the following

‘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

Paul and Silas were in Philippi on a tour to share, teach and preach the gospel when they obtained a new follower

Yet, Paul and Silas did not need a notification to alert them to their new follower

She was intent on being a nuisance and an ever-present source of noise

She more than made her presence known – so much so that Paul finally had to address it

Understand that not everyone’s intention in following you is because they admire you

Some are present with the sole-purpose of tracking your movements –

                and trying to be a source of distraction and irritation

This young lady was no different, except that her actions were being led by demonic forces

‘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. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.’ Acts 16:18-19

Paul was annoyed with the demon spirit within the girl and called it out

The masters were irate when they realized their profit machine had been tampered with

The girl was likely exasperated from being abused, controlled and manipulated

After all, she was a simple and helpless slave, a pawn being exploited and dominated

                Used by her masters [much like a pimp utilizes a prostitute]

                Used by the demon [as a willing or unwilling vessel]

She was no longer in control of her own actions – her mind, will, emotion and body all held captive

 

Paul knew what it was like to be used by the enemy in the most vile ways –

He used to lead the charge in killing followers of Jesus Christ, and thought he was on a holy mission. He continued in his efforts, even standing by and consenting at the stoning of Stephen [Acts 7 & 8]

He carried on with his daily business until Jesus interrupted his assignment –

Paul was literally knocked from his high horse, blinded and ultimately transformed [Acts 9]

Paul was annoyed with the spirit which the girl carried [or the spirit which carried the girl]

It can be viewed either way. Her actions were not her own.

Her assignments for many days was to be a distraction and to attempt to interrupt the work of ministry being performed by Paul and Silas. But God had a very different assignment for her life on that particular day – FREEDOM

Jesus said in John 10:10, 

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. 

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Understand that the battle is not against flesh and blood

Many of the people we encounter on a daily basis are an empty shell

Worn out, broken and used by life and the enemy – they need love and deliverance

They need Jesus – a genuine encounter like Paul had, a freeing encounter like the girl had

Our task is to keep to our assignments,

shining the light of the LORD and being that light to the best of our ability

‘Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.’ Ephesians 6:18

But remember that everyone needs prayer – the just and unjust alike

Let us pray that the people following us to Jesus are not only those who already know Him.

 

Have a Blessed Day!

 

‘The LORD is not willing that any should perish’

2 Peter 3:9