Can you imagine being gathered around the campfire with family and friends and as you laid more wood on the fire a snake came out of the heat and fastened itself on your hand? Paul had such an encounter. In fact, the scripture describes the viper as a venomous beast. What was Paul’s reaction? He shook off the viper and felt no harm.
What would you have done? I suspect most of us would have shaken the beast off but may not have reacted as calmly as I imagine Paul appeared. Those around Paul viewed the attack on Paul as judgment for being an evil man, but they soon changed their mind when they saw that no harm was done. I must take a moment and say that I believe that this happened. It demonstrates to me that our God is mighty and as we live a life of purpose, we can be confident that he knows what it takes for us to conquer our enemies and ignore distractions sent to stop us. Paul was told in Acts 23:11 that he would be a witness in Rome as he was in Jerusalem. Paul was confident. Paul was on an assignment.
When God has given us a vision, we can shake off anything that would hinder us from completing our task. Luke 10:19 reads “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” However, the choice is ours. How are you going to handle the snake of adversity?
Although I believe this account in the book of acts is a historical fact, let us examine this incidence metaphorically. Often as we go about our daily task distractions seem to appear out of nowhere. What do you do with your snake? Some of us make them into our gods. We carry it around with us, make friends with it, panic over it, or hide from it in fear.
In fact, some of us have a collection of venomous beasts that we think are our pets, so we are unwilling to destroy them. They can become our gods or our idols. It could be fears or feelings of inadequacy. Maybe it is a need for acceptance, false responsibility to a friend or loved one. Whatever it is and whatever the root cause, it is important to remember that if God has an assignment for your life he has empowered, you to accomplish your mission and nothing can defeat you. However, you must be willing to shake off the distraction. In 2 Kings 19:18, the children of God were instructed to throw their false gods into the fire because they were not gods. Today is a great day to recognize that whatever comes to hinder your growing momentum, you can shake it off. Throw it back into the fire and watch it burn.
Scripture References:
Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
2 Kings 19:18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
Isaiah 37:19 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.