TUESDAY August 15, 2023
A Demonic Encounter
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.
Acts 16:16-18
Whenever the Spirit of God is moving, the enemy counterattacks. This event was such an encounter. When Paul and the others were praying, a slave girl who was demon possessed began to harass them. She had a spirit of divination, and her masters made a lot of money from her demonic ability of fortune telling. A demon spoke through her, but demons do not know the future; they only know the past. They are always lying and deceiving people who listen to them.
Under the control of a demon, the young girl revealed Paul, Silas and Timothy’s mission. She actually spoke the truth. The evil spirit knew Paul and his company were God’s servants––servants of the Most High God–– who proclaimed the way of salvation. They were setting people free! How did this demon know them? Interestingly, demons know all those who are Christ’s servants. They know Jesus––they tremble at His name.
When a tormented, demonized man ran to Jesus to worship him, the unclean sprit within cried out: “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me” (Mark 5:7). Jesus commanded the spirit: “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” (Mark 5:8). Jesus has all authority over fallen angels––demons.
The young girl followed the apostles for many days. Finally, Paul had enough! Addressing the demon and not the girl, he commanded: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her” (Acts 16:18). Jesus gave His followers the same authority over demonic spirits: ...He [Jesus] called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1). Never be afraid of demons––we are children of the light!
There is neither in heaven nor earth nor hell anything that we need to fear when we are once right with God.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
