“One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that.” (Acts 16:16-18 MSG)
The slave girl, a person who made a lot of money as a psychic or fortuneteller, a demon-possessed girl, she was trying to ride the coattails of Paul and his co-laborers in the ministry, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. She was following them for many days, declaring, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” Her message was right, but her motive was wrong. She was not trying to perpetuate the gospel, but rather to make a profit for her masters. You know, bad tries to disguise itself as good for the wrong purpose often. Be discerning friend. Well, as you can see from the opening verses, Paul got greatly annoyed. In other words, the girl got on his last nerve. Paul commands the demon, the evil spirit, to come out of her and it came out that very moment.
That’s our text. The title again, “When It Comes To Your Last Nerve.” Here is something helpful for our times. When our children are acting out; when our spouse is acting ugly; when a co-worker is going to great lengths to annoy you every day; when the person under your supervision is acting out as influenced by an evil spirit; when you have had a hard day and the customer service clerk irritates you to what might as will be called infinity, here is what I suggest you do. First pray that you continue to communicate Christ in your demeanor and your words. Keep letting the truth ring out, exemplify that Christ really rule in you. Second, rebuke the evil spirit by praying that it come out of the person who is on your last nerve. Oh you may have to do it silently as not to create an uproar in many cases. In some cases, where you are one-on-one with someone close to you, you might gently call them out and let them know that they surely are not acting on their own accord and you are going to pray for them., better yet with them. Pray that the evil spirit comes out. Also pray that the person recognizes the motive behind their acting in such a wat that they are getting on your very last nerve behavior. Yes, pray that he or she lets the Spirit of God take over and dictate their behavior, putting an end to them getting in your last nerve. This last nerve thing is something that we need to be aware of throughout each day. This includes how we react to it. We can start something that grows into a disruptive scene and elevate an unwanted situation to the point where our own behavior is unbecoming if we don’t act in love. Or, as a better option, we can act in love, de-escalate the situation, pray, the evil spirit to come out or the emulating of worldly behavior stops . Try it when the opportunity presents itself. At least think about what I have said. It’s Wednesday morning, already what they call “hump day.” Gracefully go through the day with thanksgiving, with truth, and with love, all which will help you do just fine when somebody gets on your last nerve. Be blessed!
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King