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.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

(Acts 16:16-18 NKJV)

Do we recognize demonic activity? It isn’t always as evident as this passage about Paul and the demon possessed slave girl.  Let’s dig into this passage and see what treasures we can uncover about the spirit world.

Notice where Paul was headed. He was on his way to a prayer meeting, and not just once, nor twice, but every day, this demon possessed girl met them.

What hinders our prayers? What stops us while on our way to prayer? We probably aren’t going to an organized meeting like Paul and his companions, but we may have a habit of praying after breakfast. Perhaps, it is something we set time aside for before we call it a night.

We can usually keep our appointments with God, but occasionally, or perhaps during certain seasons, something keeps us from prayer.

It seems harmless. A phone call, a bill we forgot to pay, or an early morning doctors’ appointment. Is that demonic activity? Yes, it is.

We find that proof right here in the Word of God. Here we have a demon possessed girl who consistently interferes with God’s workers going to pray. Any attempt to keep us from prayer is a result of enemy interference.

We also see that demonic activity disguises itself as a minister of light. Is there any harm in announcing that these men are the servants of God? Isn’t it actually a good thing that this girl proclaims that they have the message of salvation?

We need to discern people, activities, and circumstances under the lens of truth. Otherwise, we might engage with the powers of darkness.

Paul decided to do something about this annoying and demonic announcement. He cast the demon out of the girl. Then her masters who used her to make money with fortune telling grew angry at Paul, because he messed up their scheme. Is there a money trail behind the potential activity of the enemy? Sometimes, there’s nothing other than keeping us from prayer or something else, but at other times, money can be involved. Think of the lucrative businesses of sex trafficking and drugs.

So, now we have a clearer insight on what spiritual warfare looks like, why it happens, and what to avoid.

Originally posted on October 31, 2022 @ 1:10 am