Friend, do you realize what you have available to you? When the whole world around you is trembling because of viruses, diseases, injuries, and all these other threats to our health, do you understand that you don’t have to follow their example? Friend, we are believers, and we have a faith that overcomes the world. It is a real faith — not a fairy tale, but a faith that really works.

If you don’t understand what that means or you don’t really believe that you have the power not to be afraid, then you might need a reminder of what is promised to you, and that promise begins with Jesus’ command in Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Most believers, if they were asked, would say that they believe what this verse says, that we’re meant to go into all the world with the Gospel. But if you believe that verse, then it stands to reason that you also believe Jesus’ next words:

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

You can’t just accept the Great Commission without accepting the promise that goes with it, and that promise is packed full of power. For example, consider that word “follow.” If you look in the Greek, it means to follow like an assistant or associate, and this tells us that when you believe, signs and wonders will accompany you — they should be your traveling companions. 

Before I unpack everything that’s included in those signs and wonders, I want to make something very clear — this promise is for “them that believe” (Mark 16:17). Jesus doesn’t say, “Everyone,” or, “all Christians” — He says, “those who believe.” In fact, the Greek is better translated as those who are believing, and that tense tells us that the belief is active. Even if you truly believed a long time ago, these signs are not guaranteed if you’re not using your faith today.

Don’t think you can claim this promise just because you are a Christian — there are a lot of Christians who are not currently believing. But if you engage your faith and release it, then Jesus says in this verse that these signs will be your travelling companions.

Friend, this should really inspire us to be using our faith, because Jesus talks about amazing things in these verses. The first thing He says is “In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). You literally have the authority to tell devils to shut up and leave! You are also equipped to speak in tongues and strengthen yourself by praying in the Spirit, because Jesus also says “they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). These are things that Jesus says will naturally follow if you are engaging your faith!

As if these supernatural promises aren’t enough, Jesus starts piling even more on: “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 16:18).

This is an incredible blessing of protection, but I want to make sure there is no mistake about what it means. Many people have misinterpreted that phrase — in fact, there are some little Pentecostal churches that take this verse very literally, and they actually carry rattlesnakes to church! They think it is a demonstration of faith that they can hand rattlesnakes around the auditorium, and when they’re finished passing the snakes around, they all drink poison to prove it won’t have any effect on them.

That is not what Jesus is talking about. He never wants us to be careless about dangers. You have to put this verse in context and remember that He had just said to His disciples, “Go ye into all the world” (Mark 16:15), which meant they were going to be traveling down many roads — new roads, undeveloped roads, old roads that were filled with ruts. In the ancient world, it was dangerous to travel. Snakes often lay in the ruts on the roads, and they could be very dangerous if they decided to attack someone.

In this context, we can see that Jesus isn’t telling us to just pick up serpents. Instead He is promising that when you obey Him, He will protect you from anything in your path, including the snakes and other hidden dangers that could make the journey dangerous and frightening.

In that same context, the second half of this verse says, “and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them” (Mark 16:18). This makes me think of how there are some people who boldly say, “I want to go on a mission trip. I want to cast out devils, heal the sick, and see signs and wonders.” But then, when they go on the mission trip, those same people are afraid to eat the food. They say, “If I eat this, I might get sick.” I always laugh about that, because it makes me think, “If you don’t have authority over your food, how do you think you’re going to have authority over demons?”

But we do have authority over all those things, and Jesus comforts us in this verse, saying, “Don’t worry about germs. Don’t worry about bacteria. Don’t worry about viruses. You’re going to be protected. If you’re going in My name, you don’t need to worry about anything in your path, and you don’t need to worry about any bad food making you sick.”

Wow! These promises are just so packed, and Jesus isn’t even finished listing them all. Next He adds, “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18).

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “Be afraid of touching the sick” — He says, “Put your hands on the sick.” Your hands are filled with healing power, friend, and if you believe that, then you can use those hands to touch the sick and release that power without being afraid of what will happen to you, because Jesus promises that you will be protected from all those germs and diseases!

This really is an amazing promise, friend — even Jesus thought so. In Luke 10:19, He actually 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.”

The word “Behold” in Greek means “Wow, this is amazing!” It tells us that Jesus was so excited to share this with His disciples, so He said, “I am impressed with what I am about to tell you. Behold, I give you power.” 

That word “power” is the word “authority.” This isn’t a spirit of fear, but a powerful authority that is effective when we use it, and we can use it to “tread on serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19). Again we see protection from the snakes that were lying on the road, and this verse adds scorpions, which could sting travelers with venom. These were both terrifying creatures for travelers, but Jesus says, “I’m sending you, so if anything gets in your way or tries to attack you, just walk right on top of it. I have given you authority over all of it.” 

Even beyond the natural dangers like snakes and scorpions, He goes on to say that this authority is “over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).

The word “over” in Greek is the word epi (ἐπὶ), and it describes a position of superiority. Friend, this is powerful: Whatever power the enemy might have, we are on top of it! In fact, the word used to describe the enemy’s power is the Greek word dunamis (δύναμις), which describes the full might of an advancing army. In other words, even if the devil sends a whole army out against you, you still have the superior position. All the forces of hell are under your feet!

If it wasn’t clear from all the specific things He gave us protection from, Jesus wraps up the verse with an overall promise: “and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). That means absolutely nothing, not a single thing, will ever hurt you.

Friend, everything I’ve just said belongs to those who believe. Jesus really tells us, “I give you this kind of authority. I give you a position of superiority. If you will engage your faith, the supernatural will accompany you like a traveling companion. You’ll lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, and speak in new tongues. No attack will hurt you — no virus, no germ, and no bacteria. Not even the full might of hell’s armies will be able to harm you.” I believe that, friend, and I declare it to you in the name of Jesus. If you will be active in your faith, if you will engage it and declare it with your mouth, these promises are yours and your children’s and your grandchildren’s

Friend, next time a thought comes to you that says, “Oh, this situation is so bad,” I want to encourage you to turn it around and say, “Yeah, it is so bad — for the devil, because I have a position of superiority, given to me by Jesus Himself, over all the power of the enemy. Nothing can hurt me!”