes have been intertwined—figuratively and literally—with trees, women, paradise and coming to knowledge. Ring a bell?

The Aug. 19, 2006, issue of World Magazine had an article titled "Snakes on the Brain." The author, Marvin Olasky, points out many examples of reverence for snakes and what they supposedly represent.

The picture that may come to your mind is that of an Asian person squatting in front of a cobra praying or playing recorder or flute. But the worship of snakes and snake-gods has not been limited to the eastern hemisphere. The Toltecs, Mayans and Aztecs worshipped a "feathered serpent."

People who don't respect the Bible may say that these many traditions indicate that the story in Genesis 3 is just another variation of a fictional fable. But when there are similar traditions in many religions, it is much more logical to conclude that real historical events are the basis for these stories. It is not reasonable to conclude these are coincidences or far-flung cultures deciding to imitate one another.

Almost all the traditions are a little different, and some of them differ greatly from Genesis 3, but the special significance of serpents in virtually every country of the ancient world is amazing. We all know how stories get increasingly distorted as they are passed from person to person or from generation to generation.

The greatest perversion of the truth is that in many of the traditions, the snake is the hero instead of the villain! That's exactly what Satan would like for people to believe! It is reminiscent of the excitement over the recently discovered gnostic Gospel of Judas, in which Judas Iscariot is portrayed as a hero instead of a betrayer. Human nature is so contrary that people want to believe almost anything except the Bible!

All over the world, one can see myriad paintings and sculptures of snakes, sometimes with crowns. In many of the traditions, the snake is associated with immortal life ("you will not surely die"). Snakes periodically shed their skin, and some have associated that with casting off their mortality and being born again.

China and other cultures have emphasized "dragons." It makes us wonder if Satan once looked like a dragon with legs before God cursed the serpent and said, "On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life" (Genesis 3:14).

Some people worship Satan directly and some people worship snakes. People have worshipped and do worship many different things. Satan is satisfied as long as people worship anyone or anything other than the true God.

Satan is a master of deception and disguises. He "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). We must not be "ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Of course, Satan would not be such an effective deceiver if he always looked like a snake. In fact, he is terribly deceptive because he "transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Therefore, "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The next verse tells us the primary way we resist the devil: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

The ultimate solution will be the return of Jesus Christ when He will replace Satan as the ruler of this world. May that day come soon!

Every autumn we observe the Day of Atonement. One of the things it foretells is how Satan and the demons will one day be bound so they can no longer influence, deceive or tempt anyone (Revelation 20:1-3). This will take place shortly after Jesus Christ returns to the earth (Revelation 19).