Shaking Off Fear: Authority and Healing in Christ

Today, we gathered to honor the presence of God and to remember the power of the cross, where Jesus shed His blood to redeem us and restore our relationship with Him. We looked into Acts 28, where Paul, after surviving a shipwreck, is bitten by a viper on the island of Malta. Despite the attack, Paul simply shakes the snake off into the fire and suffers no harm. This moment is a powerful reminder that as believers, we have no reason to fear the enemy, who is often symbolized by the serpent. God has already handled the enemy’s position—he belongs under our feet, not in our minds or hearts. Through Christ, we are raised up and given authority over all the power of the enemy.

The enemy may try to attack us, especially when we draw closer to God, but his power has been disarmed. Just as a snake without venom cannot harm, the devil’s poison has been neutralized by the blood of Jesus. We are not called to chase after the enemy or live in fear, but to remain in the presence of God, where our authority is rooted. The attacks may come, but they cannot destroy us. Even when people misjudge us or speak against us, God is our vindicator. Their opinions may change, but our identity and victory in Christ remain secure.

Paul’s response to the snake bite is instructive. He does not panic or allow the attack to define him. Instead, he shakes it off and continues his mission. The very hand that was bitten becomes the hand that brings healing to others. This is a profound truth: God can turn our wounds into sources of healing and ministry. The places where we have been hurt can become the very places where God’s power flows through us to bless others. We are called to shake off offense, bitterness, and the opinions of others, and to step into the ministry and purpose God has for us. No matter what has bitten us—be it pain, betrayal, or trauma—God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. Let us move forward, shake off every snake, and become vessels of healing and testimony for the glory of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Enemy’s True Position The enemy does not belong in our minds, on our backs, or whispering in our ears—his rightful place is under our feet. When we dwell in the secret place of God’s presence, we are elevated above the enemy’s reach. Our authority is not based on our own strength, but on our position in Christ, who has already triumphed over the serpent. [05:12]
• 2. Authority Over the Enemy’s Power God has not only given us power but also authority over all the works of the enemy. The difference between power and authority is crucial: the enemy may have some power, but he has no permission to operate in our lives unless we allow it. We are called to trample, not tiptoe, over the enemy—walking boldly in the authority Christ has given us, knowing that His victory is our victory. [13:30]
• 3. Discerning Attacks from Judgment Not every hardship or attack is a sign of God’s judgment. God’s judgment is unmistakable and inescapable, but attacks from the enemy are designed to distract and discourage. When the enemy’s weapons fail to destroy us, it is evidence of God’s protection and a reminder that we already have victory. We must learn to discern the difference and not internalize every attack as divine punishment. [20:56]
• 4. Shaking Off Offense and Bitterness Holding onto the bite—whether it’s offense, hurt, or the opinions of others—only leads to bitterness and toxicity. We are called to shake off every snake, refusing to let wounds define us or hinder our calling. The act of shaking it off is not denial, but a declaration that the attack will not have the final word in our lives. [19:04]
• 5. Healing Flows from Our Wounds The very place where we have been bitten, hurt, or wounded can become the source of healing for others. God specializes in turning our pain into power, our misery into ministry, and our trauma into testimony. When we surrender our wounds to God, He uses them to bring deliverance and hope to those around us—our greatest ministry often flows from our deepest pain.
  
  ** [24:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Honoring God’s Presence and the Cross
• [02:30] - Bible Declaration and Introduction
• [04:15] - Reading Acts 28: Paul on Malta
• [05:12] - The Symbolism of the Snake and the Enemy’s Position
• [07:45] - God’s Promise of Protection
• [09:30] - Raised Up with Christ: Our Authority
• [11:20] - Christ’s Victory Over the Enemy
• [13:30] - Disarming the Snake’s Power
• [15:53] - The Power of Christ’s Blood Over Poison
• [17:10] - The Danger of Chasing Signs and Snake Handling
• [19:04] - Discernment: Attack vs. Judgment
• [20:56] - Shaking Off the Snake: Paul’s Example
• [22:30] - God’s Vindication Over People’s Opinions
• [24:40] - Healing from the Place of the Bite
• [26:00] - Stepping Into Ministry and Testimony

Bible Reading

Acts 28:1-10 (ESV) — Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

Observation Questions

1. What did the natives of Malta assume about Paul when the viper bit him, and how did their opinion change after he suffered no harm? ([19:04])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Paul shaking the snake off into the fire instead of panicking or letting it define him? ([20:56])
3. What did Paul do with the same hand that had been bitten by the snake, and why is this detail important in the story? ([24:40])
4. In the passage, what role does the fire play in both revealing the snake and in Paul’s response to the attack? ([19:04])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the enemy’s rightful place is “under our feet.” What does this mean for how believers should view spiritual attacks or temptations? ([05:12])
2. The difference between power and authority is highlighted in the sermon. Why is it important for believers to understand that they have authority over the enemy, not just power? ([13:30])
3. The people on Malta misjudged Paul, thinking his suffering was God’s judgment. How can believers discern the difference between God’s judgment and an attack from the enemy in their own lives? ([20:56])
4. The sermon teaches that God can use the very place of our wounds to bring healing to others. What does this suggest about how God works through our pain and past hurts? ([24:40])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says the enemy tries to get into our minds and hearts, but his place is under our feet. Are there specific thoughts or fears you’ve been letting “live in your head” that you need to put under your feet this week? What would it look like to do that? ([05:12])
2. When you face spiritual attacks or discouragement, do you tend to panic, withdraw, or “shake it off” like Paul did? What is one practical way you can respond differently the next time you feel attacked or misunderstood? ([20:56])
3. The difference between power and authority was explained in the sermon. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been acting like the enemy has authority he doesn’t actually have? How can you walk in the authority Christ has given you? ([13:30])
4. Have you ever held onto offense, bitterness, or the opinions of others after being “bitten” by a situation or person? What is one step you can take this week to “shake off” that offense and move forward? ([19:04])
5. The sermon says that God can turn our wounds into sources of healing for others. Can you think of a time when God used your pain or past hurt to help someone else? If not, is there a wound you need to surrender to God so He can use it for ministry? ([24:40])
6. The people on Malta changed their minds about Paul after seeing God’s protection. How do you handle it when people misjudge you or talk about you? What would it look like to trust God for your vindication instead of trying to defend yourself? ([20:56])
7. The sermon encourages us to stay close to the “fire” of God’s presence, even when attacks come. What is one way you can intentionally draw closer to God’s presence this week, especially if you’re facing challenges? ([19:04])