Signs, Serpents, and Safety

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. (Mark 16:17-18)

Believers have been given Jesus’ authority to change the world by operating in these signs. Notice that Mark didn’t use the word miracles; he said signs shall follow believers. The Greek word there is semeion; it can mean miracles, but it also means indications. Signs point in a certain direction. When we operate in the signs listed in Mark 16:17-18, we direct the world to Jesus.

The first thing on Mark’s list is that believers should cast out devils. No demon in hell has greater authority than a believer. God intends for Christians to dominate the devil with the same authority Jesus had. Don’t be afraid of demons! Instead, command them to go and watch them flee. Yes, demons are real, but they cannot harm the Christian who walks in faith and authority.

Then Mark wrote about the divine protection believers have as we follow God’s direction. The world's system has real dangers and problems apart from the devil’s influence, but the system cannot harm the believer who walks in faith and operates in the authority of Jesus. Even accidental poison and attacking serpents can’t take you out.

Last, Mark 16:18 says that the sick shouldn’t stay sick when believers operate in the authority of Jesus. Anytime you use the authority of Jesus’ name, you say, “I have His love in me. Because I operate in His love, I have authority over the realms of heaven, earth, and hell.” That means demons bow. It means earth’s systems must agree and operate accordingly, and it means angels follow your direction because you’re here to advance the kingdom and point the way to the King of kings, Jesus, our Lord.

Practical Application

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you opportunities to step out and boldly operate in the signs listed in Mark 16:17-18. Then do what Jesus said and show the world His love through your actions.

Acts 5:26; Acts 8:7

The Highest Authority

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)

Jesus is the most powerful name and highest authority in all of heaven, earth, and hell. Philippians 2:8-11 explains how Jesus gained such dominion.

First, He humbled Himself. He left the perfection of heaven where angels waited on Him and there were no tears or pain to come to earth fashioned as a man. He had to deal with things that didn’t even exist in heaven, such as troublesome people, difficult situations, exhaustion, and physical strain.

Second, He was obedient unto death. Jesus was willing to go to the cross and endure the pain, ridicule and suffering of the moment to secure our future. However, the cross was not the end. It was the gateway to exaltation. The Greek word in this verse for highly exalted is huperupsoo, which means that God elevated Him and raised Him to the highest position possible. In that exalted position, the Father crowned the Son with a name.

The Greek word there for name is Onoma–it means that God gave Him authority. See, when God raised Jesus from death to life, He also elevated and crowned Him with a name that is greater than any earthly title or demonic power. When you call upon the name of Jesus, angels bow, demons tremble, and all of creation acknowledges His Lordship. In fact, every tongue will confess His Lordship.

The word confess in Greek in this verse is exomologeo, which means acknowledging the ascent. Every tongue in hell, earth, and heaven will acknowledge that Jesus is risen. He is elevated, and He is Lord over all.

Practical Application

When you don’t know what to say or what to pray, say the name of Jesus. Calling on the name of Jesus is the perfect confession. It is declaring His Lordship over the circumstance or issue at hand. Say out loud, “Jesus is Lord”!

Isaiah 45:23; Matthew 28:18

Praying in His Name

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:13-15)

Prayer should never become a religious routine for Christians. It should be an intimate moment of connection between us and God. God wants to provide. He desires to see you succeed in every area of life, and He doesn’t want you to just inform Him of what is going on, (as if He didn’t know), but to involve Him in meeting your daily needs as well as the desires of your heart.

In John 14:13, Jesus said, “whatsoever ye ask.” Whatsoever means anything. God wants to be involved in your life's minute details, grand questions, and concerns.

Jesus also told us to ask in His name. The Greek word for name is onoma, which means character or authority. Jesus’ character is love, and His authority is above every other name. So, asking in Jesus’ character means we do not ask out of selfish ambition, nor are we trying to make God into a genie to grant our every wish.

When our hearts are full of His love and that love is shed abroad toward others, we love what and who God loves. When we operate in the authority delegated to us by Christ, our focus is on the kingdom first. With that mindset, His desires become our desires. Then, we can ask anything in agreement with His Word that we need to fulfill the callings, dreams, and desires He has placed on our hearts, and we will have it.

Jesus’ promise to do whatever we ask in His authority and character was followed by this statement: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” If we truly love God and are motivated by God’s love, we will keep His two most important commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor, and love for God and our neighbor will spill over into our prayer life.

Practical Application

Before asking God for something, pause and ask Him to reveal His heart and will in the situation. When you pray, focus on getting God’s heart about something more than trying to force His hand to do something. When you operate in love and delegated authority, nothing will be held back from you.

Matthew 7:7; Matthew 21:22