The Signs That Will Accompany Those Who Believe

Mark 16:17-18, NIV
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."


When a baby is born as a prince, he grows up with all the authority of a prince. Similarly, from the moment we become a child of God through faith in Jesus, we are given all authority as God’s children. Living with the authority that the Lord has given enables us to prosper in everything with good health, even as our souls are getting along well.

1. They will drive out demons (v.17).

We are given authority to drive out demons. Although invisible, many demons work behind- the-scenes of people. With the name of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we must drive out the demons of filth, evil, lies, disease, anxiety, fear, anger, hatred, and oppression (Jas 4:7; Rev 12:11).

2. They will speak in new tongues (v.17).

New tongues are heavenly languages that the Holy Spirit gives us. When the Holy Spirit fills us, our languages are changed into heavenly languages (Ac 2:4). When we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit does not only intercede for us (Ro 8:26), but also our prayer grows deeper. Moreover, when we are filled with the grace of Jesus Christ, we can speak absolutely positive and thankful words.

3. They will pick up snakes with their hands (v.18).

Snakes signify the enemy, the devil, who is the father of lies (Mk 16:18). The snake tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God and eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. To pick up snakes means to remove lies and live according to the truth. When we have Jesus Christ in us, live a Jesus-centered life, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can always “pick up snakes”.

4. When they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all (v.18).

The Lord said, "When believers drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all." Poison itself makes us scared, but the poison of languages that we experience in human relationships really makes us scared. When we hear people using words of anger and despair, such poisonous words can kill people. However, when we always pray and are filled with the Word and the Holy Spirit, the poison disappears.

5. They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well (v.18).

The Christian faith is a faith of healing. God said, "I am the LORD, who heals you" (Ex 15:26). Jesus was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isa 53:5). He healed the sick wherever He went (Mt 4:23-24). Jesus, who is the same yesterday and today and forever, heals us today, too.

Come to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness of sins and for freedom from sickness and the devil. I pray that you will resist the enemy, the devil, with the authority of God's children, and live a victorious life of faith.