Luke 10:19 (NKJV): "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
These were some of Jesus' words to the disciples as He sent them out into every city and place (Luke 10:1). The word 'authority' (or 'power' in King James Version) here is 'exousia' in Greek, which actually means 'the right, privilege, mastery, force, or ability'. In other words, Jesus has given you (the believers) the right over all the power of the enemy! Notice the word 'all' here, and not just 'some'. Praise God!
And as you take this 'right' He has given you, He also assures you that 'nothing shall by any means hurt you'! In Greek, the words 'hurt you' here can also mean 'be unjust (toward you), do wrong (against you), injure you, or harm you'.
Isaiah 54:17 confirms it by saying, 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn'. You know what this means? When the 'enemy' forms his 'weapons' against you, they can never prosper (or succeed) and they can never hurt you! Why? Simply because you have a 'big brother' with you. In other words, you are in Christ! So, it's not about who you are, but whose you are! You are His! You belong to Him, and that makes a whole lot of difference!
In Acts 28, Luke wrote an account of how the the serpent (a picture of 'the devil') could not harm Paul. 'Now when they had escaped (from the tempest), they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But Paul shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god' (Acts 28:1-6). Now of course Paul wasn't a god, but he had Someone whom those natives did not have at that time! Paul then went on to heal all those who had diseases on the island (see Acts 28:7-9).
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Note: Of course, you don't ask for the serpent to bite you, or to drink anything deadly to prove a point here, but Jesus meant 'if the serpent comes or if you drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt you'.
Notice the words 'those who believe' here? Jesus Himself said, "As you have believed, so let it be done for you" (see Matthew 8:13) and "According to your faith (i.e. as you have believed) let it be to you" (Matthew 9:29).
In a world that's full of 'fiery darts' every where, the same Paul had this to say, "...above all, taking the shield of faith (i.e. believing heart) with which you will be able to quench (extinguish, put out the fire) all the fiery darts of the wicked one' (see Ephesians 6:16).
You see, these 'fiery darts' can even come through people, e.g. "Well, I think you are never meant to prosper in life. Maybe you are fated to be poor!", or "Your grandparents had cancer, your parents had cancer, well, there's a high likelihood that you will have it too!"
Take your authority and rebuke the 'fiery darts' in Jesus' name, because these are definitely not what the Word of God says about you! 3 John 2 says 'you shall prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers', and Galatians 3:13-14 says 'you are blessed with the blessing of Abraham because Jesus has become a curse for you on the tree (cross)'.
No wonder Paul wrote 'above all' (i.e. 'of foremost importance'), take the shield of faith! That's how important your faith (or believing heart) is! People of God, never allow the devil (or anyone) to pull down this 'shield of faith' that's yours! Because if this shield of faith is down, fear and doubt will most definitely creep in.
Psalm 91:3-6 says, 'Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (small shield). You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday'. And Psalm 23:4 says, 'Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me'.
So, people of God, fear not because He is with you and He has also given you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19) in this end-time. As Paul put it, 'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil' (Ephesians 6:10-11). Amen.
