The Way of the Serpent

The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 39 • August 15, 2025

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

(2 Corinthians 11:3, KJV)

SUBTILTY

We find the first mention of the word “serpent” (Satan) in Genesis chapter 3. Here we find him described as “subtil” (KJV spelling). Here we also find how his subtilty is carried out in his speech.¹

If we take a look at how “subtil” is used in the Bible, we will find that in all but one case² it is used in a negative context.³ Thinking about how this word is used for the people it is associated with, we see that they are people who possess the ability to deceive. More than this, they are able to plan and present things in such a light that they can move or redirect others into going down a path that they would otherwise avoid, all without them even being aware of what is happening - at least until it is too late and the end result of the subtle scheme has ensnared its victim.

Such is the way and the manner of Satan, who first worked through a serpent creature to manifest his subtilty. As a result, he has been identified and associated with this creature ever since. It is Satan who is truly the one that is more subtle than all.

VESSELS OF SUBTILTY

Some of these vessels certainly know what they are doing. Others, being deceived themselves, have no idea nor understanding of how the enemy is using them to pick off God’s people while they themselves are under the impression that they are helping others along as preachers of light and truth.

Such are the false prophets who have transformed themselves (whether they realize it or not) into apparent ministers of Christ by the influence of the principles and teachings of the most subtle of all God’s creation - Satan, the angel of “light.”⁴

THE WAY OF THE SERPENT (SATAN)

We see the serpent’s way being unfolded with Eve in the Genesis 3 narrative.

Genesis 3:1–6 (KJV)

¹Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD [JEHOVAH] God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

²And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

³But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

⁴And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

⁵For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1. ALLURE - First, he is approachable and charming. He has something about him which attracts the attention and draws the listener in for a closer look and further consideration, rather than raising immediate alarm bells which would send them running away in the other direction. (v1)

2. TRUTH - Secondly, he presents the word of God - the truth -⁵ in as pure of a form as he can, but with such a small and minor variation that it might remain undetected by those who are hearing his words. (v1)

3. DOUBT - Thirdly, once the listener affirms and confirms in their minds that a proper doctrine has been delivered by the false prophet, the serpent begins to cast doubt upon the character of God and past beliefs that the listener may have once held as dear truths. (v4)

4. NEW DOCTRINES - Fourthly, as the serpent slowly coils its body around his prey, ever so slightly and without enough pressure to cause alarm, doctrines of a new order are introduced. (v5)

5. ENSNARED - Lastly, if the hearer has remained for this long, despite any warnings, their hearts become set upon “the forbidden fruit.” They have believed a lie,⁶ given heed to a seducing spirit (rather than the Holy Spirit), and partake of the serpent’s doctrine.⁷ The serpent now squeezes its victim, the snare is fully deployed⁸ and the agonizing results of following the serpent’s way will ultimately be felt in one way or another. (v6)

PAUL’S REFLECTION

The apostle Paul hearkened back to the way of the serpent in Genesis 3 when he wrote to the Corinthian church. It is here, in 2 Corinthians 11, where Paul describes Satan as an angel of light and his ministers (those under his influence) in a similar way.⁹

As a result of being under the direct teachings of the apostles, the early churches had much light given to them. Today, after many centuries of deception and truths being lost, we find that much of it has been restored. In the light of these truths, we are able to discern false prophets more readily and are not under the same ignorance that past generations may have had on certain matters.¹⁰

FRUITS OF THE FALSE PROPHET

Following Paul’s concern about the members of Corinth falling prey to the serpent in the same way that Eve did,¹¹ he elaborates upon the false minister of light. Paul says that he (the false minister) will preach another Jesus,¹² not the literal only begotten Son¹³ of the one and only true God, the Father.¹⁴

With the teachings of this false prophet comes another (seducing) spirit¹⁵ than that of the true Holy Spirit - the spirit of Christ.¹⁶

Lastly, he warns that another gospel, having different doctrines, might be altogether received by the church members.

As Paul continued this appeal to the Corinthians, he brought out another point in chapter 12. He mentions that neither he nor Titus were a burden (financially) on the Corinthians.¹⁷ This point would stand in contrast to those who, though presenting themselves as ministers of light, would preach while being motivated for some monetary gain.

Paul also warns Titus about false prophets who are seeking for monetary gain (“filthy lucre”).¹⁸ Peter warns church elders that they be on guard against falling into the trap of preaching for purposes of gaining money rather than exhibiting a simple willingness to feed their flocks regardless of tithes, offerings, donations, and pay.¹⁹

One of the clearest signs of a false prophet is a bold, obvious, and unashamed way of continually asking for money (whether directly or indirectly) while they are “feeding the flock.”

CONTRAST

A servant of the Most High will trust Him that owns “the cattle upon a thousand hills”²⁰ to provide for his needs.²¹ Even if those means do come from his church body, his trust is in Jehovah to provide and not upon the members themselves.

A vessel that is walking in the way of the serpent will compel the consciences of men to give to his cause. He has no such confidence, nor can he, that Jehovah will provide for all his needs and ambitions.

FRUITS ARE RED FLAGS

How many bad fruits, as defined in scripture (another Jesus, another spirit, love of money - among others), must a person bring forth before they are disqualified as a leader or minister, and seen as a false prophet - a wolf behind the clothing of a sheep?

Can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit? Can a good tree bring forth corrupt fruit?²² Can a fountain send forth both bitter and sweet water?²³

Or, should all the red flags which they exhibit in their character be disregarded when there is some point of their message that interests us or that we believe to be truth?

Satan will always mix truth with error in an effort to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect.²⁴ Does not Jesus give us clear direction for how to recognize a wolf that is cloaked in the garb of a sheep by looking at his fruits?²⁵

If we ignore the fruits, we are left only with our own opinions and feelings, and thus we will unnecessarily and unwisely enter the dangerous and enchanted ground of the enemy.

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PRAYER

May God help us to be bonded together in brotherly love and truth, through the spirit of Christ, that we may be safe from getting picked off by the subtilty of Satan and his schemes. May He help us to discern ourselves or through our brethren when the work of a false prophet is at play in our midst.

God Bless,

Charles

SCRIPTURE INDEX / REFERENCES

1. Gen 3:1-5

2. Prv 1:4

3. Gen 3:1, 27:35; 1 Sam 23:22; 2 Sam 13:3; 2 Ki 10:19; Psa 105:25; Prv 7:10; Mt 26:4; Act 7:19, 13:10; 2 Cor 11:3

4. 2 Cor 11:13-15

5. Jn 17:17; 2 Tim 2:15

6. 2 Thes 2:11

7. 1 Tim 4:1

8. 2 Tim 2:26

9. 2 Cor 11:13-15

10. Act 17:30

11. 2 Cor 11:3

12. 2 Cor 11:4

13. Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:9

14. Jn 17:3; 1 Cor 8:6

15. 2 Cor 11:4; 1 Tim 4:1

16. Gal 4:6

17. 2 Cor 12:14-19

18. Ti 1:11

19. 1 Pt 5:2

20. Ps 50:10

21. Mt 6:33

22. Mt 7:17-18

23. Jas 3:11

24. Mt 24:24; Mk 13:22

25. Mt 7:15-20