Shake it Off
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Sep 21, 2024
- 2 min read
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 28:3-5)
Paul found himself in a difficult situation and was doing something to help the entire team by gathering sticks. While doing a good thing with the right heart, he was attacked by a dangerous viper.
Have you ever felt attacked when you believed you were doing the right thing? The Bible doesn’t promise us a life free of attack or trouble. Jesus guaranteed that it would happen. However, the Word promises us that despite problems, we can be of good cheer, knowing that Jesus has overcome the world’s system and everything it will throw at us. When you are attacked, you should follow Paul’s example of how he dealt with the viper: shake it off.
Shaking can be a form of praise that causes you to move, dance, and celebrate. Your praise will help you shake off the enemy's bite. Shaking can also relate to your attitude. You don’t sit down and take it; you actively get rid of everything that bite is trying to produce in your life.
Just as Paul shook off the viper, we must learn to shake off the difficulties, temptations, and setbacks that bite us. Whether sickness, financial struggles, or relational issues, our faith calls us to trust in God and move forward.
Adopt a faith attitude like Paul’s, knowing that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us out of them all (Psalm 34:19).
Practical Application
When you feel the sting of an enemy attack, quickly get up and praise the Lord. Don’t allow the attack to stop you from moving forward. Proactively fight back with the power of praise.
