English Service by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

OVERCOMING THE SPIRIT OF PYTHON

SERIES: WE SHALL OVERCOME.

TEXT: ACTS 16:16-18

 

The enemy of our souls would have nothing more than to squeeze the spiritual life out of the church, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God to give us victory over the spirit of python.

In the books of Acts we see a record of the early ministers of the apostles and the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the then known world. From the day of Pentecost when the church was born, the Holy Spirit came and ignited a holy spiritual fire in the hearts of every born again believer.

The goodness of the kingdom of God spread like a wildfire. Signs, wonders and miracles began to spread everywhere.

Even though the religious authorities and the governments of the day opposed, nothing could stop the acts of the Holy Spirit.

The Pharisees, the Sadducees and the scribes hated to hear the name of Jesus, but the gospel spread far and wide.

What man could not do, satan thought he could do, so he devised his own plan to stop the gospel from spreading.

The method of attack employed by satan against the church can be seen in Acts 16:16. The spirit of divination and soothsaying was what satan started to use. In the original Greek the “spirit of divination” is “the spirit of python.” In Hebrew “the spirit of python” is “Peytavnun” or (peten) which is “a deadly serpent.”

The city of Delphi in Greece was the location of “the oracle of Apollos.” Apollos was given the name “pythus” or “python.” 

Python was a demigod born out of the mud left over after the waters of the great flood recorded. Python was the protector of Delphi, so when Apollos wanted to establish his oracle there, he had first to kill the serpent.

An oracle is usually a priest or priestess empowered by the gods or mediums or channel through whom advice or prophecy is sought.

The oracle of Apollos was therefore a place where the ancient Greeks went to try and get advice from their gods or to seek a word of prophecy. God had given to Israel some laws concerning consulting with an Ob (familiar spirit, or wizards)-Leviticus 19:31; 20:27. We read that King Saul consulted with the “witch of Endor.” This witch woman was possessed by the spirit of python.

The salve girl in Acts 16:16 was possessed by the spirit of python. Let us learn:-

HOW DO PEOPLE INVITE THE SPIRIT OF PYTHON?

  • As it was in the case of the slave girl of Acts 16:16, the spirit was following Paul.
  • This girl could give wealth and fame through the power of the demon that was being displayed.
  • The “love of money” is the root of all evil-1st Tim. 6:9-10.
  • Those who love money will do anything to get it, become easy hosts to be used by the spirit of python.
  • Always remember, this world is satan’s domain for now and satan has power over his kingdom.
  • Satan’s kingdom is only limited by the power of God.
  • Satan will open the coffers of his kingdom containing ungodly wealth and pour out the prosperity of this world upon those who will agree to be used to destroy the church and kill the very souls of God’s people and slow the spread of the gospel-Matt. 4:8-10.
  • God makes rich, but not all riches is given by God-Mark 4:19.

HOW WAS THE SPIRIT OF PYTHON MANIFESTING IN THIS YOUNG SLAVE GIRL?-Acts 16:17-18.

  • The slave girl followed Paul on the way to his prayer meeting.
  • She followed Paul for many days saying the same thing, but Paul did not engage with her.
  • She followed Paul many times announcing to all people the purpose of Paul.
  • This slave girl was motivated by satan to do what she was doing. Satan’s work is to steal, kill and destroy.
  • The python spirit is there to steal, kill and destroy.
  • The python was trying to stop the work of spreading the gospel and to steal the power of the church to preach the word.
  • It is the spirit of the python that tries to hinder, destroy and defeat everything that we do for God.
  • The python spirit puts the squeeze on us through fear, doubt, frustration, he squeezes more when we become lukewarm in God.
  • When we let the cares of life to take our time away to pray and seek the face of God.
  • The python spirit works like a giant snake to wrap himself around you and begin to squeeze the life out of you until there is no room in your life for God to move.
  • The python spirit is always around when we gather to worship, trying to hinder the worship in any way he can.
  • The python spirit will bring interruptions; babies crying, people walking around, broken speaker systems, black outs, strange fires, wandering minds, contrary spirits etc.
  • The python spirit will interrupt through phone calls, lustful spirits and confusions.
  • The python spirit works through church governments as well as national government.
  • Like physical python works through continually tightening his grip on the hearts and minds of the victim, the spiritual python will squeeze the hope, the breath and the life out of them.
  • Like the slave girl was doing to Paul, the python spirit continues to broadcast information that will ultimately bring trouble to his victim.
  • A true prophet does not seek the accolades of man.
  • A python spirit works in the worldly crown through fortune telling, psychic medium, sorcerer, a contact with the spirit world.
  • A python spirit operates through horoscopes, ouija boards, tarot cards, witchcraft control, occultism and many forms of idol worship.
  • Python spirit works through prophetic people who refuse to submit to authority and is responsible for so much of the rebellion in the church.
  • Python spirit brings lethargy causing people to not want to serve God.
  • Python spirit brings greed for recognition, manipulation, control.
  • Python spirit is responsible for family breakdown, disunity, killing faith.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE PYTHON SPIRIT IN CHURCH, FAMILY AND AT WORK.

  • Jesus Christ has already overcome the python spirit and has given us power and weapon to defeat python every time he tries.
  • We have been given the Holy Spirit, the word, the sword of the spirit to slay him.
  • We have the power to defeat the spirit of python through true heartfelt worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Where the spirit of God is, there is liberty.
  • The python has no power over us at the feet of Jesus Christ.
  • The python spirit does not fear religion, but he fears the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
  • When we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith. Like Paul and the slave girl, you and I have the power to rebuke “In the name of Jesus, come out of her.”

CONCLUSION

  • If you have felt the spirit of python coming against you, Rise in faith and cast him out in the name of Jesus.
  • If you have felt him destroy your peace and weaken your faith cast him off.
  • If you have felt him causing you to wonder about your salvation and lose your resolve to be faithful and to serve God with all your heart-cast him off.
  • Call upon the name of the Lord now in the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of the lamb.
  • Declare by the word of God that victory is yours.
  • For whom the Lord has set free is free indeed and the spirit of python is defeated by the power of God!!
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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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