Acts 16:16 (NKJV) 16 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.
What is divination?
Webster dictionary – It is the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.
Paul calls it what it is. This slave girl was possessed!
Fortune telling or listening to those who tell fortunes, and operate under such a spirit, is not just a little thing. It can affect our lives hugely.
Letting someone speak, who operates under such a possessed spirit, opens the door for the enemy. And unless we close it, by doing what Paul did and casting it out, it remains and has a home, and it will keep bugging and annoying us.
Acts 16:17-18 (NKJV) 17 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.” 18 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.
If someone has opened up to this spirit in any way, at any time in their life, they need to close the door that has been given to it. It’s very simple. God’s word says to resist the devil and he will flee.
James 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
This type of spirit is very deceiving, because it can say things that may seem true and accurate. For instance, what she said about Paul in verse 17.
But if we let the Holy Spirit show us, just as He showed Paul, through being annoyed with her and what she was doing, we will see what’s really operating. Paul knew it was not right.
Anything that is NOT of God and tries to come off like it is, is perverted, twisted and deceiving. And we all know that these traits come from the devil.
This spirit likes to deceive and it doesn’t matter who we are. It will show it’s bold and ugly face, even in church meetings, bible studies and other gatherings where we would least expect it. It followed Paul for many days until he did something about it.
Don’t let it have a place or a voice around us, no matter how many things it may try to say that seem right.
Let the Holy Spirit help us to discern the difference.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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