Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. Acts 28:1-6 NLT
The above scripture shares an explicit account of the Apostle Pauls’ encounter with a poisonous snake, giving us insight of how Paul, instead of swelling or dying, he remained untainted. Question is: What did Paul possess in his body that caused no reaction?
The Apostle Paul was a born again Christian just like us but he’s entire life was characterised by the supernatural on a daily basis.
Studying the books he wrote one gets an in depth understanding of the kind of consciousness (mindset) that he carried, knowledge and the type of declarations he made. There are three things I would like to bring to your attention that caused him to live above the systems of the world, namely:
1. A consciousness of Life and Immortality;
The Apostle wrote about the new creations oneness with the Lord, he said, “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” 1 Corinthians 6:17. Furthermore, the Apostle continued to say, “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones,” Ephesians 5:30. Based on these scriptures we can allude that the Apostle had an understanding that the man who is in Christ is in inseparable union with the Lord.
This is God’s greatest miracle. He made it possible for man to house God in his fullness. Paul knew and understood this reality. Again he wrote and said, “…For you are the temple of the living God....” 2 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV. The new creation is Gods sanctuary. If this be true, it alludes that no virus, chronic disease or bacteria can have any access into God’shouse.
Furthermore, Paul introduces us to the life of God. He explains that “Jesus Christ…hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” 2 Timothy 1:10. Death has been destroyed connoting it has been rendered harmless and ineffective in our lives. Moreover, Paul says Jesus has brought life and Immortality. Life is a gift. What do you do with a gift? You receive it and celebrate it by personalizing it through the law of confession.
Finally, Paul introduces us to a consciousness of our environment in Christ. Paul explains that “...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV. It is imperative for us to understand that Christ is not just the son of God but also an environment. In the above scripture Paul refers to Christ the environment. This connotes the new creature is in a place called in Christ.
Moreover Paul continues to explain that, “When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.” Colossians 2:11 NLT. We have come to the place called in Christ and in this place the part of us that was subject to sickness and infections has been removed. This was Paul’s consciousness. He understood that by reason of being in this place called Christ it was impossible for him to be sick nor be infected. This is why even when he was bitten by a snake he did not panic rather he simply shook it off.
Through this study knowledge has come. The next phase is to cultivate a consciousness of these truths. This is achieved through the art of meditation. However, it does not end there. These realities we speak. This is what distinguished the Apostle Paul. In like manner, as you do the same, you will find yourself responding the same way he did to adverse situations.
CONFESSION
I’m born of God; therefore, I’ve overcome the world and its failing systems. Irrespective of raging oppositions I win; I triumph gloriously by the power of the Holy Ghost that’s at work in me mightily. I’m more than a conqueror; convinced of my eternal victory over Satan, advancing in life from glory to glory, in Jesus Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV
Romans 8:11 NKJV
Romans 8:2 NKJV
John 1:12-13 NKJV
Psalm 91:7 NLT
1 Corinthians 15:51 MSG