LET MY WORDS BE FEW

 Acts 16:16-24

Let’s contrast  this slave woman who had a spirit of divination with Paul, a bond-servant of Christ who had the Spiritual gift of discerning of spirits.  This woman’s owners were making themselves rich on this demonic spirit of fortune telling.  In contrast, Jesus told his disciples they were  to go out and heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and CAST OUT DEMONS, FREE OF CHARGE (Mat 10:8).  Jesus said, “In my name, they will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17) and this they did without profit.  In fact, they cast out demons to their own detriment and without concern for their own welfare.  

Because Paul and Silas cast out the evil spirit, they were seized, dragged through the market place, brought before rulers, stripped of their clothing, beaten with rods and thrown into prison with their feet locked into stocks.  All of this was the consequence Paul and Silas received for obeying the instruction of Jesus, to his followers, to cast out demons. 

Which spirit influenced  the slave woman and which spirit influences you? The truth is, we will all stand before God one day and give an account for our words and deeds.  No one will be able to blame the devil or say, “ the devil made me do it”. .  Even though demons have great influence on human behaviors, we still are accountable  for our choices.   The reality is, every evil that has ever been done on this earth has human fingerprints all over it.   

This  woman was given the opportunity to walk free of her spiritual bondage and turn to Jesus who cast out her demons, through His bond-slave, Paul. Unfortunately, her human owners weren’t willing to see her set free.  They preferred the riches of this world instead of freedom in Christ.  

Demons are purely the spirits of fallen angels.  What connects an evil demonic spirit with a human host is rebellion and  sin.  They can smell it and are attracted to it.  They inhabit humans who are unrepentant and sin-sick. The good news is something wonderful happened at the cross.  The death and resurrection of Jesus opened the way for us to believe the gospel message and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Like Jesus, a believer can say, “The prince of this world is coming, but he has no place in me (John 14:30).  When we receive Christ, we receive a new Spirit.  He comes to take residence in our body.  We are now his temple and home.  We can now draw near to God, resist the devil and he MUST flee.  

A demon only has power over those who believe its lies.  When we know the Truth, the truth will set us free.  

Question:  Jesus wants to set you free by delivering you from the evil one.   Have you trusted Jesus as your sin-bearer and savior? Have you renounced the spirits of darkness who only come to steal, kill and destroy? Have you asked Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit and  to deliver you from evil?   Will you,  this day, choose  to be a bond-servant of Jesus, forsaking all other spirits of influence and surrender your whole life to follow Him, no matter the cost? Let us know if you would like prayer.  God’s gifts are free and life-giving.