Message Preached on September 4, 2022 by Pastor Cynthia D. Bellamy
We hear this often but it’s true of its saying, whenever you have an encounter with God, it brings about a change. You cannot have an encounter and go back out the same way, it just cannot happen. His encounter heals, it restores, brings deliverance, completion, wholeness; that’s what the experience brings. When God operates and you begin to move by the power of God, know that the devil is going to show up. Therefore, be-careful who you associate yourself with. Be-careful of the prophets you associate with, the apostles, the dancers [praisers] you associate yourself with, be-careful of the worship leaders; YOU HAVE TO BE-CAREFUL!
This particular scripture in Acts, as they [Paul & Silas] were on their way to a place of prayer, a distraction came on their way to prayer. Why would this distraction come while on the way to prayer? A place and time set aside to give unto God in prayer, is when the demon comes to “associate themselves”. The scripture tells us they [Paul & Silas] were met by a slave girl, who had a spirit/possessed with demons. She made her masters a lot of money because of this gift. On the way to prayer, Paul and Silas are met by her crying out” These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.”
She was right, they were the servants of God. The girl, by the power of a demon was able to tell the future; a slave to this demon. Now, here she comes while they are going to prayer with distractions by her foretelling. She comes being “loud” in her demonic power about these men. Sometimes, we ourselves have to watchful of the “loud ones” around us. Those pushing and encouraging; check their spirit of intentions.
This testimony was coming from a demon possessed girl, and it did not help Paul and Silas’ cause. This may have seemed as a great opportunity to be able to tell the future for their ministry. Though, we see a demon possessed is trying to connect with men of God. What she was saying was truthful but she was operating under the power of a demon. She continued to do this foretelling of them for many days. Paul, grieved of her actions, knew the people of Philippia would come to associate the ministry through the operating of this girl. Do you remember when Jesus rebuked the demons that confessed him to be the Son of God (ref. Luke 4: 40-42)? Why would Jesus do this? Didn’t it seemed right for them to tell of who He was? Jesus did not want demons associated to his ministry.
Therefore, if Paul did not rebuke this demon out of the girl, she would’ve been associated with their ministry. From the eyes of the people, it looked like they were in it together. It seemed like they were believing the same thing, walking the same walk, and talking the same talk. Be careful who you associate with when in ministry! Be careful of those who can prophesy, of the singers, the musicians; you do not know what they are doing. They can be doing a whole lot of ungodly behaviors unbeknownst to anyone.
Not just in ministry but check those you are hanging out with. What are they seeing around you? Are they seeing you hanging out with a liar? A drunkard? Someone who’s a homewrecker? Someone who’s promiscuous? Or are they seeing you with people who are genuinely living Holy in the sight of God?Check your associations in ministry and in your personal walk with Christ. Not everyone has good intentions in their encouragement for you. However, as long as you have a witness in Heaven, Jesus is more than enough.
Your enemies cannot harm you but keep a close eye on your associations.
