What is the Bible referring to when it says that Christians can pick up serpents and they won't harm them?

Mark declares,

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.
(Mark 16:17-18 NKJ)

Taking up serpents and drinking anything deadly both refer to the same thing. A believer has the right to be protected from poisonous bites, food, or beverages.

However, we wouldn't want to purposely attempt to induce these things into our bodies; that would be tempting the Lord (Luke 4:9-12).

Here is an example of how this promise worked in the life of the Apostle Paul:

Now when they had escaped, 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 he 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 NKJ)

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