Good morning! Have you been in a situation where you were minding your own business and then for some unknown or apparent reason someone began to harass you? After a while did you say – stop that’s enough. Today we are continuing our reading in Acts chapter sixteen; let’s read how Paul responds.

Bible Verse– Acts 16:16-18 NLT

“¹⁶ One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.  ¹⁷ She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”

¹⁸ This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.”

Key Points

• Many people have super natural abilities but you need to be mindful of the spirit that gave/gives them that ability.
• People can misuse your abilities.
• Demons can try to disrupt God’s plan, but they will never succeed.
• Jesus Christ has authority over demons and that is the same power He has given believers to cast them out in Jesus name.

Reflection

In general, we would not give a second thought about an individual who would tell us in advance about the reason someone was here and/or what they intend to do – “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”But in this case, the reason how and why she announced it was the bigger issue.

Throughout the gospels we read on Jesus casting demons out. The demons recognized Jesus – instantly. We read the stories in the book of Matthew, Mark, and Luke on the demons (unclean spirits) who recognize Jesus and beg Him for mercy – even the demons obey His commands. Luke 10:17 says,“¹⁷ When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

Therefore, this situation regarding demons and recognizing them was not new to Paul and Silas, however Paul had had enough – not today Satan. Paul turned and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”

Sisters and brothers, many of the battles we face or are going through are spiritual battles. Ephesians 6 reminds us,“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” We must stop and recognize what spirit is trying to disrupt our peace, our calling, our purpose, and the mission God has called us to. Stop it dead in its tracks 👣- in the name of Jesus. Armor up sisters and brothers – Isaiah 54:17 says, “no weapon formed against us will prosper.” The NLT version says: “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

And Ephesians 6:10-11 says, “¹⁰ Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

Sisters and brothers, have you gotten to the point where you have had enough? What do you need to turn and confront in the name of Jesus? What is your not today Satan? Is it that marriage, is it that child, is it that job or those co-workers, is it the neighbor, or is it our nation? Whatever it is declare victory over it, in the mighty name of Jesus. Start seeing with your spiritual eyes 👀 and suit up in the armor 🛡 using every spiritual weapon the Lord has given you (Ephesians 6:10-18) to combat demonic forces lurking and seeking prey.

Keep praying. Keep seeking God.

Keep pressing forward in Jesus name.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for your love toward us. Lord, we thank you for blessing us and for giving us your mighty power and strength. Lord, forgive us for the times when we allowed Satan to use us. Lord, forgive us for the times when we did not recognize it. Lord, remove any spirit that is not of you from us. Lord, we bind the enemy in the name of Jesus. Lord, touch us and equip us with your power and strength to fight in the armor you provide. Lord, we trust that no weapon formed against us will prosper. We trust that everything is under your command and control. Lord, lead our nation. Lead our nations co-leaders. Lord, provide for those who are in need. Lord, deliver women, men, and children who are in bondage being used by traffickers and other malicious reasons to earn money and/or create harm. Lord, cover your children and bring to justice those who harm them. Lord, keep us and continue to use us in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

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