The possessed slave girl

Witches and warlocks both can be redeemed. But it all depends on how leadership, especially the congregation of GOD decides to handle such sensitive matters after a witch or warlock has been discovered among the flock. We have to be mindful when we encounter such ones, many of them are possessed – being controlled not BY CHOICE.
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Do we not recall the plight of a certain slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination by her master (Acts 16:16). We see this account in the Book of Acts. Let’s revisit this account to see what beneficial information we can gain from this account. 
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PR Service Rendered by a possessed girl

As I mentioned earlier, while Paul and Silas were on their missionary tour, they encountered a young possessed girl who was being controlled by her masters. These men or warlocks had trained this possessed girl in the arts of fortune-telling. As a result, these men had made a great deal of profit off of this young girl’s ability to tell people fortune.

So, we see at Acts chapter 16, verse 17, this young slave girl encounter Paul and Silas who are visiting her city to preach and teach the gospel among the people. This young girl starts to follow these two men around declaring truth about their presence and their capabilities . Now, the truth in which she spoke concerning Paul and Silas was not based on what she was told about them. Or what she observed concerning them. She gained the knowledge she knew about Paul and Silas through her art of divination aka witchcraft or fortune-telling. (Today, we call such practice psychic reading).

As I was saying. This possessed girl followed Paul and Silas around declaring, “these men are the servants of the Most High GOD, who proclaim to us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17).
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Now, before we continue with this account, I want to ask a rhetorical question to get you all thinking, especially for those ministries who may be having a similar situation currently occurring in your congregation.

The first thing we must ask ourselves is, how this possessed girl became aware of Paul and Silas' presence in town. Paul and Silas did not pre-publicize their arrival nor their plans prior to arriving in town. So, who informed her of Paul and Silas' presence and what their plans were in order for this possessed girl to show up to try to disrupt Paul and Silas’ forward progress to minister to the people in the city? This is an important question that needs to be answered by every congregation leader in GOD’s house when they notice or are informed by prophetic people in their ministry that a witch or warlock is operating in their church.

As I was saying, once they arrived, Paul and Silas did not put up a huge advertisement campaign declaring that they were there or what they are going to do or offer to the people while they were in town. But somehow, this young slave girl became aware of these two men’s presence and their activity. Shortly after becoming aware, this slave girl shows up during Paul and Silas’s missionary tour to disrupt GOD’s plan for the people in the city through Paul and Silas.
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So, as Paul and Silas went about preaching and teaching to the people in the city. This possessed girl followed them everywhere they went, declaring that (1) Paul and Silas were true servants of GOD, (2) and through them, people can gain salvation. She did this for many days without Paul and Silas saying a single thing to the girl. 
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​SIDEBAR: Now, we want to take note of one error both Paul and Silas made in their dealings, or lack thereof with this slave girl. When this young girl was following them and declaring the thing she was declaring, neither Paul nor Silas took a personal interest in the welfare or condition of this young girl who was being controlled by her masters. In fact, for days the Scripture says that Paul and Silas ignored the condition and plight of this young girl. (You guys, my brothers, and sisters, this is not a good look for both Paul and Silas, but I digress). Keep this point in mind as we continue this discussion concerning the possessed girl. 
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It wasn’t until after some time has passed and Paul became annoyed by this girl’s constant promoting them through her declaration that Paul finally turns his attention to the problem this young girl created, to do something about it.

We must ask ourselves this important question. If Paul had not become agitated by this girl’s PR campaign, would he and Silas left this girl in her state? Would he not address her issue? Would he not approach her to address the problem with the young girl?

Either way, the Scriptures made it clear that Paul did not address her issue UNTIL he became annoyed by her constant actions.
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Now, I will suggest that you read the remaining account Paul and Silas had with the possessed girl at Acts 16:16-24. But let’s end this point with the following. 
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The ministry of reconciliation

We all have to be mindful that we all are called to a ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 says, 
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​All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

​As ambassadors of Christ, GOD is making HIS appeal through us to ALL of mankind. THIS INCLUDES and NOT EXCLUDES WITCHES AND WARLOCKS. When dealing or confronted with such individuals IN OUR CONGREGATION, we must take the same actions as commanded of us as disciples of Christ, at Matthew chapter 18, verses 15 through 17. It is a failure and a sin on our part if we do not take these steps.
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But we must keep this one critical point in mind as we applied such steps concerning witches and warlocks we encounter in our ministry or in our local churches. 

1. We cannot be afraid of them – witches and warlocks. For GOD gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). He has given us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy AND nothing will harm US.  (Luke 10:19). 

2. Our goal is to ALWAYS is to set individuals FREE. (Compare to Isaiah 61:1). If they want it. Some may choose or prefer to stay in that state of mind they are in. And that’s okay if that is what they choose for themselves. 

3. It is extremely important when we are applying the steps stated at Matthew 18:16, that we be very careful in our selection process concerning those who will help us in such matters. (1) Not everyone is mature enough or spiritually equipped to handle sensitive situations or information. (2) Nor is everyone trustworthy enough to keep what needs to be kept confidentially sealed. (3) Not all persons, and this includes leaders, are a reliable resource. We really have to know the heart, motive, especially the true spirit of people. Let me explain through a few examples provided in the Scriptures. 
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At Exodus chapter 18, Jethro, a priest and the father-in-law of Moses observed Moses counseling and judging the acts of God’s people that was in the camp in the wilderness (Exodus 18:13-14). Jethro observed the way Moses was doing it was taking too long and was the less effective method to conduct such matters. Therefore, Jethro suggested a better way to manage such matters in verses 17 through 23. The Scripture says that Moses heeded the counsel, the direction of Jethro. And Moses followed Jethro’s instructions explicitly. 
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​SIDEBAR: It is extremely important when someone GOD has appointed in your ministry to assist you in your affairs, whether it's dealing with administrative work, healing/deliverance, or the prophetic side of your ministry. YOU MUST FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS EXPLICITLY WHEN GIVEN. I cannot express how critical this is. If you take actions outside of the instructions given to you by these anointed vessels, you could be sinning in the eyes of GOD. Therefore, be wise to follow the direction that is given to you by your apostle, prophet, or pastor – especially when instructions are given through them by GOD for you to follow. In most cases, their instructions are given to protect you as well as congregation members from falling into the traps and snares of the evil one and his minions in the congregation. 

​​Okay, one more example. Go to Acts chapter 6, and look at verses 1 through 15. In these few verses, we see the dispution that arises between the Greek and Hebrew servants of GOD concerning how the Hebrew widows were being given preferential treatment over the Greek widows when it came to food distribution. You can read about what took place on your own.
 
What we want to look at together is the solution the brothers (the leaders of GOD’s congregation) put in place to resolve the problem. In verse 3, 7 men were selected who were (1) well respected by all men and women. (2) Men who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. For it to be decided that these men were qualified, all 7 men had to be fully vetted and observed by leaders as well as individual congregational members in the Body. These 7 men had to be known for not showing favor, biases, or prejudices towards any members in the Body of Christ. They had to be known by both the Greeks and Hebrews for not showing any biases of any kind, being fair in their judgment, and being pure in their motives.
 
Now, I want to bring out one more point. When I say they were pure in their motive. I am saying that these men WERE NOT competitive nor jealous, or envious toward another member of the Body of Christ – their fellow brothers or sisters. (That competitive, jealous, and envious spirit is poison, a dangerous spirit to have to deal with in the Body of Christ). Far too often, in the local congregation of GOD, I have seen men become envious of how GOD is moving in and through certain men and women of GOD. Resulting in some men (leaders) acting out rebelliously toward these GODLY men and women by bulking the system that GOD has put in place. In the beginning, often time, these ones display this rebellious spirit under the radar in a quiet and secretive manner by challenging divine authority that has been put in place by GOD. And yet, their actions ARE VERY NOTICABLE to those who have spiritual eyes to see. Because these individuals who are secretly bulking the system are very territory driven. They are wild dogs who feel the need to mark their turf. (Even when that turf actually belongs to GOD).
 
So, whenever a servant of the true GOD brings certain issues to the attention of an appoint authorized leader concerning issues that need to be addressed in the congregation. These magnate individuals in GOD’s house immediately leap into action and begin to bark, howl, and growl in a passive way concerning such issues. Not because they really have a spiritual concern for the people and want to really see real solutions be applied to the problem. But because someone has stepped into their territory to suggest or implement real solutions – Kingdom solutions. This is very dangerous because when such actions are allowed to continue in the House of GOD, it allows for evil altars to be established or rebuilt in GOD’s house. This is why it is so important that Pastors, who are called to be shepherds over GOD’s house really know FROM GOD’S DISPOSITION the hearts, motives, and true spirits of every man and woman in his house. Otherwise, pastors are setting up his house to become a house of cards. 
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Whose operating under your leadersHip

​What’s the point? We have to really know the hearts of all men and women that are supporting our mission. We have to give it to GOD to reveal to us the true condition of man’s heart. So that, when we encounter a witch or warlock in our ministry or among our church members. We handle ALL MATTERS in a just way because we need to see as GOD sees. We need to do as GOD will do. We need to respond in the same manner as GOD would have. Therefore, it is important to appoint men or women over certain matters according to the will of GOD and not according to who we think we can trust in our ministry.