By this time in March, we shouldn’t have any more snow to deal with – we hope. And since I’m writing these devotionals a month in advance, I can only guess that when we look outside today and dress for church, it feels like spring and no winter coats are needed. So, without any worries that anyone has done this in the last week, let me pose a question:
Is it safe to eat snow?
Every year, I watch kids munch on handfuls of snow and suck on icicles. I did this when I was a kid. My guess is that you did, too. Maybe you made some snow cream with a handful of “fresh” powder, sugar, milk, and vanilla. I’ve never heard of anyone dying from snow poisoning. But is it really SAFE?
You say, “But I didn’t collect the snow from the side of the road where salt and dirt would have contaminated. And the snow was WHITE.” However, “According to meteorologist Mary Scarzello Fairbanks, who spoke with Prevention in 2021, snow isn’t all that pristine. It’s formed when water droplets freeze around some dust or debris in the air, forming an ice crystal that continues to collect water vapor and form a snowflake.
“When it falls, it will also collect things hanging in the air, including dirt, soot, and even bacterial particles. Depending on the region, snow could also contain sulfates, nitrates, formaldehyde, mercury, or pesticides. If it’s windy, snow could even mix with dirt kicked up from the soil before settling. A 2015 study published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts even demonstrated how snow could mix with gasoline exhaust. This all means that, theoretically, your snow ice cream could have some pretty disgusting “toppings.””1
Hopefully you aren’t feeling nauseated at this moment. Still, you should probably think twice before scooping up some snow next winter for an afternoon snack. Microscopic contaminates are there that you cannot see!
Think about that. A particle of dirt or debris is encased in the beauty of that frozen water droplet. We are told that no two snowflakes are alike. There is amazing beauty surrounding the dirt. Snowflakes, though, aren’t the only things that have this characteristic.
Romans 16:17-18 warns, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” The dirt is their false doctrine. The frozen droplets are the “good words and fair speeches.” The contaminate is there, concealed by outer beauty.
Another warning is found in Colossians 2:4. “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” The beauty and attraction of those enticing words deceives, causing man to ignore the dirt particle it holds.
Many other passages highlight this deception but none other clarifies the origins of this deception like 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Satan knows how to make the dirt look good.
Now, whereas we may only eat snow once a year and it may not do us an ounce of harm, the damage that can come from listening to just ONE false teacher is alarming. How many believers have been harmed through the years from eating the devil’s snow?
Don’t succumb to Satan’s snow job! Feast on the good word of God today and listen intently as the sermon is preached. Learn from God’s word and determine to never again eat the dirty snow.
1https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642849/it-it-safe-to-eat-snow
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