Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune telling. This girl followed paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "in the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her Acts 16:16-18 NIV.
We cannot tolerate an evil spirit to remain in our midst operating in a person. Paul had to rebuke the evil spirit speaking through this slave girl. The spirit knew who Paul was and what his mission was, we don't allow an evil spirit to speak, even if they are telling the truth to deceive later. This evil spirit caused the slave girl to make much money for her master. When one works for Satan, they are a slave to him, and whatever false wealth you think you have, it is not really yours but your master, Satan. We have to say what Paul said, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her." Even Paul tolerated this spirit longer than he should have done. It will cause vexation to us if we prolong to cast the evil spirit out!
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The people did not know who Paul and Silas really was, but the devil knew them. Do not think it strange when enemies become friends to fight against you. The fight is a fixed fight, the righteous will win ever time. The devil is stripped and defeated by our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ. Walk in the authority and power that has been purchased by the blood of Jesus and is freely given to us. YOUR GREATEST TITLE YOU CAN OBTAIN IS I AM A CHRISTIAN! Just know and ponder that.
When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the markedplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks Acts 16:19-24 NIV.