Memorable Moments

At that moment the spirit left her. Acts 16: 18b

Paul and Silas are in Philippi, as they continue their mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. It is on this mission that they encounter an evil spirit that has been controlling a slave girl. Let us go slowly here and listen to these words about this slave girl. She was controlled by a spirit, that which was not flesh and blood, that which was not human. On the other hand, she was manipulated by humans, flesh and blood, that which is of the earth, mortals. It is something like the electricity we have in our homes. The source, the power is not controlled by us. We have absolutely nothing to do with the source of power, and how it is sent down to us. But we control the use of it. Whether we use much or little, at night or in the day, we are the manipulators of this power. We work this power as we want, to our advantage.

Is this not the picture before us, when we see this slave girl? Is this not what Paul encounters when he comes into contact with this one who is possessed and controlled by this spirit? Is this not the truth of all of us who are controlled by deceiving spirits, such as the power of hidden fears, doubts, uncertainties and many more? The girl was manipulated by those who owned her and used her gift to their advantage. This fact must be seen, and faced by us all. All who are controlled by forces that are not flesh and blood, are usually manipulated by forces that are flesh and blood. Slave owners owned this girl and used her ability to predict the future, to their full advantage. Her slave owners made money by her.

Now that Paul and Silas are in town, this possessed girl is following them everywhere. She is following them and shouting truths about them. Listen again to what she is saying to everyone, wherever she follows Paul.

• These men are servants of the Most High God. This is perfect truth.

• These men are telling you the way to be saved. This too is perfect truth.

Although she is no physical threat to these men, she is a spiritual threat. Paul is troubled by this girl who is proclaiming God as the One True God, and them as His true servants. This follower is not doing them any physical harm, not doing them any wrong. Using simple human reasoning, it would seem as though this possessed person is working for them, not against them. She is trying to get people to follow Paul and Silas. But Paul is seeing differently, because something does not sit down well with him. He tolerates her for a time, then he can take it no longer. He has to put an end to this evil.

Return to this possessed one. All the while she is speaking the truths about God as Most High God, and about Paul and Silas, as God’s true servants, she is still controlled by the unwanted spirit. Give us hearing ears Lord!

One day, Paul came to the end of his tolerance, and spoke directly to the spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her. At that moment, the spirit left her. What a Memorable Moment! It is a Memorable Moment, when the power of God’s Holy Spirit, in His servant, proved itself over the power of the devil’s evil spirit, in the devil’s servant. Note, there was no resisting on the part of the evil spirit. It simply obeyed. The Power of God still gives Memorable Moments. Any unwanted spirit that controls us, can be cast out by, and in, His Name. He still is Lord of all evil. Blessed be the Powerful Name of JESUS!

Holy God, please let Your Holy Word command the controlling evil in me to be removed. Lord, I too need my Memorable Moment. Holy Spirit, take me and be my controller and manipulator. God be praised. Amen!