Snake handling is condemned as tempting God, mirroring Satan's temptation of Jesus using Psalm 91

Snake handling as a religious practice is described as 'utter idiocy' because it directly parallels Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness -- Satan quoted Psalm 91 (God will command his angels) and urged Jesus to leap from the temple. Jesus responded 'do not tempt the Lord your God.' Deliberately seeking to be protected from snakes to prove faith is the same satanic logic.