I hate snakes. A simple garden snake will make me jump out of my boots. When I was a boy, I had a bucket of snakes dumped on me, and any tolerance I had for them died then. I have had folks tell me about how good they can be, but the only good snake I ever saw was a dead snake. They always seem to be where I am, which is often outdoors, in the sticks, and around rocks.
In the US, rattlesnakes bite more humans than any other snake. Not so surprising considering Genesis 3, there are some attributes that rattlesnakes share with Satan.
First, unless you enter its space, a rattler cannot harm you. So stay away! My wife suggests screaming and running.
Proverbs 4:14-15 – Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
Second, a rattler is camouflaged so you cannot easily see him.
2 Corinthians 11:4 – For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Third, once you discover the snake, if you stay away, it will go away.
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Fourth, a rattler will hunt down its prey. If it thinks it has you, it doesn’t give up easily.
I Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Fifth, if a rattler bites you, you need help.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 – And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Six, the bite of a rattler can lead to death.
Hebrews 2:14 – Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Finally, if you know you are going to be somewhere that has the danger of rattlers, wear the proper clothes (thick high boots and jeans!)
Ephesians 6:11– Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.