Written criticism – even if they drink deadly poison, it will not harm them.

In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the correct understanding of the verse: “If they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them” (Mark 16:18), emphasizing that the Bible should not be interpreted through a single verse alone but through the complete teaching of Scripture.

His Holiness warns against taking this verse literally or using it to test God, as some people do by drinking poison to “prove” faith. Christ Himself rejected such an act when He said, “Do not test the Lord your God,” referring to His temptation on the mountain, when He refused to throw Himself down from the temple.

He explains that Jesus taught His disciples to be cautious and not to expose themselves to danger on purpose, saying, “Beware of men.” True faith relies on God’s care without recklessness or pride.

His Holiness clarifies that God may miraculously protect someone from poison or harm if He wills it—such as in the story of Saint George—but this does not justify deliberately endangering oneself to test God.

The spiritual message of the lecture is that genuine faith is based on calm trust in God’s providence, combined with wisdom and obedience to His commandments.

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