While doing the Lord’s work, have you ever felt the poisonous fangs of the enemy? The Apostle Paul did, both literally and figuratively. Hanging from his arm in Melita, a deadly viper was hoping for his destruction. However, unengaged Christians will never understand a Satanic attack, but they will also never enjoy miraculous deliverance.
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.
- We Must Shake off the Beast.
Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
When criticized, scoffed, or slandered for doing right, shake it off! We have all met God’s people who have introduced us to a viper that hangs on their arm that they never shook off — “This is what so and so said, or this is what they did to me.” Jesus taught us what to do when we feel a poisonous bite coursing through our veins. We must pray, bless, and forgive our enemies. This is the only balm that will cure.
- Shake Off the Beast and Continue.
The purpose of a snake’s poison is to immobilize and then devour the prey. We have all known people who have discontinued their service to the Lord because Satan’s bite has paralyzed them. Jesus told his disciples when they were rejected and mistreated to shake off the dust of their feet and continue.
- Shake Off the Beast and Continue with the Same Passion.
Only after Paul was bitten and continued, did God open up the doors to the Melitan’s hearts. In like manner, Paul and Silas were “shamefully treated” (beaten publicly) in Philippi. Notice how this treatment did not affect their behavior in the next town, Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Paul and His fellow missionaries could have said, “The last time I reached out my hand a snake bit me! I will never do that again!” Instead, they didn’t let old bitter poison affect their present disposition and faith. “Even after we had suffered before…we were bold in our God!” They had the same boldness they started with!
May God help you and I to shake off the beast and continue with the same passion we started with!