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About ‘Fortune-Telling’ (English Standard Version of the Bible used here.)
— In this quiz, we’ll examine what happened to Apostle Paul when he ‘delivered’ a fortune-teller…
(Circle the correct answer.)

Historians believe that Luke was the author who recorded in Acts 16:16-19…  As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.  (17)  She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  (18)  And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.  (19)  But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

So here we get a glimpse into what commercial fortune-telling is about… Let’s dig in…

Acts 16:16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

— Q1. First, we need to ask, how the slave girl in this account could bring profit to her ‘owners’?

a/ by inventing stories.     b/ by telling people’s fortunes.     c/ by quoting scripture.

— Q2. As a money-making fortune-teller, her only draw for her customers would be if…

a/ her predictions came true.     b/ her predictions proved false.

— Q3. In Vs.16 Luke writes, “we were met by a slave girl who had a ________ of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.”

a/ gift     b/ job     c/ spirit

— Q4. The use of the uppercase or lowercase letter ‘S’ in the word ‘spirit’ in the Bible is important in that…

a/ lowercase indicates a mortal or ungodly spirit.     b/ uppercase indicates God’s Spirit.     c/ both a & b

(SEE… Vs.17-18)  She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  (18)  And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

— Q5. The fact that Paul cast out this spirit and the girl was delivered shows us that it…

a/ was her mortal spirit.     b/ was a demonic spirit.     c/ didn’t exist, as there are no demons.

— Q6. Why would a demonic spirit want to support the work of Paul and Silas?

a/ to deceive the public.     b/ to influence the fellowship of believers.     c/ both a &b.

(SEE… Vs.19)  But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

– We find here that the girl is alive and well and has been changed in that she no longer is controlled by a demonic spirit, and that this spirit had been bringing income to her ‘owners’.

– We must acknowledge that these predictions could not be profitable without some accuracy.

Does Satan know the future, or does he just try to manipulate it?

(Quiz continues on Pg.#2)

About ‘Fortune-Telling’  (Pg.#2)

…See Isaiah 46:8-10… “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,  (9)  remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose…”

We read here that God says, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done”…
— Q7. God is telling us that no one else can…

a/ see the future.     b/ write about history.     c/ remember ancient times.

— Q8. How could a demonic spirit accurately predict future events and so bring people profits?

a/ By telling exciting stories.     b/ By influencing those future events.     c/ By quoting scripture.

— Q9. So how can demons influence future events?

a/ By directly controlling people.     b/ By influencing people’s thinking.     c/ By both a & b.

The Apostle Paul gives us a clear indication of how demons work in Ephesians 6:10-12…

Ephesians 6:10-12  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  (12)  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

— Q10. Here in Vs.10-11, what are we cautioned to stand against?

a/ the religious     b/ the government     c/ the devil’s schemes

— Q10. A scheme is…

a/ a plan to manipulate.     b/ the backdrop of a play.     c/ an open honest discussion.

— Q11. Vs.12 states that we struggle (wrestle) against…

a/ the religious.     b/ the government.     c/ spiritual forces of evil.

— Q12. A fortune-teller may also influence a person’s future by…

a/ leading them to make certain decisions.     b/ leading others to take certain actions.     c/ both a & b

______________________________

It is only proper that we let God’s Word, written for us by the Apostle Paul close, with a warning against being deceived into trying to know the future…

— Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

— May God bless, guide, and deliver us all, by the power and wisdom of His Holy Spirit. …(KK)

(Click here for PDF copy Pg.#1)

(Click here for PDF copy Pg.#2)