The Python Spirit (Acts 16:16)
This
spiritual attack and demonic affront comes with particular characteristics and
possibly during a vulnerable season of weariness and need for encouragement.
Key
words
Weariness,
fatigue, confusion, frustration, heaviness, depressions, oppression, pressure,
discouragement, factions, divisions.
I
Corinthians 1:10-13
Acts 16:16 the python spirit – divination
Paul confronted this demonic spirit in Philippi. It was one of the demonic spirits named in the New Testament. A fortune teller or diviner, this woman met them, followed them and shouted announcements. Most would consider this a good thing. Someone is shouting out who we are and affirming us, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." Uh. Sounds good. Yet, everyone who saw her attached to Paul and Silas could conclude they were "of the same spirit". For days she continued in the same activity following Paul and proclaiming and shouting out affirmations that sounded correct.
Keep in mind. Jesus was confronted by Satan himself on occasion as the Devil thought he had opportunity. Matthew 4:1-f He also confronted Legion and many other fallen angelic spirits. Satan and his cohorts are always looking for a moment of opportunity to deceive (Sow lies), confuse (cloud the truth and resolute action and focus) and hinder (but things in the way of the servants of the Lord to stall, slow, and hinder the advance of the Kingdom.). The Master encountered Satan. We will as well. Better to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves in the face of his attacks.
Here is an overview of the characteristics of this spiritual attack.
1.
Positive
affirmation of Paul’s ministry and ours – from a clearly demonic fortune teller who is not noted as repenting or being baptized. Drawing close, causing confusion, preparing
for the ultimate connection of his ministry with theirs. Wearying them. Tightening the fatigue and passivity.
2.
All that the
apostles did in miracles, healings, signs etc would be associated with the
slave girl as well. Associated with divination.
3.
Jesus did not
allow demons to associate with him even when they spoke the truth about him. He would silence them.
Side Note: The Devil is clear on who Jesus is and who his servants are.
Sons of Sceva - Acts 19:14
4.
She kept this
up for many days. Paul and Silas took a while to realize that their guard was down. That they were passive toward this "voice". To discern the python spirit confronting their ministry.
5.
The word for
how Paul felt when he turned and rebuked the spirit was…
6.
Toil, work
hard; passive nature of the verb – worn out, at the end of ones tether. Paul and Silas were at their ropes end. The account does not say they had breakthrough or report salvation or miracles? Until the spirit was defeated.
7.
Flattery, and
spiritual perception were part of the attack.
Why didn’t Paul perceive a demonic spirit
influenced the diviner? What was the outcome described after… “She kept this
up for many days.”
She kept up her yelling and announcing with incessant
continuance.
It wore Paul out. Most likely that is when he perceived the
attack and the “way of the python spirit” affronting him.
The environment/atmosphere was one of squeezing, slowly,
incessantly, and continuously. Just like a python snake. Every breath you take it tightens is grip.
Ephesians 6:12
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore,
take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in
the evil day, and having done everything,
to stand firm.…"
The Python Spirit
· Comes in times of uncertainty when encouragement is
needed – when we are tired, worn down.
When we are not seeing all we expect or when we face a difficult challenges.
Key - we start to make agreements with enemy perspectives, slowly, step by step, as weariness and fatigue creep in. For every agreement the energy of the Spirit shrinks, is sapped out of us. Everything starts shrinking as the attack grows tighter and tighter and we loose all sense of creativity, power in the Spirit and energy for advancing.
We loose sight of the power of the Kingdom.
We loose sight of the creativity and breakthrough of the Spirit.
We loose sight of who we are "in Christ". Eph 1
We loose sight of a faith filled heart seeking the Father's way to new life and power.
We loose sight of exercising the power we carry.
We loose sight of our God in our midst as a mighty creative and guiding grace to lead us through any and all hindrances and challenges in our mission with Jesus.
For instance. Paul allowed this woman to be among them and to follow "for many days". Possibly he was encouraged by the flattery in a weak moment. As things tightened up and they did not see a breakthrough in the Kingdom possibly they lost their perspective of the Kingdom.
Giving in to one though here, one thought there. Letting go of the victory in Christ and the simple leading of the Holy Spirit.
Key: Passivity is a sign of "giving in" to the Enemy. Jesus is never passive. He is always working in the will of the Father.
What to look for?
· It Comes around an environment of Spiritual
power – it is false expression –divination – familiar spirit knowledge. Soul knowledge. Demonic knowledge. It lacks any power in the Spirit but presents itself as knowledge of the spirit.
· It Flatters and gains influence by affirmation, identifying
with the ministry in its reality, yet offering no real energy in the Spirit for the ministry. This is key.
Simon Magus - was confronted by Peter.
Eventually this woman was confronted and released from the demonic oppression of her life.
· It seeks to come alongside and identify with true
spiritual authority – but has none. Wearying the mission leaders with affirmations but no rain. Clouds with no rain. Proverbs 25:14
"Like clouds with no rain is one who boasts of gifts never given."
· It causes weariness, a beat down feeling, a passivity to miracles, prophetic grace and breakthrough vision. Paul learned to overcome this and you can to.
2 Corinthians 4:8
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing
greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;…"
Key: We live in the tension of the NOW and the Not YET. The Kingdom of God is here and is coming in fullness. We see it now and we hope in it for what is not yet. This is the normal position of Kingdom Saints. Moving from the faith deposit to the Hope assurance to the Love Fruit.
This is an important lesson and central to frontier mission activity in the Kingdom of God. We have to learn the ways of breakthrough. We have to learn about these battles, hindrances and spiritual confrontations and move through them with power and love.
· Is not in deep relationship or accountable
relationship with true spiritual authority.
· Points to itself as “spiritually discerning”
“spiritually in tune with revelation”
· Meditate on ACTS 16:16-24
Characteristics
of a Spirit of Python
By
Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s
Luke
uses “spirit of python” in regards to this slave girl probably because the
spirit operating in her was like the one at Delphi. There is, of course, the
possibility that she had actually been to Delphi and that is where she picked
up this false spirit. It is important to note that what she said was true.
Satan and demons have some knowledge and will reveal their “secrets” in order
to impress and draw people into their destructive web. Only our God, however, is omniscient, i.e.,
all knowing.
Here
are some of the traits of a spirit of python that are obvious in this
narrative.
It
loves to flatter. The prophecy of
this young woman was not given to encourage or affirm, but to flatter. We all
need to give and receive affirmation and encouragement, but flattery is
insincere and self-serving. So many today, including leaders, are so starved
for affirmation and approval that they are vulnerable to the flatteries of a
deceiving, python spirit. Our security is in being so settled in God’s
acceptance and approval that we are no longer susceptible to the flatteries of
a false prophetic spirit. Beware of those who use prophecy to flatter and,
thereby, gain advantage.
It demands attention. This is
indicated by the fact that she followed Paul and the others for “many days”
continually giving forth her prophecy. Beware of those who use prophecy to
thrust themselves into the limelight.
It
loves to be seen and heard. This is indicated by
the fact that she kept putting herself at the center of attention. Make note of
those who use prophecy to make themselves the center of attention.
It wants to be important. This
is indicated by the fact that she directed her prophesying to the leaders of
this new movement. Beware of those who use prophecy to gain status with pastors
and leaders.
There is often a monetary motive
involved. This young slave girl was raking in a lot of money for her
masters. I am afraid this same motive is at work in the charismatic/prophetic
movement today, usually in very subtle ways. I once saw a man, who probably had
a genuine gift of prophecy; express his desire to pray for everyone who would
bring a $20.00 offering for his ministry to the front. As he prayed and then
prophesied over each one, I saw women looking in their purses for money so they
could go forward and get a “word.” I believe this man was opening himself to a
false spirit—a spirit of python—by his devious actions.
By
Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s
Kingdom Opposites
Constriction
– Control
Weariness
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Remember what the Amalekites did to
you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
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When you were weary and worn out,
they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they
had no fear of God.
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When the LORD your God gives you rest
from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an
inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do
not forget!
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Ps 63 - my soul clings to you….
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Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He
will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
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He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak.
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Even youths grow tired and weary, and
young men stumble and fall;
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but those who hope in the LORD will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and
not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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Ps
50:4-11 instructs me in words for the
weary
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"Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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Fatigue
Confusion
– Throw our enemies into confusion Lord our God
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The LORD threw them into confusion
before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued
them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to
Azekah and Makkedah.
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May all who seek to take my life be
put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in
disgrace.
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May those who seek my life be put to
shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
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which is really no gospel at all.
Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to
pervert the gospel of Christ.
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I am confident in the Lord that you
will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay
the penalty, whoever he may be.
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Decree
Lord,
bring forth a wisdom that confounds the enemies of your Gospel, upholds in
righteousness the true fellowship of the Saints in Jesus Christ, and destroys
through the Blood of Christ all python spirits and each supporting lessor
demons.
We
cling to your words of life and recognize you have opened a door that no man
can shut.
We
welcome your presence and proclaim against weariness, frustration, “I love you
Lord, my strength”. Ps 18:1.
We
speak through the open door you have created with your word to the dry and dead
bones that are not drawing life from your open doors and throne room vision,
come to life in the word of the Lord.
We
welcome your presence in water and fire.
We
welcome your presence in manifest freedom and grace.
We
ask for wisdom to align our lives to the prophetic words spoken over us and in
which we participate as family in Jesus.
We
will settle for nothing less than the fulfillment of your word and the victory
of your proclamation.
Be
high and lifted up Lord Jesus. Let your
glory fill Central Oregon. Bring springs
and rivers and lakes and ponds.
We
welcome the fire of holiness and cleansed lives in the Spirit.
Speak
through the OPEN DOOR no one
can shut! Revelation 3:8
Father, we speak your words to the
dry bones. ….
Yea. I cried. I was saying goodbye to a life style, friends, home church, family. Bye to everything. Yet deep inside I felt something profoundly different emerging. I was saying yes to Jesus and it filled me up. On the inside I felt something expanding. I knew the life he proposed was the real life for me. Probably because I had chosen life for myself before.
To enter into this life we have to become like a child. 
