Shake it Off
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Mar 30
- 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)
Have you ever gone through a difficult situation only to find yourself facing another one right afterward? In Acts 28, Paul had just survived a shipwreck and was helping build a fire when a deadly viper latched onto his hand. The enemy often strikes after seasons of hardship—just when you think you’ve made it through the storm. However, the presence of an attack does not signify defeat. Rather than panicking, Paul simply shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. He understood the authority he possessed in Christ. This aligns with Jesus’ words in Mark 16:18, where He stated that believers will “take up serpents”— which in Greek means to set them aside. It does not mean to handle them deliberately. The power of God is greater than any attack against us. The onlookers expected Paul to die. They had witnessed the effects of venom before, and according to natural law, he should not have survived. But faith in the name of Jesus rendered the poison powerless.
When the enemy attacks, you have the power and authority to “shake it off.” Whether it’s a literal serpent, an illness, or any unexpected assault, God is faithful to protect those who trust in Him. Paul’s reaction to the attack was not fear—it was faith. He shook the serpent into the fire and continued unharmed. The same power that protected Paul is available to every believer. No matter what the enemy tries to use against you—whether physical danger, sickness, or deception—Jesus has given you the authority to overcome. Walk in faith, shake off the attack, and keep moving forward!
Practical Application
Don’t give in to panic when the enemy strikes. Fear empowers the attack, but faith in Christ nullifies its effects. Whether it’s illness, opposition, or an unexpected challenge, follow Paul’s example—shake it off in faith and keep moving forward.
