When the star of the National Geographic reality show “Snake Salvation” was bitten by the rattlesnake that he regularly danced within his church services, he was convinced that his faith would save him. He was sorely mistaken.

Pastor Jamie Coots paid the ultimate price for living by presumption rather than real faith. A fate that the common brand of Laodicean churches, from Roman Catholicism to Protestant and Pentecostal churches, are suffering from in a variety of ways.

It is directly foretold in the Bible:  “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”   2 Tim 2:3-4

Coots, 42, was pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name Church in Middlesboro, KY, a part of the Pentecostal denomination known as the Holiness Pentecostals. Coots’ church was founded by his grandfather in 1978. He assumed the pastorship from his father in 1994. It is commonly believed by the followers that they would go to hell if they did not take up serpents, citing the passage from the Bible in Mark 16:17-18.

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
   They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

In an interview with The Christian Post, Coots stated that he was originally approached by National Geographic to do a spot on their Taboo series. However, he believed that a short segment would not be adequate to inform and educate the viewer about their beliefs and he did not want his church to be associated with “cults” like the rat worshippers. He presented his idea to the producer and she agreed to the series. In the interview, Coots revealed that he had been bitten nine times including one time when he lost part of his finger.

As it turned out, Pastor Coots engaged in the very thing Jesus knew to be sinful by tempting God, and even expecting God to preserve his life, after being bitten.

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple,
   And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
   Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matt 4:5-7

This kind of faith is no faith at all, it is presumption. Mainstream churches of every stripe teach many such presumptions today. The “name it and claim it” theology is rampant in the Church and has taken on many different manifestations. The snake handling denominations, are just one of in this megla theology. They do, however, fit into the prevailing faith of Laodicea, in that they are prideful and presumptuous and put God to a test in an unholy manner.

The refusal of medical attention by Mr. Coots is also not new. The so-called faith, “name it and claim it” teaching, began in the 70s and was promoted throughout the Charismatic movement, which later resulted in another heresy, called “submission”.

The current brand goes under the name of “prosperity”. These teachings dictate that if you rely on doctors for your health, your faith is lacking. They go on to say that God does not want anyone to be sick, and if you have an affliction it is of the devil. One’s lack of faith allowed it to take hold. But the Psalms say something very different. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord  delivereth him out of them all.” Psalms 34:19

Jesus said; “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:20

Snake handling in the Christian Church began in the Appalachian region of the United States in the early 20th century, about the time of the ‘Beginning of Sorrows’ It is characterized as “rural” in nature, a segment of the “Holiness Movement” of Pentecostals. The practice has grown to more than 150 churches throughout the south and Appalachia. The practice was originally introduced by Pastor George Went Hensley around 1910  and he would later go on to introduce his “holiness movement” that would require snake handling, to evidence salvation. Coincidently, but not surprisingly, Pastor Hensley also died of a snake bite in 1955.

While snake handling is illegal in all states except West Virginia, Pastor Coots church remains untouched by the authorities. Coots was cited by authorities in Tennessee, on his way home from Texas for transporting snakes across state lines and for having possession of them. Coots was sentenced to probation for the action. Even after the death of a woman in 1995 from a snakebite at one of their services, they have been allowed to continue their worship without interference. Legal action was proposed in the wake of the woman’s death, but was denied by the judge, citing that he did not believe it would in any way serve to stop the practice.

The movement can be lumped in with end times church, Laodicea. Laodicea promotes the world’s gospel of getting all you can on this earth. As long as you have some good works to go along with it, and you are a loving person, God will be pleased with you and give you what you want. This has nothing to do with working out your salvation with “fear and trembling” and everything to do with making God your errand boy and giving him your laundry list of wants. If you get a whiff of these elements being taught in a church you are involved with, I would recommend you turn away and seek out those who want to serve the Lord out of a pure heart. We are in no position to make demands of the Lord. He answers prayers of faith out of love to those who love him. Do not tempt God, it will not serve you or Him.

Jesus is looking for those who will love him with all their mind, all their heart and all their strength. He even gave us that as a command. The second command was to love others as you love yourself. Giving showy demonstrations of reckless behavior is certainly not love. The deceased’s twenty-one-year-old son, Cody Coots, who used to go snake hunting with his father is planning to taking over the ministry. Cody reports that the snake which killed his father will continue to be used in their services and he will continue to handle the snakes as his father before him had.  If bitten, he says he will refuse medical aid. Sadly, this group of Christians has learned nothing from their mistakes and continue to walk in the vanity of their own mind.

Walk in faith and not in presumption. Do not demand things of God that you know nothing about, except that you think you want them. Examine the fruits and seek the Lord early and often, that you might not be deceived by lying spirits and the devil.