Liberation of the slave woman

“Now she continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and he turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!’ And it came out at that very moment.” (1) “Now she continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed…” The slave woman possessed by the spirit of divination was disrupting Paul’s ministry. This raises the question of why Paul did not act sooner. While it is God’s work to open hearts, it is also His work to cast out evil spirits. From Paul’s perspective, the right time for casting out the spirit had not yet come. God was granting Paul an opportunity to continue ministry in Philippi. However, once the spirit was cast out, Paul would ultimately have to leave the town as a result. (2) Paul, greatly troubled, finally performed the exorcism. (a) Paul spoke directly to the evil spirit. (b) He commanded the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ, meaning that Jesus Christ was casting out the spirit through Paul. (c) The command was, “Come out of her.” (d) The spirit immediately obeyed and left the slave woman. No evil spirit can defy the authority of Jesus Christ. (3) It is not recorded whether this woman became a believer. Luke’s focus is not on whether she believed but on the outcome of this event.

The battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness

Those who spread the gospel are drawn into the battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. We must remember that evangelism is not a pastime, but is a spiritual warfare. God is actively working to fulfill His kingdom, and the citizens of His kingdom include holy angels and those who are saved. God uses His people to expand His kingdom. The ways in which God’s work progresses remain unchanged: (a) direct intervention by God, (b) the work of angels, (c) the work of human beings. God intends to use us to bring salvation to sinners. Let’s declare our commitment by confessing our willingness to be used.