Confrontation with the demon

“It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave woman who had a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing great profit to her masters by fortune-telling” (1) This likely occurred the week after the Sabbath when Lydia was converted. The group was once again heading to the riverside place of prayer. (2) They encountered “a slave woman who had a spirit of divination.” The term for slave woman here is “paidiske.” In Acts 12:13, “the servant woman named Rhoda” is also described as a paidiske. (3) She was possessed by an evil spirit (her inner being was controlled by a demon). This was no ordinary evil spirit. The “spirit of divination” is translated from the Greek “pneuma puthona,” referring to the evil spirit behind the “Oracle of Delphi.” The Temple of Apollo at Delphi was famous for its oracles. People sought prophecies regarding war, health issues, investments, and more. The priestess at Apollo’s temple would enter a trance-like state and listen to the oracle from “Puthon.” This “Puthon” was thought to be a mystical serpent. (4) “Who was bringing great profit to her masters by fortune-telling.” The power of the evil spirit was real. Evil spirits can bring profit to idol worshipers. Her owners jointly owned and exploited this slave woman for their financial gain. “She followed Paul and us and cried out repeatedly, saying, ‘These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation.’” (1) Her purpose in following the group was to disrupt their ministry. (2) Notably, what she was shouting was not incorrect: (a) These men are servants of the Most High God (they indeed are). (b) They are proclaiming the way of salvation. How did she obtain this information? Evil spirits possess supernatural knowledge and have a network of the spiritual realm. (3) Why was the presence of this slave woman a hindrance to their ministry? (a) People might misunderstand and associate Paul’s message with the spirit of divination. (b) As a result, the purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ could be tainted by association with an evil spirit. When the gospel enters new territories, interference from evil spirits often occurs. We need not be surprised by this; rather, we should be grateful that the ministry is advancing to the point the demons are afraid, and we should continue to trust in God.