Snake or Butterfly - Which one are you?

The Bible is full of lessons drawn from nature. Jesus himself often used such examples: he compared the Word of God to a seed (Luke 8:4–15) and the kingdom of heaven to a field that had been sown (Matthew 13:24). If even the sluggard can watch the ant and become wise (Proverbs 6:6), then we can all observe creation and draw profound lessons from it. Paul himself confirms this: “Does not nature itself teach you?” (1 Corinthians 11:14).

It is in this spirit that I share with you today a truth that nature has taught me—a lesson rooted in this foundational text:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Take note: this is not merely a change. It is a metamorphosis. To illustrate this, I’ve studied two animals that undergo transformation: the snake and the caterpillar. Their differences reveal two types of Christians.

🐍 The Snake: The Superficial Christian

The snake undergoes molting—a process by which it sheds its old skin to produce a new one. Impressive on the surface. But let’s take a closer look at what actually changes: After molting, the snake does not become a new creature. It remains a snake. Did it crawl before? It still crawls. Did it feed on other animals? Nothing has changed. Only the skin is new; the animal itself remains the same.

This picture reminds me of a painful reality in our Christian communities. Some believe that being a Christian means attending church; they receive the Word, but do not allow it to transform their hearts (Romans 12:2). They take on a new religious appearance, but then return to the same habits, the same sins, and the same destructive behaviors toward others. Scripture describes this phenomenon with a striking image:

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11

The serpent is the Christian who, after conversion, returns to what he has vomited. A new skin. But the same heart.

🦋 The Caterpillar: The Transformed Christian

The caterpillar, however, isn’t content with a superficial change. It undergoes a radical process—metamorphosis—and emerges as a butterfly. 

Not only more beautiful, but fundamentally different. A different creature. A different life. 

Two striking contrasts speak directly to us:

First, where the caterpillar crawled on the ground, the butterfly takes flight. When we crawl, we are on the ground, so we are surrounded by all that is lowly: lies, immorality, greed… But the butterfly flies; it is no longer held back by the earth. This is exactly what Isaiah 40:31 evokes, and what Ephesians 2:6 affirms: God “has seated us in the heavenly realms.” The true child of God is lifted above what once bound them.

Second, whereas the caterpillar destroyed its environment by devouring leaves and flowers, the butterfly blesses it. By gathering nectar, it carries pollen, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to the health of the ecosystem. Its very presence is a sign of life. This is how a child of God should be: not a source of destruction, but a blessing to those around them. “A child has been born to us, a son has been given to us.” — Isaiah 9:6

Those who are born again are called to become a gift to others. Not a burden—a gift.

What kind of transformation are you demonstrating?

As you finish reading this article, I invite you to ask yourself this question honestly: What kind of transformation am I demonstrating in my Christian life?

If it’s that of a butterfly, keep going without giving up—you’re on the right path. If it’s that of a snake, it’s not too late. Ask God for forgiveness, and implore Him to grant you the grace of true change. 

Immerse yourself in His Word, for it is what truly transforms (Romans 12:2). And if you don’t know what kind of transformation you’ve experienced, perhaps you’ve never experienced one. But that’s not inevitable. The right decision is available to you today: accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and begin your true metamorphosis. If it is your desire to make this decision, I invite you to join me in this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You today as my Lord and my

Savior. Change my life and transform it. Amen!” ”

Here you are, leaving the caterpillar stage behind. Here you are, ready to live—as a butterfly.

See you soon

God Bless🙏🏾

#Dave Jr