Teaching

Acts 28:5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. Have you ever run into a situation where Satan succeeds in gaining access to you through a circumstance? Whether it's an accident, a wrong being done against you, slanderous campaign or a flat out robbery, we are not immune to Satan's attacks. What can be really discouraging is that many of these things can happen to us while we're trying to serve others and do good. The apostle Paul was meaning good when a viper bit him and held fast to his hand. Joseph meant well while Potiphar's wife launched a campaign to discredit him. David meant well when he played for Saul and yet the schizophrenic king started throwing his spear against him.

We need to know how to shake off the vipers and move on. Think of Paul's situation: after being tossed in the sea for two weeks and nearly escaping death, he gets out onto dry land and a viper bites him while he's trying to help with getting the fire started! How absurd can it get? And yet, this is what happens all the time. Just because you've decided to serve God and people, don't expect Satan to watch on the sidelines and cheer for you! God will do his part and he will protect us THROUGHOUT such experiences.

But we must be strong enough in faith and learn how to shake off the demonic assignments against us and move onto the greater things that God has in store for us. The Kingdom advances through difficult circumstances. The notion that "if something is from God it will all work out just perfect", is absurd! In fact, if something is from God, all hell will break loose against you!