Tread Boldly: Why Jesus Mentioned Serpents and Scorpions

Luke 10:19 (KJV):“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t read this verse and picture ourselves confidently marching over venomous creatures with our heads held high. We picture running. Fast. In the opposite direction. Because serpents and scorpions aren’t exactly house pets. They’re creepy, sneaky, and scream “DANGER!” the moment we spot them. But Jesus wasn’t telling His followers to fear them—He said, “Tread on them.” Not tiptoe. Not avoid. Tread.

And there’s a reason He picked these two creatures. It wasn’t a poetic accident. Serpents and scorpions are more than creepy crawlers. They're hand-picked symbols, chosen by Jesus Himself, to paint a picture of how we deal with the enemy: directly, boldly, and with power.

Serpents: A Symbol of Deception and Death

In the natural world, serpents live in hidden places—beneath rocks, camouflaged in dry brush, or deep in burrows. They move in silence, unseen until it's too late. Many strike with venom, silently injecting poison that works from the inside out. Others kill by constriction, wrapping tight around their prey until breath is gone.

They're instinctively feared for good reason. Cold. Silent. Lethal.

In Scripture, the serpent shows up early—in the garden. Satan chose it for a reason. The serpent deceives with whispers, not with roars. It slides into conversation, twists truth, and invites rebellion subtly. It represents lies, manipulation, pride, fear, and spiritual death. And just like in the natural world, it often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

They sneak in through thoughts, emotions, insecurities, and disguise themselves as "justified" feelings or "harmless" attitudes. You won’t always see it coming—bitterness, comparison, fear—they all slither in silence.

But Jesus says we don't sidestep the serpent. We don't tiptoe past it or act like it's not there. We tread. We walk directly over the thing that once held power over us, not in our strength, but in His. You don’t negotiate with deception. You crush it. Head high. Heel down. You walk right over it.

Romans 16:20 – “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.”

Scorpions: A Symbol of Pain, Torment, and Spiritual Attack

Scorpions dwell in dry, desolate places. They're not aggressive like lions—they wait. They strike from behind with their tail, injecting venom that doesn't always kill, but causes pain, confusion, and even hallucination. Some are nocturnal, waiting in shadows.

They represent the tormenting spirits that strike when you're vulnerable: fear, anxiety, shame, condemnation, and depression. These aren't attacks that come shouting from the front; they're sneak attacks meant to paralyze and confuse you.

But again, Jesus doesn't say you'll simply avoid them. He says you'll tread on them. You'll step on the very thing that used to sting you.

In Revelation 9:5, demonic torment is described as being like the sting of a scorpion. Scorpions represent spiritual torment, lingering pain, anxiety, depression, intimidation, and condemnation—the kind of spiritual pressure that’s invisible but intense.

You may be walking through life fine, and suddenly—WHAM—a memory, a thought, a fear comes from behind and stings you.  

But again, Jesus doesn’t say “beware” of them—He says tread. Tread on the things that torment. Tread on the lies that whisper at night. FACE IT! Step on the sting.

Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...”

Why Not Lions or Wolves?

Jesus could have said, "You'll tread on lions and wolves." It would have sounded bold and heroic. But lions roar. Wolves howl. They announce their presence. Serpents and scorpions don’t. They sneak in. They work in secret. And that’s exactly how the enemy often operates.

This is spiritual warfare not against the loud, obvious enemies but against the subtle, internal ones. The private battles. The thoughts that slither in. The lies that sting and leave you numb.

Jesus used these creatures on purpose to show us something critical: He has given you power over even the most hidden, personal, and painful attacks of the enemy.

Victory Looks Like Treading

It’s wild how God chose two of the most avoided creatures in the natural world to demonstrate power and dominion. Not just over “big bad evil,” but over the things that get under your skin. The stuff that slithers into your thoughts. The sting that tries to numb your purpose.

But Jesus didn’t say you’d dodge them. He said you’d tread on them.

And He followed it with this guarantee:

“…and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

What Does It Mean to Tread?

To tread is to step on something with force. It’s not passive. It means to move forward without fear, to walk like you know the ground beneath you has already been claimed.

Treading means walking in authority. It means putting pressure on what was pressuring you. It means declaring by your movement: "You don't own me anymore."

God Often Uses the Unlovely to Teach the Unshakable

Jesus didn’t shy away from the ugly things. He used a bronze serpent on a pole to represent healing (Numbers 21:9). He sent demons into pigs. He spoke of locusts, vipers, and scorpions. Why? Because He’s not afraid to expose darkness in order to reveal truth.

Even the creatures we avoid become His visual aids. 
Nothing is wasted in His teaching.

And One Day...

The Lion and the Lamb will lie down together. Peace will replace fear. The serpent will be crushed. And the sting of torment will be erased. But until then...

When the serpent whispers and the scorpion stings, we don’t shrink—we respond with boldness. Jesus didn’t just give us permission to tread—He gave us the Word of God as our sword (Ephesians 6:17).

Here are some common enemy whispers and the powerful Word-filled responses you can speak with authority:

Serpent says:

“You’re not good enough.”

🔥 You respond:

“I don’t have to be. Jesus is.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB): “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Ephesians 2:10 (CSB): “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”

You say, “I am chosen, crafted, and called—so slither back to where you came from.”

Scorpion stings:

“Don’t you feel depressed today?”

🔥 You respond:

“Feelings don’t get to lead me—truth does.”

Psalm 42:11 (CSB): “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Isaiah 61:3 (KJV): “To give them... the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

You say, “This heaviness isn’t mine—it’s illegal in my presence.” Then put on praise like a jacket and walk.

Serpent hisses:

“Look at you. You have no real friends.”

🔥 You respond:

“Jesus calls me friend. That’s the highest circle I’ll ever need.”

John 15:15 (KJV): “I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Psalm 68:6 (KJV): “God setteth the solitary in families.”

You say, “God places me exactly where I belong—and loneliness is not my identity.”

Scorpion whispers:

“You’ll always be stuck here.”

🔥 You respond:

“Not when God is my deliverer.”

Micah 7:8 (KJV): “When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Isaiah 43:19 (CSB): “Look, I am about to do something new... I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

You say, “This might be my location, but it’s not my destination.” Then step forward in faith—because treading is still progress.

You don’t flinch. You don’t run. You don’t hide.

You tread. Because He said you could. Because the threat is under your feet. Because the whisper won't win. Because the sting won't stick. And because power has already been placed in your step.

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.