Get rid of it
And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. ~ Acts 16:18
We all have “voices” we hear in our thoughts each day. Not is an unstable kind of way, but voices of doubt, fear, hurt or unbelieve. If we listen carefully, we can also hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking wisdom and truth within our hearts. Beyond that, there are the external voices of media, friends, and the people closest to us. The way we hear these “voices” is filtered by our past experiences. Some people listen through a filter of hurt or offense. Others filter everything through shutdown and numbness, refusing to let anything reach the heart. Ideally, though, every voice we hear, internal or external, should pass through the filter of God’s Word. Scripture is to be the standard that we make decisions with, not the ever-changing words of this world around us.
In today’s passage, Paul and his companions encountered a young girl possessed by an evil spirit. She followed them for many days, loudly proclaiming the truth about who they were and their mission. Though her words were not wrong, Paul knew the source was not from God. He grew weary of the constant noise and finally commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus. Instantly, the voice was silenced. Paul showed great wisdom in this moment, but why did he let this go on for so long before finally confronting it.
How often do we let voices linger in our minds or around us, assuming we have no control over them? Whether it is the replay of a past mistake, a negative comment, or the influence of media, we do not have to live under the torture of those past “voices”. The power of Jesus’ name gives us authority to silence them. When doubt, fear, or lies speak loudly, we can command them to leave and replace them with God’s promises. Every time the thought tries to return, we can lift up praise and thanksgiving, knowing that those words no longer has power over us.
Here are some ways you can apply this truth to your life:
• Identify the voices in your life that cause fear, doubt, or discouragement. Write them down so they no longer stay hidden.
• Speak God’s Word over those lies by finding a scripture promise that counters what you are hearing. Say it out loud with authority in the name of Jesus.
• Remove yourself from situations, media, or conversations that continually stir up those undesired and haunting voices.
• When old thoughts try to return, immediately replace them with praise and thanksgiving to God for the freedom you have in your salvation in the Lord Jesus.
• Make it a daily practice to let the voice of the Holy Spirit be the loudest voice in your life by spending time in prayer and scripture reading.
Today I want to encourage you to take authority over the voices that have been plaguing you, whether internal or external. Just as Paul silenced the spirit that followed him, you too can command every lie, doubt, or fear to leave in the name of Jesus. When you do, you will discover peace, strength, freedom and the power of God at work in your life. God’s Word will rise above every voice of this world, and His truth will steady your heart. Get rid of it, and step into the victory Christ has already given you.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:16-24
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
18 And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Journal:
- What negative voices or thoughts have been the loudest in my life recently?
- What scripture promise can I speak over them in the name of Jesus?
- What steps can I take to stop reopening the doors to old voices and instead choose God’s truth daily?
The Daily Dose 