Shake It Off!
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Acts 28:5 (New International Version, NIV)
The Apostle Paul went through many things as he preached the Gospel. In this case, he went through a storm and subsequent shipwreck. He found himself on an island called Malta. As the survivors of the shipwreck reached the shore, the islanders welcomed them and built a fire because it was rainy and cold.
Paul gathered a pile of brush wood and put it on the fire. When he did, a viper, a poisonous snake, was driven out by the heat and fastened himself on Paul’s hand. In other words, it sank its fangs into Paul’s flesh and would not let go. However, Paul shook it off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
When we do things for the Lord, the enemy will try to attach himself onto us to do us harm. We must shake him off and keep doing what God called us to do. We can’t allow his attacks to keep us from fulfilling our destinies. Remember- the snake ended up in the fire, but Paul continued his journey.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:15-20 (New International Version, NIV)
As we go, signs will follow those of us who believe. We have authority over the enemy. Don’t let a defeated foe defeat you. Use your authority and shake off any snake bite from the enemy; snake bites like sickness, disease, pain, storms, ill treatment, financial hardships, and so forth. The Lord is with you. As you believe Jesus and His Word, He will work with you to confirm His Word with signs that accompany you as you believe and proclaim the Word of God.
