ESPAÑOL: ¿Qué es el Espíritu de Pitón? Desenmascarando una Voz Profética Engañosa

There are several references to evil spirits throughout the Bible. Some are even named. We have Beelzebul mentioned in Matthew 12:24 and Abaddon in Revelation 9:11.

But another that makes an appearance is referred to as the spirit of Python and from the passage, we even know what the purpose is of this evil spirit.

It is mentioned in Acts 16, during the Apostle Paul’s visit to Philippi. Unfortunately, it is hidden in the way some versions translate the verse.

During the visit, Paul and Silas encountered a slave woman who the NASV describes as having the “spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16).

Luke adds that the people who owned the woman made a great profit through her fortune telling ability. It seems she was a cut above the charlatans that typically plied the trade and read the person rather than their future.

But the woman started to annoy Paul and Silas. Over the next few days she followed them, repeatedly shouting out, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation.” 

This constant harassment became so annoying, that in a moment of exasperation, the Apostle Paul spoke directly to the spirit of divination inside this woman, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”

Luke adds, “And it came out at that very moment.”

But in the original Greek, Luke actually wrote in verse 16, that the woman was possessed by a ‘spirit of python’, not divination.

This was directly connected to the oracle of Delphi, a cave temple located in Greece near Philippi where women would give out prophetic utterances.

According to legend, an ancient Greek god called Apollo had slain a giant female python at this location. However, its spirit remained at the site.

People would visit these women for guidance and the python spirit would utter the answers in the ears of the women who were often described as speaking with other worldly voices.

The temple had fallen out of use by Paul’s day, but obviously the evil spirits associated with it were still in operation.

This spirit was connected to pagan prophecy in ancient times. Today, it tries to contaminate the true gift of prophecy released by the Holy Spirit.

In a recent podcast, evangelist Daniel Adams spoke about the subtle spiritual attacks associated with the spirit of Leviathan and the spirit of Python.

Concerning Python, Adams said “this spirit will make you think that it is the voice of the Holy Spirit. But when you listen to it, it doesn’t lead you into a fruitful place.”

This is exactly what happened at Philippi. The woman started off stating truthfully that Paul and Silas were “proclaiming” the way of salvation.

Anyone hearing this, would consider it an amazing revelation. But if they continued to listen and follow this voice, a twist was coming.

Adams added that a python spirit comes with a “seductive ability.” It tries to softly seduce us away from God and the truth.

We may even have the first recorded instance of this seductive voice at work, when a serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden with beguiling words, combining truth with a lie.

Adams says that we need to be more discerning when it comes to spiritual gifts such as prophecy and words of knowledge.

Instead of being caught up with the gifting, we need to focus on the individual’s lifestyle.

“They see a gift. They’re not looking for the fruit,” Adams warns. “So, it’s the fruit that you want to look for when you’re dealing with somebody that is really working with the Holy Spirit.”