“What we tolerate quietly will eventually control us openly.”
There are battles in life that we are expected to fight- money, health, circumstances, life issues.
Then there are the silent battles, the ones we don’t see that coil around our progress, slowly but surely draining our energy, and sabotaging our future without even making a sound.
Three of our most destructive are not external enemies.
They are internal patterns, and each has a name. They are:
- Perversion (aka Lust) – our uncontrolled desires;
- Procrastination (aka Sloth) – where we delay obedience and put off actions;
and then we have
- Fantasy (our Escape from Reality) – that place where we live imagined lives and futures while neglecting our present responsibility
These three “snakes” don’t strike loudly or violently, instead they constrict quietly and slowly.
This post is about recognizing them; understanding their grip; and learning how to walk free– spiritually, mentally, and practically.
So, why do we call Them “Snakes”?
Because snakes as we know it:
Always hide before they attack, tighten their grip gradually, and cut off life and breath quietly
Song of Solomon 2:15 states “The little foxes spoil the vine.” –
These issues don’t usually destroy a person overnight.
Instead, they destroy our momentum, our discipline, our clarity, and then our purpose over time.
Snake #1: Perversion (also called Lust) — When Desire takes over the Driver’s Seat
Lust is unrestrained desire – it’s not just about sexuality, It covers a multitude of other areas.
Such things like a lust for validation, a lust for attention, a lust for power and a lust for comfort
It is a desire that knows no boundaries. James 1:1 says
“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own desire and enticed.” –
Modern Manifestations
In today’s world it manifests itself in:
- Endless scrolling,
- Pornography
- Emotional affairs
- Dopamine addiction (likes, validation, novelty)
- Consuming instead of creating
What makes it Dangerous
Lust works to weakens self-control; short-circuits discipline, hijacks attention and replaces purpose with pleasure
1 Corinthians 6:12 states “I will not be mastered by anything.”
The best ways to Overcome Lust
· Spiritually by guarding what you see and consume (Psalm 101:3); and by replacing the toxic areas of our lives that perpetuate it,
Don’t just remove, eliminate totally (Philippians 4:8)
· Practically by reducing idle time, by limit our digital and physical triggers and
by build routines that engage both body and mind.
· Mentally by asking “What am I escaping?”
Snake #2: Procrastination (also known as Sloth) — Delayed Obedience in Disguise
Procrastination is not solely laziness, no it’s much more than that, its postponed responsibility, often masked as:
“I’ll do it when I’m ready” or “I need more information” or “I’m waiting for the right time”
Proverbs 6:6 states “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.”
Why procrastination feels safe
It feels safe because we experience no immediate failure, no immediate discomfort, and no immediate need for accountability
But safety today becomes stagnation tomorrow.
The Price we pay for Procrastination
Procrastination results over time in lost opportunities, in eroded confidence and in compounded regret
Ecclesiastes 11:4 tells us “Whoever watches the wind will not plant.” —
How do we overcome Procrastination?
Practically by break tasks into small actions, by starting before you feel ready, (let’s face it- we’ll never be ‘ready’) and by creating deadlines (even personal ones) that will hold us accountable
Mentally by replacing “someday” with “today”, by measuring progress, not perfection, a little always goes a long way.
Spiritually by walking in obedience
Deuteronomy 28:12 says “Obedience activates momentum”
👉 What is one thing you’ve been delaying that you could start today—imperfectly?
Snake #3: Fantasy — Living in the Dream instead of the Discipline
What Fantasy really looks like
Fantasy isn’t vision, it’s a prolonged escapism, it’s imagined success without any present responsibility.
It says stuff like
- “One day I’ll…”
- “When things change…”
- “If only I had…”
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and count the cost?” — Luke 14:28
How Fantasy Sabotages Growth
Fantasy derails us by consuming time that should be spent in execution; it replaces planning with daydreaming and fools us into believing we are productive when in fact we are producing nothing
Fantasy vs Vision
Vision Fantasy
Requires real work Avoids all work
Is grounded in reality Is detached from reality
Includes discipline Avoids discomfort
Produces progress Produces stagnation
How do we break Free?
By write goals with deadlines, by attaching daily actions to dreams and
by asking “What does today require?”
James 2:17 declares “Faith without works is dead.”
How these three Snakes work Together
Lust drains focus, procrastination delays action and fantasy replaces effort.
Together, they create motion without movement.
The Way Forward: Freedom is Built, not Found
Freedom doesn’t come from motivation alone, it comes from daily restructuring.
Here’s a Simple Framework to be able to walk in Freedom
- Control Inputs (what you watch, read, consume)
- Commit to Small Actions (daily consistency)
- Anchor Vision in Reality (plans, not wishes)
- Invite Accountability
- Practice Self-Leadership
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” — 1 Timothy 4:7
👉 Which snake do you need to confront first—desire, delay, or illusion?
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THOUGHT-PROVOKING CLOSE
The enemy of your future is rarely dramatic,
It is often strategic, comfortable, familiar, and most of all quiet.
Freedom doesn’t begin when circumstances change.
It begins when you decide to change.
Learn to identify and kill these snakes early- or they will tighten and destroy you later.
Joshua 24:15 “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
You are the only one who can make that decision. The decision to be Free.