“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (Greek: puthon – soothsaying, witchcraft, divination, occult) met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying (Greek: manteuomai – to divine or utter spells, to tell fortunes, to foretell or prophesy, a diviner): The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation’. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that their hope for gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, ‘These men being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans’. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.” (Acts 16:16-19, taken from the website The Lord is my Banner)
The verses above are not the first mention of the Spirit of Python in the Bible, although, it may be the best example because the spirit is defeated by the power of the Lord working through His disciples. As I was writing part 1 of this series, the Holy Spirit led me down a trail of information, which truly opened my eyes to the full picture of it’s effect, not solely in my life but also that of my immediate (maternal) family, for decades. I was familiar with this spirit beforehand; however, this research helped me immensely in regard to recognizing and defeating it, in Jesus’ name.
One way in which the Spirit of Python enters into a person’s life is by being in relationship with someone participating in a lifestyle conducive to allowing it not only access but control. What I’ve come to understand is how far back in my family’s history this demonic spirit has been present, as well as recognizing the issues that stemmed from it – then and now. I am grateful to personally have no history with drugs, and drinking alcohol was occasional – and mostly in my early twenties – for which I’ve repented my participation. (It has been many years since I’ve indulged in anything more than a glass of wine or a liquor drink, and usually only in celebration).
After discovering the addictions and subsequent issues of my first boyfriend, and before marrying a covert addict, I refused to even date a person who (to my knowledge) participated in taking drugs or alcohol abuse. I rarely ever had personal financial difficulties in adulthood prior to my marriage. The Spirit of Python upon my former spouse interjected itself into my life through that already existing door-point from my past. Despite a door-point being sealed, if we are caught off guard and intimate with someone the spirit has a grip on, or fall back into old patterns (which the python loves and encourages), that seal can be broken, making re-entry possible.
Drugs and alcohol are one of the largest portals of entry – either abuse of, or any intimate relationship with a person selling or using. My family and personal history has several instances of such participation. Due to this, there was (and is) always struggle in our atmosphere: between family members, as well as financial and emotional issues.
“Python usually operates off of acquaintances and contacts. There is always a benefit or a gain for the person under its influence; position, promotion, money or a connection to one of these.” (The Lord my Banner | Spirit of Python) This helps explain why the spirit hanging out with my last employer was able to get a hold on me: I needed the job and she in turn was yielding control and power over me. (Plus, there was apparent substance use in the household.) If you read part 1, you may recall how I mentioned the word “slave” being mentioned in an audio program triggered discernment from my spirit man. From that point on, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I was under demonic pressure and had to get out of the situation.
“Just like the snake, the spirit of Python gets around its victim, which can be a person, family, church or area, and he slowly squeezes the life out of them. This spirit works today just as it did against Paul in Acts 16:16 in Macedonia…When you pray to possess the land for God, the spirit of divination (python) begins to fight against you.” (from, Phyllis Ford Ministries | Spirit of Python) Doesn’t this sound like what was happening to me? The more I prayed the Holy Spirit into my work situation, the harder the opposition came! This happened in my marriage as well; the prayers over my marriage and my spouse were virtually ineffective, because he was allowing the demonic to stay put.
Thank the Lord, it is possible to disengage and be delivered of this demonic presence if one is serious about it! In part 3 of this series I’ll discuss discerning and seeking freedom the Spirit of Python.
Read Part 1
If you’d like another resource I recommend also, Spirit of Python – Exposing Satan’s Plan to Squeeze the Life Out of You