The Spirit Of Python - The Enemy From Within
SOCIAL UNHOLINESS AND LIVING A LIE FROM WITHIN THE COMPANY OF TRUTH DOESN'T PREVENT THE GOSPEL FROM OPENING PRISON DOORS
A passage from the book of Acts chapter sixteen verses sixteen through twenty two:
One day as the apostle Paul and his followers were going down to the place of prayer, they met a demon possessed slave girl who had the spirit of Python which enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
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.
The hopes of the masters of the demon possessed woman were shattered, they were upset at the loss of wealth they had previously gained through her demonic premonitions, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. They shouted to the city authorities and officials, “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews. They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them to be stripped naked and beaten with wooden rods. (Enhanced by me)
Opening statement (my assertion)
The followers of Jesus Christ are not simply charged with tinkering around spiritually from within the machines of the worldly ways of things. They are meant to be so much more. They're meant to be cleansing, healing, and liberating the lost from the unclean disease and bondage of this humanist culture. Christians are citizens of a new covenant in Jesus Christ, they are from above, and their testimony signals the demise of all the lesser promises made by false gods, both spiritual and human.
Paul and Silas (joined also by Timothy) did in fact go down to the place of prayer. They participated in the spiritual worship. And then...?
And then they went outdoors into the world of the corrupted culture. And the wicked spirits knew them.
Why did the demonic spirit know them?
Well...let's first take a look a bit deeper into this spirit of Python. Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl (steeped in Roman culture) who is possessed with the “spirit of Python” (πνεῦμα πύθωνα). This Python spirit is the serpent or dragon that guarded the Delphic Oracle at Mt. Parnassus. Apollo was also the god most associated with prophecy in the Greek world, particularly through the priestesses who were associated with the Delphic Oracle. These were significant influencers within the culture of the day. These priestesses were the internet content creators of the time. And they were not only possessed by a demonic spirit, but they were also owned by "handlers", so called masters, in an age where slavery was part of the daily lives of most people. No one questioned these people, it just wasn't done.
Why does the wicked spirit force the girl to identify Paul and Silas in this way? Not only that, why would Paul cast that spirit out if it's sharing the truth about them? Why not work with it? Why not give her the mic and let her testify for them? Seems like you'd maybe win over to your own cause a lot more of the corrupt culture in this way. You know, speak their language, wear their costumes and customs. Maybe even ink up your skin like them to make a connection that you can build on. Inclusion and infusion? 🤔 More likely infection by the culture poisoning everyone.
And the funny thing is, the hearers of this screeching woman would have perceived her message as being a positive thing at least in regards to what Paul and friends were teaching. But that encounter instead lands them in prison. All their teaching and preaching and healing and transforming acts of kindness lands them in prison. And the demon possessed girl? Is she really "healed", or just an empty vessel now ripe for being revisited by a legion of spirits? 🤔
Why? Why was she healed, why were they thrown in prison? Why not get in bed with the culture and reach more people?
As today's culture would say, because they (f'd) messed around and found out. The followers of Jesus Christ had the power and authority to cast out the spirit of Python. And they also had the power and authority to change lives and transform cultures. And that's what Jesus had in mind all along. Not getting his followers into the mainstream and having them learn to swim along with the worldly riptide. Jesus instead was involved in changing the course of that streaming platform. Jesus was setting a new course for the people to follow, a new culture, a culture of social holiness and spiritual awareness. And he didn't need the help of a wicked spirit to do it. After all he has the Holy Spirit. The true and best witness in this book of Acts story, is the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't need Paul and friends to change in order to fit in, he sent them to change the culture, not become one with it.
Throughout the gospels we see demonic spirits calling out the truth about Jesus. Their motives for exposing the truth are not certain. But one thing we can be certain of, these wicked spirits are not friendly and willing helpers looking to protect the people with this truth telling.
In this book of Acts story it's likely the cultural hearers in that place would not have perceived the slave girls protestations as meaning Paul was from God the father as we understand it. They would not have perceived him as being from the Lord God that we understand him to be authorized by. They most likely would have seen this premonition as being about one of their own gods, maybe Zeus. And so in this way she's misleading the hearers. She's subverting the truth by seemingly sharing a truth. A lie within the truth. Christianity mingled with the pagan gods. Jesus plus...(insert your cultural creature comforts here). 🤔
How did being accused of a crime and going to prison change lives?
(The rest of the story)
Paul and friends end up in prison for speaking the truth, (look around friends, it's happening again today). But God uses their time there to transform entire families. I invite you to read (Acts 16:22-40). So there is hope. Don't be afraid. Jesus isn't overcome by a wicked spirit. He has authority over them. And he'll use their wicked schemes every time to make an open prison door for the gospel to do it's just and honest work.
Yeah Mike, but what about all this false Christian character we're seeing today within the church culture? It doesn't seem interested in being healed?
First let me say, nothing can hinder the true unadulterated Gospel. This story in Acts testifies to that. But that doesn't mean the culture won't win a bunch of battles here and there. Take a look around today. Visit a Christian church these days. Listen to the gospel being shared. Can you see the spirit of Python maybe inked on the pastors arms and neck? Can you hear the Python slithering around within the leadership and among the study teachers and participants? Are they changing the world, or is the world changing them. Are they presenting "a look", an atmosphere? Or are they sharing the truthful gospel that is the same today as it was when the demon possessed slave girl called it out and in doing so inadvertently confirmed it?
Paul was not just annoyed by the slave girl, he was deeply pissed off by the situation and so he casts out the demon without any ritual or words other than, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
Friends, have you ever wanted to stand up within the congregation and say, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
I'm going to confess here and now, I've spent years, of many a Sunday mornings, praying from the pew these very words, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
And the result has been interesting.
Did they change?
Yes and no.
Some became redpilled. Some became despondent. Some found new connections and worked on building new churches (probably one of the best responses). And others refocused (like myself) on being the hands, feet, and voice of God in parachurch environments (prison ministry for me). And others, unfortunately most, warmed up cozy with the Python spirit, or simply sat there silently still hoping for something better to happen on its own.
This church of the last days has not returned to health again. Not seeking healing. No real lasting revival that is taking hold of the culture. They in fact dug in deeper like a tick on a hound, and many of them became more infected and sick 😷. The misleading Python demon is holding on tight, sinking its teeth in deep and poisoning everyone it can. And many faithful people in the Christian church culture have suffered under these cultural influencers weight.
Solution: Always leave them with a spirit of truth and hope
Friends,
Have reverence for God.
Live holy for God.
Stay awake ready for God.
Live by these principles and you'll never lose your way among the frauds. I survived decades among them in this way. And the only thing I can attest too that explains me not being misled by the seduction, was my constant prayers against the wicked spirits, and asking the Ancient of Days' word constantly and genuinely for his wisdom. I revered The Creator. Never stopped, never questioned. I lived holiness to the best of my abilities, meaning I know I'm failing every day, but I genuinely desire and strive to remain holy when I can. And I never take my eyes off of Jesus. I am forever on the edge of my seat looking for Jesus and The Holy Spirits' next adventure for me. I'm forever listening for his small still voice. I'm daily awakened by his word, and learning his wisdom. My eyes are open. The door is open. And the result is his mysterious face is not hidden from me.
These are my works, they don't make me holy. Living these principles helps me to conquer the wicked world trying to deceive me. These principles help cast out this humanist world that is forever sending its cultural "gods" telling everyone they can be gods in and of themselves (they say, "just join us in our ways" ).
Friends---start here
Ask The Spirit For Help
Romans 8:26-27 (How to be an overcomer)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Some questions for you to reflect on:
1. Have reverence for God.
Share how you do this?
2. Live holy for God.
Share how you do this?
3.Stay awake ready for God.
Share how you do this?
Prayer:
God bless the reader and help them to understand what your good and perfectly and powerfully prepared will for them is. Help them Lord to resist the temptations of this culture and to recognize the Python spirit's slithering around them. Father, in Jesus' name cast out these demonic influencers and misleading messages from their lives. And fill them with your Holy Spirit so that they will stand firm always faithfully in Christ Jesus.
Amen.