Shake Off the Enemy

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Acts 28:5 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on an island, and the devil tried to stop his progress in spreading the Gospel. Paul was gathering sticks to put on a fire they had lit, and a poisonous snake attached itself to his arm. Paul shook it off into the fire and was unharmed. Snakes, or serpents, often represent the devil in scripture. When we burn with Holy Spirit fire, we can expect demonic attacks. They will try to attach themselves to us to take us out. Just shake it off and go on as if nothing happened.

Whatever is trying to attach itself to you, shake it off. Shake off hurt, rejection, disappointment, trouble, fear, lack, worry…. Shake it off by speaking God’s Word. Shake it off by worshipping God. When satan tries to bruise your heel, it is time to dance on his head. We can do this by helping others, giving to someone in need, giving to a ministry that helps people, or telling people about Jesus. There are numerous ways to sock it to the devil by continuing to do good when he tries to get us off track. Shake him off and feel no pain.

As a result of this incident, God brought revival to the people of the island- a healing revival. That was what the enemy was trying to prevent. Paul had learned to shake it off and God protected him from harm. The enemy wanted to take Paul out to stop revival from impacting the inhabitants of the island, but his plan backfired.

We need to shake off the attempts of the enemy as he tries to stop us from taking Jesus to the world. The end-time harvest of souls is at hand, and we need to shake off the enemy and impact the world for Jesus. After all, his destination is the fire, and he is no match for a church that is bold, courageous and ready to shake him off.