Acts 16:16-25 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us… I. TRUE TESTIMONY FROM A QUESTIONABLE QUARTER. This testimony Was as true as if it had been spoken by an angel. But the testifier was under the influence of a devil, and God's servants need not his praise either in behalf of themselves or their work. But what could induce this woman to bear this true testimony? 1. Perhaps the hope of getting gain. She might think that Paul would reward her for her public proclamation. 2. A wish to conciliate. The evil spirit, fearing expulsion, might influence her to bear this testimony so as to gain favour. 3. A desire to heighten her authority and increase her success. She saw evident tokens of the Divinity of their cause; and by proclaiming this she may have hoped to acquire a higher reputation for being inspired. 4. The hope of bringing discredit on the cause of God. The stratagem might lead the people to conclude that Paul and Silas were in league with evil spirits. (1) That there is a way of salvation. Plain, safe, exclusive. (2) That there is need to show this way. (3) That the work of God's servants is to show it. II. EFFECTUAL EXORCISING BY AN INSPIRED APOSTLE. Paul was grieved — 1. To see a human being the victim of demoniacal power. Many similar saddening sights are still to be seen. The demons avarice, ambition, pride, envy, and sensuality possess men's souls and rule in their hearts. Who can see them and not be grieved? 2. To see the malignant design with which the testimony was borne. The girl was only the instrument of the devil, whose design might be to bring discredit on Christianity; and who might also aim at exciting the self-complacency of Paul. 3. To see the sordid motives of the masters of this girl. They cared not how her nature was degraded, or how the people were imposed on, if only their mercenary ends were answered. Many are still as unscrupulous. They will lie, and cheat, and sell both body and soul for gain. III. MALIGNANT PERSECUTION BY DISAPPOINTED MERCENARIES (ver. 20-22). If you would not enrage a selfish man, do not interfere with his gains, or he will persecute you. Your enterprise may be of God, and there may be evident tokens of this, yet it must not be allowed to live if it frustrates his selfish purposes. IV. ILLEGAL MEASURES BY CIVIL AUTHORITIES. V. MIDNIGHT MELODY BY INCARCERATED SUFFERERS (ver. 25). 1. "They prayed" — (1) for themselves, that they might be supported and delivered; (2) for their persecutors, that they might be forgiven and saved; and (3) for their new converts, that they might be strengthened and established. 2. "And sang praises unto God." A consciousness of having done right makes a man undaunted in danger, unswerving in suffering, and triumphant in tribulation. (John Elstob.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: |
    |