Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She 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 annoyed 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)
After reading this Scripture, we might ask, “Why was Paul annoyed at this female slave who was telling the truth?” She was advertising Paul and his message that Jesus is the way to be saved. Because of her more people would attend the prayer meetings.
The enemy knows that salvation is through Jesus and wants to lead us into a future without Jesus. Cult leaders who proclaim to be Christian begin with the truth about Jesus and when they get a following, they mix false teachings with the truth. Eventually their congregations worship them and not God. As we get closer to the second coming of Jesus, an anti-Christ will become popular by telling half-truths. We should be wary of those who obtain power and wealth by telling the Good News of Jesus.
This Scripture confirms that the enemy has planned a future without God for each of us. The enemy will lead us into a future of depression, guilt, and anger when we don’t pray and stay on God’s path and don’t have faith that Jesus will save us. Isn’t it wonderful that the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world? God will defeat our enemies if we let him.
Father God, I praise You because You have plans for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. The enemy also has plans for me. Keep the enemy out of my life and guide me down the path of the blessed and peaceful life you have planned for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.