Beware of the Spirit Behind the Predictions
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 13 2025 | Acts 16:16-21
KEY VERSE: “Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. . . . She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Acts 16:16-17. (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Not every supernatural gift or prediction comes from God. In Philippi, a slave girl could foretell events, and though she spoke words that sounded true, the spirit behind her was demonic. This passage warns us that discernment is crucial in a world where truth and deception can be mingled and offers three important lessons for us.
The passage teaches that not every prediction is of God. The slave girl’s ability to predict was real, but it did not come from the Holy Spirit - it came from a demonic spirit. This reminds us that we must test every spirit (1 John 4:1) and not be amazed by displays of power. Secondly, we learn that truth can be corrupted by a wrong source. What the girl shouted was factually correct: Paul and his team were servants of God, proclaiming salvation. Yet the source was evil, and the intention was to confuse and undermine the gospel. The enemy often mixes truth with lies to deceive.
Finally, it teaches us that discernment is key to spiritual safety. Paul and his companions could not accept affirmation from a demonic spirit, no matter how accurate it sounded. God’s work must be done by God’s Spirit. Christians are called to discern the source of every word, act, or manifestation before accepting it as from God.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
We live in a world filled with many voices, and therefore, we need to test the spiritual source of predictions or supernatural claims before believing them. Not every voice that speaks truth is of God. We must beware of the spirit behind predictions and remain anchored in God’s Word and Spirit to discern the difference.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me the grace to discern the spirits and the wisdom to know when words, though sounding true, are not from You. Keep me anchored in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit, that I may walk in truth and not be deceived. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 256 Job 35–37 — Elihu’s Final Words
DAILY word study: SPIRIT The word spirit in Acts 16:16 is from the Greek pneuma, meaning “breath, wind, or unseen force.” In this passage, it refers to a spirit of divination, not the Spirit of God. The girl’s words were correct, but the source was corrupt. This shows that truth on the lips does not always mean truth in the heart.
Reflect on this:
Discernment is not just about hearing the words spoken, but about recognising the spirit behind them. Only the Holy Spirit helps us tell the difference.
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