“But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. …But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.” Acts 28:3, 5
The Apostle Paul was on his way to Rome to stand before Caesar and present his case, for he had been falsely accused. While traveling by ship under Roman custody, Paul warned the sailors that danger lay ahead and that they should not continue the voyage. However, they did not listen to him. Soon after, a great storm arose and raged for many days, leaving the ship and all aboard in peril. But in the midst of the storm, God sent an angel to Paul with a message of assurance and protection, saying that no lives would be lost. Just as the Lord had promised, the ship was wrecked, but every person on board survived and the storm brought them safely to the island of Malta. Yet, the natives of the island showed them unusual kindness.
The Apostle Paul didn’t just sit by the fire resting after the shipwreck. Even though he had gone through so much hardship, he still chose to serve. Instead of expecting others to help him, he picked up sticks to help keep the fire going to helped those around him. Paul lived out what the LORD Jesus taught, that He “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45) so we must all do. We all want to be great, then we must be servant of all.
As Paul gathered the wood, a venomous snake, a viper, suddenly fastened onto his hand and the people of the island saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said among themselves that this man must be a murderer, whom though he had escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and felt no harm and continued on.
That moment when Paul shook off the viper into the fire teaches us about the power and authority that Jesus Christ has given to all believers. Through His name, we have been given the ability to overcome and shake off the attacks of the enemy. No matter how strong the serpent’s venom may seem, or how deep its bite, it cannot harm those who are redeemed and covered by the blood of the Lamb. Jesus said, “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” (Luke 10:19, KJV).
When Jesus died upon the cross, He conquered death once and for all. For as it is written, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV). Death entered the world because of sin, through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. For it is written, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14, KJV). In the beginning, mankind was created in the image and likeness of God, not only bearing His nature and attributes, but also possessing the gift of eternal life. Yet through transgression, sin awakened death and brought separation between man and God. Humanity, once destined for eternal fellowship, became subject to mortality, and sin separate us from the presence of God.
Blessed be the Lord our God, who is rich in mercy and abundant in goodness. He humbled Himself and came down from His throne of glory, being declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). The Lord Jesus came to preach, to teach, and to show us how to live as sons and daughters of the Most High. Every word He spoke, every work He performed, was a pattern or a blueprint for His church to follow.
When Jesus began to cast out devils, He revealed the authority that God had given to man from the very beginning. For it is written, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (Psalm 115:16, KJV). The earth was not given to evil spirits nor to fallen angels—they have no inheritance among mankind. Therefore, they must be dispossessed and cast out. As the Scripture declares, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Our Lord gave no place to the enemy, neither permitted them to speak, for they were subject unto Him and by His authority, they are also subject unto us. That same authority He has now given to His church. The Lord said, “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” (Luke 10:19).
Therefore, when Paul shook off the viper into the fire, it became a living testimony of this divine truth: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17, KJV). This moment also reminds us that being a child of God does not mean we are exempt from trials, struggles, or attacks. The serpent waited for its moment to strike, just as the enemy looks for opportunities to drift us way from our faith. Yet, like Paul, we can shake off every attack of the adversary. Though the serpent may strike, his venom shall not prevail. As the Lord sent His angel to stand beside Paul during the night. The angel spoke, bringing comfort and assurance, saying, “Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee” (Acts 27:24). Paul suffered no harm because the purpose of God for his life was not yet fulfilled that he must stand before Caesar and bear witness of Christ even in the courts of Rome. The will of the Lord shall always stand, and none can overturn it. For “the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11).
The blood of the LORD Jesus Christ is our covering, our protection, and our victory. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). They say that even when a venomous snake bites a sheep, the sheep does not die. Though the fangs pierce its flesh and the blood flows, the sheep lives for within its blood there is something that neutralizes the poison. The serpent’s bite could not stop Paul, and the enemy’s attacks cannot stop those who walk in the will of God. Because through the blood of Jesus, no weapon formed against us shall prosper, for His blood is our defense, our covering, and our everlasting victory. To understand how powerful the blood of Jesus truly is, we must look at what it has accomplished for us. Through His blood, we have received redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. By His blood, we are justified and declared righteous before God. Through His blood, we are brought near to the Father and restored to fellowship with Him. We have obtained eternal redemption, not by our own works, but by His perfect sacrifice. Because of His blood, we can now come boldly before the throne of grace, standing in the very presence of God. His blood purifies us and makes us worthy to stand before Him, clothed in His righteousness. Lastly, His precious blood gives us victory over Satan and every power of darkness.
Lastly, as Paul shook off the serpent into the fire, so also we, by the authority given unto us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall cast down Satan and all his works. That moment was a foreshadowing of what is to come, when the devil and all his minions shall be cast into the lake of fire, as it is written, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). The same fire that brought warmth and light to Paul and to all who were with him is the very fire that consumed the viper. So it is with the power of God’s presence what the enemy meant for harm, God turns for victory. For our God is “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29, KJV), and in His presence, every work of darkness is destroyed.
And what greater assurance do we have, that the Holy Spirit Himself now dwells within us. The same Spirit who raised up Jesus from the dead, and the very same Spirit who strengthened and worked mightily through Paul. For it is written, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11). That same Holy Spirit continues to strengthen, guide, and empower us to walk in victory, to endure every trial, and to fulfill the will of God upon the earth.
So you should never feel defeated, nor think that you are overcome, for the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. Paul continued to stand firm because he knew what the blood of Christ had done for him, and he trusted in the Holy Spirit who lived within him. Because of that assurance, he did not give in to self-pity or despair. He understood that the power of God within him was greater than the trials around him. We, too, must remember that our circumstances do not limit God’s power. They become the very platform for His glory to be revealed. The hardships we face are not signs of defeat but opportunities for the Kingdom of God to expand on earth. Just as Paul and Silas, though bound in chains, lifted their voices and worshiped the Lord in the midnight hour, and “suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken” (Acts 16:26), so can our praise in the midst of trials shake the heavens and bring freedom to others.
Therefore, do not be moved by what you see, nor silenced by what you suffer. The blood of Jesus has redeemed you, and the Spirit of God empowers you. What seems like bondage to the world can become a pulpit for God’s glory a place where His power is made known, and His presence is revealed.
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