Pythian Spirit
Once when Paul and Silas were going to the place of prayer they were met by a female slave who had a an evil spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and Silas, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Acts 16:16-17
This visit to the river was much different than Paul’s first when he met Lydia. Instead of finding a woman whos heart was open to the Lord, he found a girl who was possessed with pythian spirit. (Greek translation)
The word python came to mean a demon-possed person through whom the Python spoke. This demonic spirit knows that the presense and power of God are with Paul and Silas. Although the words he speaks through the girl are true, his intention is to disrupt and mock the preaching of the gospel.
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
After Paul cast the demon out of the girl, she could no longer tell fortunes and the business of her owners was wiped out. In exorcising the demon, Paul also cast out the salve owners’ means of income and they became enraged and dragged the men before the local magistrates. Their greed was exposed by the truth of the gospel.
How sad that these men took advantage of this young girls’ dire condition. They didn’t see her need for healing and freedom only what she could do for them. They didn’t see her as a lost soul only as a source of income.
What I love about this story is that what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good. The message of the gospel. In mockery, the enemy spoke the words that God would use to save her.
It was no longer about what she could do, but about what God had done.
Have you ever felt like you were just a number, that people only cared about what you could do for them – not who you are?
This story is a reminder that God sees and knows. His saving message of grace is just as powerful now as it was then. He can free us from the words and holds of the enemy.
While we might not be demoned possesed, we all have moments when we surrender to the enemies temptations to sin. It begins with thoughts and then winds it’s sneeky evil way to words and then actions. No wonder the devil is called a serpent, a snake.
But ask yourself, how do I resist the temptation and find freedom? The same way that Jesus did when he was tempted… He repeatedly spoke the word of God. It is written…..
The bible tells us that the only weapon we need is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The enemy has no choice but to surrender to the power and will of God.
Be Intentional about resising the enemy with the Word of God.
Praises & Prayers
Father, thank you for the saving power of Your Word. Help us to swing that sword often so that we can resist the vile, sneeky attacks of the enemy. Thank you for seeing us as so much more than what we can do, but seeing us through the eyes of what You’ve already done. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.