Debunking Myths of the Bible — Part 2: The Serpent Was Never Evil — It Was Power Misunderstood

Myth: “The serpent in the Garden of Eden is the devil, the ultimate evil tempter who led humanity into sin.”

Truth: The serpent is a symbol of creative power and desire—misunderstood and feared, but actually essential for transformation and awakening.

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🐍 The Serpent in Eden: Not the Enemy, But the Catalyst

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.”
— Genesis 3:1

Traditional Christianity often paints the serpent as Satan, the evil deceiver who ruined humanity’s perfect existence.

But symbolically—and especially through Neville Goddard’s teachings—the serpent is the force of desire and imagination awakening awareness.

• The serpent’s subtlety reflects the quiet, inner promptings of imagination.

• It invites Eve to question the static ‘good and evil’ mindset and to explore creative freedom.

• The ‘forbidden fruit’ is symbolic of knowing oneself as the creator—beyond imposed limits.

The “fall” is not a moral failure but a necessary awakening to the power within.

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🩹 The Serpent Lifted: From Curse to Healing

“And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”
— Numbers 21:9

This episode echoes the Eden story but shows a transformation in understanding.

• The serpent on the pole is no longer the enemy, but a symbol of healing.

• It represents facing and embracing your own power and desires.

• Looking upon the serpent lifts you out of pain—when you accept your creative ability instead of fearing it.

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🕊️ Jesus and the Serpent: The Ultimate Symbol of Divine Power

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”
— John 3:14

Jesus references the serpent to reveal a profound truth:

• He must be “lifted up” (crucified and glorified) to bring healing and awakening.

• Like the serpent, Jesus symbolizes the creative power of imagination lifted into full awareness.

• The “lifted serpent” is a metaphor for embracing your inner divine power, even if it feels dangerous or misunderstood.

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✨ Reclaiming the Serpent Within

The serpent myth is about our relationship with desire and imagination:

Traditional View	Symbolic/Neville View
The serpent = evil tempter	The serpent = creative power and desire
Temptation leads to sin and curse	Temptation leads to awakening and transformation
The serpent must be rejected or defeated	The serpent must be embraced and understood
Power is dangerous and to be feared	Power is sacred when consciously assumed

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🔑 The Key to Transformation

Instead of fearing your desires or viewing imagination as “sinful,” Neville’s teachings invite you to embrace your inner serpent—your creative fire—and assume the feeling of the fulfilled desire.

This is the true way back to Eden:

• Awaken to your power.

• Stop fearing your own imagination.

• Use desire consciously to shape your reality.