PICK UP SNAKES / MARK 16:18

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(KJV) Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Overcoming Danger in the Mission: Understanding Mark 16:18

When we read the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, certain passages can make us pause. Among the most debated and misunderstood is Mark 16:18, which mentions that believers “will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all.”

At first glance, this text seems to invite extreme behavior. However, when we look closer at the true context of scripture, we find a message of profound protection rather than a call to reckless rituals.

Protection, Not a Performance

Picking up snakes, drinking poison, or engaging in other extreme actions is not to be made into a ritual or practiced in any fashion to prove one’s spirituality. God never asks us to put on a performance to demonstrate our faith or our closeness to Him. True spirituality is marked by love, obedience, and humility—not by dangerous stunts.

These promises were given to Christ’s followers who encounter different kinds of serious dangers in the process of fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). As the early disciples went out into the unknown to preach the Gospel, they faced real, unexpected hazards. We see this vividly in Acts 28, when the Apostle Paul was accidentally bitten by a viper while gathering firewood on the island of Malta. He didn’t seek out the snake to prove a point; he was simply serving, and God miraculously protected him from the venom.

The Sin of Testing God

There is a sharp theological line between relying on God’s protection in the line of duty and intentionally looking for trouble. It is a sin to test God by deliberately initiating or exposing oneself to foolish and unnecessary dangers.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness to throw Himself off the highest point of the temple, He responded with scripture: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:5-7). Jesus Himself fled danger when it was appropriate, instructing His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:23; 24:16-18). Wisdom and faith go hand in hand.

Equipped for the Journey

As you live out your faith today, remember that God has called you to a mission, and He walks with you. You do not need to manufacture crises to see His power. Step out in bold obedience to share His love, trusting that whatever unexpected “snakes” or toxins you cross paths with in this broken world, His grace and protection are entirely sufficient to see you through.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the bold commission to take Your Gospel to the ends of the earth. Lord, grant us the spiritual wisdom to discern the difference between authentic faith and reckless testing. Forgive us for the times we demand signs instead of walking in quiet obedience.

As we go about our daily lives, protect us from the hidden dangers, toxic environments, and spiritual warfare we may encounter. Equip us with your strength, wrap us in Your peace, and let our lives be a true testimony of Your love. We trust in Your keeping power today and always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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