In the midst of
misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, fake news and outright lies,
critical thinking must prevail for one to avoid being involved in doing stupid
things. The following article comes from amyreesanderson.com/blog - an
illustration of – What?
“The other day
someone sent me a survival tip on what to do if you encounter an Anaconda, the
largest snake in the world - here is what they sent to me: The US Peace Corps
train their workers to deal with any kind of eventuality they might meet in the
field, and since they work in the jungles of South America, it’s quite possible
that they might encounter an Anaconda, the largest snake in the world. A
full-grown Anaconda is not just a snake. It is a telegraph pole with a temper!
It takes 10 men to carry one - if it is in a good mood. Here are the
instructions in one of the Peace Corps’ manuals, posted on the Internet:1) If
you are attacked by an Anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than you are.
Don’t try to outrun it. 2) Lie flat on the ground. Put your arms tight against
your sides and your legs tight against one another. 3) Tuck in your chin. 4)
The snake will come and begin to nudge and will climb about your body. 5) Do
not panic. 6) After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from
the feet, always the feet. Permit the snake to swallow your feet and ankles. Do
not panic. 7) The snake will begin to suck your legs into its body. You must
lie perfectly still. This will take a long time. 8) When the snake has reached
your knees, slowly and with as little movement as possible reach down, take
your knife and very gently slide it into the side of the snake’s mouth, between
the edge of its mouth and your leg. Then suddenly rip upwards, severing the
snake through the top of the head. 9) Be sure you have your knife. 10) Be sure
your knife is sharp. Of course, if you get to number nine, or even ten,
and find you’ve forgotten your knife, or that it’s blunt, the rest doesn’t
really matter!”
“After I read
it, I had to go online to see if there was any truth at all to this being an
actual instruction from the Peace Corp because I frankly didn’t believe it was
real, and sure enough it wasn’t. However, in looking it up I found that there
was actual advice out there on what to do when you encounter this snake, and it
said to run away…and then avoid it! Now that seems like much better advise to
me… Because life is full of “anacondas” of different types – temptations of
every kind – so when you come upon one of these “snakes” don’t just lie down
and wait to be eaten, hoping you have a knife that’s going to be sharp enough
to save you…RUN! And do everything in your power to avoid the snakes!!!”
[Hebrews
5:12-14] In the midst of spiritual misinformation, disinformation, propaganda,
fake news and outright lies, critical thinking in God’s Word must prevail for
one to grow in the faith of God’s grace. “…solid food (the defining truth of
God’s Word) belongs to those who are full age (those who faithfully study God’s
Word), that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.” Spiritually, we have enemies out to do us harm.
“Be sober (think clearly), be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). So, how
are we to survive this onslaught? “…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will
flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).
Look it up! The survival code to guide us from being eaten alive by the evil
intents of this world are found in God’s Word. Evil cannot enter into the
presence of God, and we must answer one day to His judgement (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Failing to resist the evils of this world will keep us separated from God for
eternity. Don’t forget your sword (Ephesians 6:13-17)!!!
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