Reading this story in today’s opening text, you might wonder, “Why was Paul annoyed? Wasn’t the girl telling the truth?” She was eulogzing Paul and his crew as servants of the Most High God, and that was true. But Paul could perceive something was off. He realized that she wasn’t speaking by the Spirit of God but by an evil spirit. That’s why he commanded the spirit to leave her in the Name of Jesus. And just like that, she was set free.
Even if what the girl said was factual, we don’t need the testimony from demons to tell us who we are. Jesus said in John 5:34, “Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.” In other words, He didn’t need validation from men and definitely not from demons!
There’s a moment in Mark 1:24 where a demon inside a man tried to reveal Jesus, shouting, “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus wasn’t flattered. He shut him up and told him to be quiet and leave. Why? Because The Father had already testified of Him, and His works also bore witness to His divine mission (John 5:36-37).
Likewise, Paul didn’t need some demon-possessed girl to bear witness of his mission. Even though what she said sounded right, it was a sneaky tactic from the enemy to confuse people or gain some influence. Paul’s anger wasn’t from a human point of view; rather, he was spiritually grieved. This is why he commanded the spirit to come out of her. You must also reject any voices of the devil that pretend to speak for God and cast them out when they manifest themselves.
Speak
Blessed Father, thank you for the authority we have in Christ Jesus. I stand firm in the truth of your Word, led by your Spirit always to discern every deceptive voice and reject anything that is not from you. My validation is from Christ alone, and I exercise His authority with boldness and wisdom.
