I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Two verses — «They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly things, it shall not hurt them» (Mark 16:18) and «Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you» (Luke 10:19)-- are used by the snake - cult Christians in Appalachia as support for snake - handling and the drinking of poison as tests of Christian faith. (religion-online.org)