The Spirit Of Python, Don't Be Fooled

2. It demands attention. This is indicated by the fact that she followed Paul and the others for “many days” continually giving forth her prophecy. Beware of those who use prophecy: the supernatural to thrust themselves into the limelight.

3. It loves to be seen and heard. This is indicated by the fact that she kept putting herself at the center of attention. Make note of those who use prophecy to make themselves the center of attention.

4. It wants to be important and in control. This is indicated by the fact that she directed her prophesying to the leaders of this new movement. Beware of those who use prophecy: supernatural to gain status with pastors and leaders.

5. There is often a monetary motive involved. This young slave girl was raking in a lot of money for her masters. I am afraid this same motive is at work in the charismatic/prophetic movement today, usually in very subtle ways. I once saw a man, who probably had a genuine gift of prophecy; express his desire to pray for everyone who would bring a $20.00 offering for his ministry to the front. As he prayed and then prophesied over each one, I saw women looking in their purses for money so they could go forward and get a “word.” I believe this man was opening himself to a false spirit—a spirit of python—by his devious actions.

Method of Attacks of Python

In Acts 16:16 this girl stands in alignment with demons and speaks on behalf of the demonic. Paul said she had a spirit of divination--pneuma puthon which literally means pneuma puthon or spirit of python. This girl was possesses, indwelt or inhabited by a controlling spirit of a python. From this we can point out several things in noticing how a python attacks its victim and in this case a church.

Python kills by following closely – vs. 17

This girl followed Paul and Silas for many days. The word “follow” (katakoloutheo¯- Greek) is to accompany closely.

Python kills by constricting not crushing. A python wraps itself around its prey and every time the prey exhales it constricts so that the next breath cannot be taken and eventually the prey suffocates and is swallowed. The python spirit constricts your mind, speaking deceit, making light of what is exposed and announced by the servant of God, into your spirit to suffocate the word of God that is laid in your heart. One of the devils number one attacks is hopelessness, despair, discouragement and depression; it weighs you down and makes us tired. This spirit will whisper in your ear all kinds of lies, torments, accusations, condemnation, depression, and despair. It makes life heavy.

You often do not even know you are being attacked. Python attacks in this way, squeezing the life, breath and joy of the Lord from our lives. It is even difficult to feel the Lord’s presence and you have to continually challenge the people to be hungry for God and that God can use them regardless of what they have been through.

The python spirit bread the Cellophane ceiling. Heaviness that weighs you down until you cant breath. It is like a spiritual cap in the spirit realm so God's people can only climb so high in the spirit. It manifests with a sluggish weight during worship and weigh heavy on the countenance of the people in the meeting. Imagine in the natural carrying around a 200-pound snake on your shoulders and how that would weigh you down and make you sluggish.