Shake That Snake Off! - Part 1

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. 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. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Acts 28 vs 3 -5

The scripture contains gems designed to boost and solidifies our faith in the Lord. "Remember without faith it is impossible to please God "(Hebrews 11 vs 6). The passage above contains quite a lot of refreshing truth every believer should digest and apply to their life in order to fight the good fight of faith and be more than conquerors in Christ. I will only speak on some of these good lessons. 

For you to appreciate the texts above you will need to read about Paul's trip to Jerusalem which led from one event to another till he got to the island in question. Acts 21 - 28. To save you some time, I will list the various events that Paul experienced before reaching this point. 

1. Paul's rejection by Jewish believers in Jerusalem despite several warnings from the men led by the Holy Ghost and even our Lord Jesus Christ. This led to his apprehension by the Roman soldier in order to prevent his lynching by the angry mob. Acts 21 vs 17 - 31, 22 vs 18 - 22.
2. The plot to kill Paul the apostle by 40 men who bound themselves with an oath that they will not eat nor drink till they kill him. Acts 23 vs 12 - 23. In order to protect Paul's life the centurion order Paul's transportation to Caesarea.
3. Felix refusal to set Paul free despite the substantial proof of his Innocence. Acts 24 vs 23 - 27. During Paul's trial under Felix, he appealed to Caesar since he was not sure of getting justice under Felix. Acts 25 vs 1 - 11;
4. King Agrippa would have set him free but since Paul had already appealed to Caesar. He had to push his case to Caesar. Acts 25 vs 24 -27; 26 vs 29 - 32.
5. The terrible horrifying experience of storm and the eventual shipwreck. Acts 27. Paul, through the Spirit of God, had warned the captain of the ship not to sail but they ignored him and suffered shipwreck but through God's mercy, no life was lost but don't forget the perplexity and despair was so much that no one ate for 14 days. Can you imagine that! Acts 27 vs 9,10, 21 - 33;
6. Then finally after surviving a shipwreck, then a snake coiled around Paul's hands. Hmmm..... What can be worse than this? The barbarians had already concluded that Paul must have been a murderer (hasty assumption). But Paul "shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm".

Imagine that you were in Paul's shoes! Nowadays some church people will say "the world is pursuing me!",  "Is it only me?", "Satan leave me alone ooo" etc. Depression followed by hypertension will suddenly befall some of us not because God's promises have failed but just because of your interpretation of the events of our life. Paul could have sat down in regret and blamed himself for the odds that befell him but he was strong in faith. The secret of his victory lies in the interpretation of the events and the knowledge of the promises of God made to Him. Remember, Jesus our Lord appeared to him and told him He must stand before Caesar in Acts 27 vs 24. God's promises are greater than the barrage of events the enemies might be throwing at your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Praise God!. Don't give your victory away sheepily by your faulty interpretations. Like Paul, shake that snake off you in the name of Jesus and no harm will come to you.

The devil attacks our mind to distort your faith and knowledge of the scripture. In Ephesians 6 vs 13, 16, the scripture says "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.". Child of God: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU! (Amen). The world is not pursuing you (Amen). Shake those wrong thoughts off your minds and stand up with God's promises and shake that snake off. Shake it off your life, your marriage, business, and children and they will go and leave you alone in Jesus' name. 

Shun the wrong analysis of the events that have happened in your life. Search the scriptures for God's promises that match your situation, flee from sin( the real snake biting men today), and draw near in prayers to God. This also shall come to pass! (Amen). 

God bless you. Remember shake that snake off!

 

PS: Photo by Geoff Brooks on Unsplash

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