Shake it Off!

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." (Mark 16:17-18)

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects (Acts 28:5).

What does it mean to pick up snakes and drink deadly poison without getting hurt? There is a cult whose religious practice involves picking up snakes as part of their church service. They have taken literally what is to be applied spiritually. In the name of Jesus, believers can shake off thoughts, suggestions and emotions and not be hurt by the poisonous influence of these things just as the Apostle Paul shook off a poisonous snake that had fastened itself to his hand and was protected by God from its poison. Paul was a prisoner on board a ship to Rome. There are some spiritual lessons we can learn from Paul's voyage and this incident with the snake that can keep our spirits from being poison by the everyday events of life.

1.     Paul shook off the poison of rejection.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also" (Acts 27:9-10). Paul's advice was rejected, but he did not let it bother him. He was skilled in shaking off rejection and not taking it personally. On his very first missionary journey when he and Barnabas ministered at Pisidian Antioch, they were rejected. The Scripture says, "So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium" (Acts 13:51).

2.     Paul shook off the poison of hopelessness:

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved (Acts 27:20).

3.     Paul shook off the poison of criticism

4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live" (Acts 28:4).

You too like Paul can keep yourself from being poison from negative words, actions and circumstances. Affirm your faith in God's promise which says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).  Keep your eyes on the big picture and the little things of life will never get you down. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Is your mind being poisoned? I encourage you today in the name of Jesus to shake that snake off!

Pastor Earl