Do you know that God made sheep with immunity to snake venom? As I read an article talking about this, my thoughts immediately went to us. In the Bible, followers of Jesus are referred to as sheep. (See John 10:27.)
Can you think of a time when you experienced the sting of rejection, defeat, harsh words, attack or false accusations? Do you ever remember life coming at you fast and furious or when you felt the pain of betrayal or trauma?
The wound can leave an entry point for demonic venom to flow through our systems in these moments.
These sheep do not just survive a dose of venom in the natural but can also provide us with lifesaving antivenom!
God has placed within you these same qualities. We understand the following:
- We do not wage war as the world does (2 Cor. 10:3).
- The weapon that comes against us cannot prosper (Isa. 54:17).
- We are to be salt and light to a hurting world — we point people to Jesus (Matt. 5:13-16).
There are times when we are foul-smelling, just like the sheep. However, that does not change what they — or what we — contain.
We need to touch the Shepherd to be healed and purified. In those moments, we remember that we are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and therefore, we carry His DNA in our being. When Jesus died and was resurrected, He trampled every demonic power and authority (Ps. 110:1; Eph. 1:22).
We have the power and the authority to hold our ground against the demonic.
Next time you feel the venom sting, how will you respond? Are you a warrior created to win victories and take ground? Just like the sheep, you may swell up and feel discomfort, but you carry something on the inside of you that has more power than what comes against you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for when I have allowed the sting of the moment and the feeling of venom coursing through my veins to consume me. Forgive me for the times when I have not relied on You, my Healer. I receive all that You have put within me. Your Word says that I can tread on the serpent and drink poison and I will not be harmed (Mark 16:18). Your Word also says that I do not wage war as the world does and that I am created in Your image (2 Cor. 10:3, Gen. 1:27). Therefore, I choose this day to align myself with You and who You say that I am. Like the sheep, I not only contain what I need to survive the natural and demonic storms that come against me, but I also carry the antivenom that others need to be set free. Thank You, Father, that I can be and do so much more than I can see now. Please open my eyes to see myself as You do. In Jesus’ name, amen. {eoa}
Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for the Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her books Positioned: How to be Aligned & Empowered to Walk in Your Divine Destiny and Everyday Prophetic will help you grow in your walk with God. Please visit her website, Ruthhendrickson.com, her Facebook page at facebook.com/RuthHendrickson.org/, her YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/RuthHendrickson, and her podcast, Real Truth with Truth on the Charisma Podcast Network.
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