HOW PAUL DEALT WITH A FALSE PROPHETIC SPIRIT

Paul Encounters the Spirit of Python

During their time of ministry in the city of Philippi of Macedonia, Paul and Silas encountered a young woman who prophesied through what Luke calls a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16). However, the Greek word from which “divination” is translated is python, a word associated with prophecy amongst the ancient Greeks and Romans. Because it was so well known in the ancient Greco-Roman world, the original readers of Acts would have made an immediate association when they read the words “spirit of python.”

Prophecy in the Ancient Pagan World

Prophecy was common among the ancient Greeks and Romans. In fact, the noted historian, F.C. Grant, has said that the consultation of prophetic oracles was probably the most universal cult practice in the Greco-Roman world (Hyatt, Angels of Light, 15).

“Oracle” was a word used by the ancients for a message from the gods, i.e., a prophecy. It was also used of the location where the oracles were given. Many regions had their own divinely inspired prophets or prophetesses who gave their oracles (prophecies) to a constant stream of seekers.

Prophecy was also common in the ancient pagan and mystery religions. This is borne out by the Roman historian, Livy (59 b.c. – a.d. 17), who describes followers of the pagan deity, Bacchus, who “as if insane, with fanatical tossings of their bodies, would utter prophecies.” He also describes devotees of the goddess Cybele as “prophesying in their frenzied chants” (Hyatt, Angels of Light, 15).

So pronounced was the public’s fascination with the supernatural that Petronius, a first century Roman official and novelist, declared, “It is easier to meet a god than a man.”

That prophecy and the supernatural were so common in the ancient, pagan world is why there are so many admonitions in the New Testament to not be deceived; and is why Paul, every time he mentions prophecy, includes an admonition to judge, test and prove the genuineness of prophecy.

How the “Python Spirit” Got its Name

The most famous ancient, pagan oracle (prophetic center) was at the city of Delphi in Greece and was known as the “Oracle at Delphi.” According to legend, the Greek god, Apollo, had slain a large female serpent--a python--at that site and the spirit of the python had remained. According to the legend, it now possessed the prophets and prophetesses who functioned there, “taking possession of their organs of speech moving and compelling them to give prophetic utterances” (Hyatt, Angels of Light, 16).

This was commonly known as the “pythian spirit” or the “spirit of python.” At the height of its popularity, the oracle at Delphi maintained three prophetesses who offered advice and counsel through the pythian spirit to a continual stream of visitors including generals and government officials.

“Spirit of python” thus became a general designation for pagan prophecy in the ancient Greco-Roman world. This is the association the first readers of Acts would have made to Luke’s mention of a “spirit of python.”

The Spirit of Python is Different from Christian Prophecy

One characteristic of the Oracle at Delphi—and all pagan prophecy—is that it was self-induced. Preceding their prophetic functions, the priestesses would go through ritual baths, sprinklings and animal sacrifices leading to a hyped and frenzied prophetic state.

One ancient drawing pictured the prophetess in a disheveled, frenzied state as she gave forth her oracle. Other pagan religions used music, dance, contortions and sex orgies to work themselves into a prophetic frenzy. (Do we charismatics have our own rituals by which we work ourselves into a “prophetic” state?)

In contrast, New Testament prophecy is not self-induced, i.e., it does not come forth at the initiative of the person prophesying. We do not work ourselves into a prophetic frenzy like the pagans. Paul is very clear in I Cor. 12:11 that the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, are given as He [the Holy Spirit] wills. Although we can learn about how prophecy and Spiritual gifts function, it is dangerous to think that we can learn “how to” prophesy of our own initiative.

This is, perhaps, why Paul allowed this situation with the young woman to go on for “many days” before dealing with it and casting out the spirit. He did not have a “how to” list for dealing with such situations but was dependent on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I am convinced that when we begin to push ourselves into prophesying out of our own hearts, apart from the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to false spirits such as the spirit of python that possessed this young woman in Philippi.

We Must Recognize the Counterfeit

Some today would have told this young woman that her fortunetelling ability was a gift from God and that she merely needed to submit it to Him. That was not Paul’s approach. He discerned that her gift was demonically inspired and he cast out the spirit that gave her that ability. When the demon went out, her fortunetelling powers were gone.

David Brainerd (1718-1747) ministered to Native Americans with great success. He tells of a medicine man among the Delaware who was feared and held in high esteem by the people because of his psychic and miracle working abilities. Brainerd said that when he preached about the miracles of Jesus being evidence of His divinity, the people were not impressed and proceeded to tell him about this man and his supernatural powers.

The medicine man eventually came to hear Brainerd preach and was powerfully convicted by the Holy Spirit and eventually accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior. Like the young woman in Philippi, he immediately lost all his supernatural powers. His testimony was, “When the word of God came into my heart, the power I had known went out.” His conversion and testimony had a powerful impact on the Delaware and other tribes in the region.

A person born into a family that practices palm reading, tarot card readings, ouija boards and other occultic practices may develop natural or soulish psychic abilities. They may also pick up demons, or what the Old Testament calls “familiar spirits.” It is a grave mistake to think that these are God-given gifts that will hopefully be submitted to God. They are demonic counterfeits of the true workings of the Holy Spirit and must be renounced and cast out.

Characteristics of a Spirit of Python

Luke uses “spirit of python” in regards to this slave girl probably because the spirit operating in her was like the one at Delphi. There is, of course, the possibility that she had actually been to Delphi and that is where she picked up this false spirit.

It is important to note that what she said was true. Satan and demons have some knowledge and will reveal their “secrets” in order to impress and draw people into their destructive web. Only our God, however, is omniscient, i.e., all knowing.

Here are some of the traits of a spirit of python that are obvious in this narrative.

·  It loves to flatter. The prophecy of this young woman was not given to encourage or affirm, but to flatter. We all need to give and receive affirmation and encouragement, but flattery is insincere and self-serving. So many today, including leaders, are so starved for affirmation and approval that they are vulnerable to the flatteries of a deceiving, python spirit. We must be so settled in God’s acceptance and approval that we are no longer susceptible to the flatteries of a false prophetic spirit. Beware of those who use prophecy to flatter and, thereby, gain advantage.

·     It demands attention. This is indicated by the fact that she followed Paul and the others for “many days” continually giving forth her prophecy. Beware of those who use prophecy to thrust themselves into the limelight.

·  It loves to be seen and heard. This is indicated by the fact that she kept putting herself at the center of attention. Note those who use prophecy to make themselves the center of attention.

·  It wants to be important. This is indicated by the fact that she directed her prophesying to the leaders of this new movement. Beware of those who use prophecy to gain status with pastors and leaders.

·  There is a monetary motive.  This young slave girl was raking in a lot of money for her masters. I am afraid this same motive is present in the charismatic/prophetic movement today. Some brashly offer a personal prophecy in return for a financial gift. Others are more subtle like a "prophet" I once saw who expressed his desire to pray for everyone who would bring a certain designated offering to the front for his ministry. As he prayed and then prophesied over each one that came with their money, I saw women looking in their purses for money so they could go forward and “get a word.” I believe this man was opening himself to a false spirit—a spirit of python—by his devious actions.

Taking A Stand for Truth

There is so little discernment today that many churches in the modern charismatic/prophetic movement would probably have put this young woman on their prophetic team, for what she prophesied was accurate and positive.

Discernment is lacking because, in this post-modern world, the lines between true and false are being blurred and even erased. Reason and common sense are being replaced by a me-centered philosophy that creates its own reality.

Some in the charismatic movement are tapping into New Age writings with the excuse that “all truth is God’s truth.” If this had been Paul’s approach he would never have confronted the python spirit and cast it out, for what was being said was true.

Taking a stand for truth is not always the most popular thing to do. Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten and thrown in jail because they distinguished between the true and the false and cast out the python spirit. Nonetheless, they refused to compromise truth and God sent an earthquake, physically and spiritually, and turned the situation completely around.

God is looking for people who will stand for truth in this hour. Truth is vital for it is our ultimate weapon against the “father of lies.” This is why Jesus said,

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books, Prophets and Prophecy and Angels of Light, available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com. 

REST FOR YOUR SOULS

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

In the above passage, Jesus issues a call to sincere people who are burdened down with religious duty. He is speaking to people who are weary of trying to fulfill the multitude of miniscule religious rules and regulations that have been imposed on them.

You see, the rabbis had identified 613 commands in the Torah; 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commands. The Pharisees of Jesus day believed that if all Israel kept all 613 commandments for just one day, there would be a great shift and the Messiah would come and restore the kingdom to Israel.

The Pharisees, therefore, called upon the Israelites to take upon themselves “the yoke of the law.” This was a commitment to do their level best to keep all 613 commandments. The Pharisees were very zealous in their efforts to get people to make this commitment. Jesus referred to this in Matthew 23:14 when He said,

Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Jesus’ response was to call the people away from man-made religious traditions into a personal, committed relationship with Himself. Come to Me, He invited the multitudes. Take My yoke upon you, He said, and learn from Me.

In being yoked together with Jesus in such a committed relationship, the promise is, you will find rest for your souls. The Greek literally reads, I will rest you. In other words, He will actively rest you, even as a mother rocks and actively “rests” her infant child.

There is rest for your soul today. Yoke up with Jesus. Do you hear Him calling?

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, historian and Bible teacher with a vision to see America reconnect with its Christian heritage as a nation birthed in prayer and spiritual awakening.  Check out the numerous books he has written on this topic including America's Revival Heritage and 1726: The Year that Defined America.  He and his wife, Dr. Susan Hyatt, have been in ministry together for 50 years and you can check out their websites at http://eddiehyatt.com and http://godswordtowomen.org.

THE PILGRIMS TRIED SOCIALISM AND IT ALMOST DESTROYED THEM

Winston Churchill said, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Modern America can avoid a lot of pain and suffering by listening to those voices from the past.

For example, before the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela and Zohran Mamdani, socialism was tried right here on American soil and utterly failed. The Pilgrims, who established the first permanent English settlement in New England in the fall of 1620, at first attempted a socialist style of living. They disbanded it, however, when it became obvious that their community could not survive with such a system.

Socialism Forced on Them

The Pilgrim’s journey to America was funded by a group of English businessmen who provided the ship and supplies for their journey to the New World. In return, the Pilgrims agreed to live communally with everyone receiving the same recompense for their work, and with everything above their basic necessities going into a common fund to be used to pay their creditors.

In other words, there was no inequality. Income produced by farming, fishing, and fur trading would be spread around and evenly divided among members of the community. There would be only one economic class of people in this system. They were all equal,

William Bradford, who served as governor of Plymouth for many years, told of the challenges of this socialist system and how it almost destroyed their community (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 52).

Four lessons the Pilgrims would teach modern America about socialism are: (1) Socialism destroys initiative an innovation; (2) Socialism fosters irresponsibility; (3) Socialism extinguishes hope and generates strife; and (4) Socialism is incompatible with human nature.

Lesson #1
Socialism Destroys Initiative and Innovation

Under this socialist system, everyone received the same recompense for their work. No matter how hard, or how little, they worked, all received the same income. With no reward tied to their labor, initiative was destroyed, and everyone put forth their least effort.

Why work and dream when you are trapped in a socialist system that mandates equality of outcome for everyone? This socialist system destroyed initiative and innovation and almost destroyed the Pilgrim community.

Lesson #2
Socialism Fosters Irresponsibility

Young men, Bradford said, resented getting paid the same as older men when they did so much more of the work. As a result, they tended to slouch and slack since they knew they would receive the same no matter how hard they worked.

Knowing they would receive the same no matter how hard or how little they worked, the women often refused go to the fields to work, complaining of sickness and headaches. To have compelled them to go, Bradford said, would have been considered tyranny and oppression.

With no individual reward tied to their innovation and labor, everyone gave their least effort. Irresponsibility became obvious throughout the community and many became gripped with a sense of hopelessness.

Lesson #3
Socialism Extinguishes Hope and Generates Strife

This socialist system led to a widespread sense of hopelessness. With everyone locked into a closed economic system, there was nothing individuals or families could do to improve their personal lot. Feeling caught in a trap, bickering and strife began to emerge.

The older men, Bradford said, felt they deserved more honor and recompense because of their age and resented getting paid the same as the youngsters in their midst. The young men, on the other hand, resented getting paid the same as the older men when they often did more of the work.

This sense of hopelessness and the ensuing strife drained energy and discouraged innovative thinking and led to very serious complications for the community.

Lesson #4
Socialism is Incompatible with Human Nature

Bradford believed that socialism did not work because it runs counter to human nature as created by God. In Scripture, God rewards individuals for their labor and good works. Capitalism works because it is compatible with the reality of human nature and the world in which we live.

I will never forget visiting eastern Europe shortly after the fall of the Soviet Empire. I was struck by the grey, drab environment. Even the buildings seemed so plain, flat and lackluster. It was obvious that the Marxist system had robbed the people of life, energy and creativity. 

To Survive, They Had to Change

When it became obvious that lack and perhaps starvation would be their lot, Bradford and the leaders of the colony decided to make a change. After much prayer and discussion, they dispensed with that part of the agreement with their creditors that required them to live communally until their debt was paid. In its place, they implemented a free entrepreneurial system that included private ownership of property (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 52-53).

They Experience the Blessing of Free Enterprise

According to Bradford, they divided the land around them, allotting to each family a certain portion that would be theirs to work and use for their own needs. Bradford said there was an immediate change. The young men began to work much harder because they now knew they would eat the fruit of their own labors.

There were no more complaints from the older men for the same reason. And now the women were seen going into the fields to work, taking the children with them, because they knew they and their family would personally benefit.

Instead of lacking food, each family now grew more food than they needed, and they began to trade with one another for furnishings, clothes and other goods. They also had enough excess to trade with the Indians for furs and other items. In short, the colony began to prosper when they got rid of their socialist form of government and implemented a free, entrepreneurial system.

Of their experience with socialism, Bradford wrote;

This community [socialism] was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort . . . and showed the vanity of that conceit of Plato’s, and applauded by some of later times, that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God (Hyatt, The Pilgrims, 53-54).

Christianity & Capitalism

As Christians, our responsibility is to call people to Christ and help them live out their Christianity in the real world. Living out our Christianity means a life of responsibility, not looking for government hand-outs but working and prospering in a way that we can give a hand-up to those in need.

We desire the best for the greatest number of people which is why we must reject the contemporary vision of a government-mandated socialist system in America.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and The Pilgrims, both available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

HOW TO INTRODUCE A JEW TO THE MESSIAH

In the middle of a very busy afternoon the phone rang and the voice on the other end identified herself as the director of a local Christian counseling center. She proceeded to tell me that she was talking to a young Jewish man who had wandered in, and she wondered if I had anything that might be helpful to him.

As I listened to this counseling center director, I immediately thought of a cassette tape I possessed, which contained a teaching entitled “How to Introduce a Jew to the Messiah.” It was by a Messianic rabbi named Manny Brotman who, at that time, pastored a Messianic congregation in Washington, D.C.

I pulled the tape off the shelf and rushed to the counselling center where Elaine, the director, introduced me to the young man. I shook his hand, gave him the tape, and went on my way. It was one event in a very busy day, and I soon forgot about it. Many years later I would learn the significance of that moment.

This was 1980 and Sue and I were pastoring a new congregation in her hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick in eastern Canada. The years went by and 13 years later we were living in Tulsa, OK. During a ministry trip to Ontario, Canada, I preached on a particular Sunday morning in a church pastored by the well-known Canadian evangelist, Bill Prankard.

I preached to a packed-out congregation that morning and after the service a young man came up to me with big smile on his face, stuck out his hand and asked, “Do you remember me?” It was obvious he felt a strong connection with me and I felt somewhat embarrassed that I did not recognize him.

I shook his hand and replied, “I am sorry that I don’t recognize you. What is your name?” He told me his name, and I was even more embarrassed because I did not remember his name. He then asked, “Do you remember giving a young Jewish man a cassette tape in Saint John, New Brunswick years ago?”

It all came back to me and I replied, “Oh yes, I remember.” He said, “That was me and the message on that tape was exactly what I needed to hear.” He went on to say, “I am now pastoring a Messianic congregation in Toronto and I saw an ad in the newspaper where you would be speaking here today.”

At this point he gestured to several rows of people seated near us and said, “Since we had our service yesterday [Saturday], I brought my entire congregation here today to hear you speak.”

I was astounded that day and I am still amazed when I consider how that small seed, which I planted that day, produced such a harvest. It is also a reminder that every Christian should be equipped to "introduce a Jew to the Messiah.”

Manny Brotman’s approach in introducing a Jew to the Messiah was to show the many Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah King and how they had all been fulfilled in Jesus. The prophecies are very detailed, predicting the place he would be born, that He would a descendant of David, many details concerning his death, that He would suffer and die for the sins of His people, and that He would rise from the dead.

This was also Paul’s modus operandi for sharing the Gospel with the Jews of his day. Luke describes this in Acts 17:2-3 where he recounts Paul’s ministry in the Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica. He wrote,

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with the from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

Since there was no New Testament at the time, the “Scriptures” Paul is using to make his argument about Jesus are the Old Testament Scriptures. Using persuasive arguments from the Old Testament is how the 1st century church presented the Gospel to the Jewish people.

Sadly, this modus operandi changed as the church became Romanized and gained political power beginning with the Roman emperor, Constantine. With the power of the empire behind her, the medieval church now relied on political force rather than reasonable arguments from Scripture to convert both pagans and Jews.

For example, the Catholic Inquisition targeted Jews and gave them the option of converting to Christianity or being put to death with the sword. The Crusades were military expeditions organized to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. However, in their journeys, these “Christian” crusaders murdered Jews wherever they found them, considering them to be “Christ-killers” and enemies of the gospel.

Such Jew-hatred has been all too common throughout history from those who called themselves “Christian.” Sir John Acton was right when he declared, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This was certainly true of the medieval church which became deeply corrupted with its newfound political power, which had nothing to do with Jesus and the New Testament. Pope Leo should publicly apologize for these atrocities.

These historical atrocities help explain why many Jews today have a mental block towards Christianity. In their minds, Christianity is associated with bigotry, prejudice, and violent oppression. We all have the responsibility of changing this perception by demonstrating by word and deed what true Christianity is all about.

I am convinced that many Jews today can be brought to Christ if we show them the love of the real Christ and present the Gospel to them following the pattern laid out by Manny Brotman and Paul the Apostle—showing them how Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament Messianic prophecies.

This will have an added benefit for when we become equipped to “introduce a Jew to the Messiah” we will also be equipped to present a profound rational argument for the truthfulness of Scripture and the Gospel message to anyone. This is so because fulfilled prophecy is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence for the accuracy and trustworthiness of Scripture.

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is the author of numerous books, including 1726: The Year that Defined America, all available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

A LESSON AND A WARNING FROM THE SHUTDOWN

On Wednesday evening President Trump signed off on a bill ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history—43 days. The shutdown ended when eight Democrat senators decided that the widespread disruption and chaos caused by the shutdown had gone on long enough and voted with the Republicans to open the government.

But make no mistake! This shutdown was not about policy. This shutdown was about power and was driven by power-hungry politicians more concerned with acquiring power than contributing to the well-being of the people they represent. In fact, most Democrats were willing to continue to inflict pain on millions because they believed it was giving them “leverage,” which actually refers to “power.”

Recently, there have been some large “No Kings” rallies targeting Donald Trump because the organizers accuse him of acting like a king. But if he were a king he would have kept the government open despite what the minority was doing in the Senate, where they used a procedural tactic (the filibuster) to act like kings and impose their will over the majority.

They were willing to inflict suffering on millions if it would lead to them acquiring power. Their obsession with power only ended when a few clear-minded Democrats, like Senator Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted to end the chaos.

This should be a flashing red light to every American for it has been power-hungry emperors, popes, generals, prime ministers, etc. that have created the most oppressive regimes in human history. Sir John Acton was right, when after doing an extensive examination of secular and Christian history, wrote, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Power in the hands of Bernie Sanders, AOC, Zohran Mamdani and their power-hungry colleagues would be the end of the America of Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. It would be the end of this land of liberty—the end of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Such love of power is antithetical to Biblical Christianity, for when God came down to earth, He let go of power. He did not show up at the political power center in Rome nor the religious power center in Jerusalem, but in a stable in the insignificant village of Bethlehem with a feeding trough for a bed.

Jesus continually warned against the pursuit of power. When James and John requested the two most powerful seats in His kingdom, one on the right and the other on the left, Jesus harshly rebuked them and told them they were thinking like pagans. He then told them that anyone who wants to be great must become a “servant” (Mark 10:37-45).

This is where we get the idea of calling government officials “public servants.” Based on the teachings of Jesus, leadership is to be characterized by service, not power and control.

America was founded on this philosophy of government and leadership. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The philosophy of Jesus is the most sublime and benevolent code of morals ever offered to man. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen.” Every Founding Father agreed.

Because America’s Founders held Jesus and his teachings in such high regard, they sought to create a nation whose government would be characterized by service rather than power. They therefore prayerfully divided the powers of government into an executive branch, a judicial branch and two legislative branches.

They instituted checks and balances for the purpose of keeping absolute power out of the hands of any one person or group of persons. They agreed with Thomas Paine who in his popular book, Common Sense, wrote, “Government at its best is a necessary evil; and at its worst, an intolerable one.”

So, when you hear politicians today promising to use governmental power to solve every problem and meet every need, you should run from them. They are looking for power, not the opportunity to serve. They want a powerful, centralized government with their hands controlling the levers of governmental power.

America does not need more government. America needs more God. We can be hopeful for there are signs of spiritual awakening across the land. To read more about the vision of America’s founders and how they were impacted by a Great Awakening, check out the numerous books I have written on this topic, especially 1726: The Year that Defined America.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is the founder of the "1726 Project," which is dedicated to informing and educating Americans about the nation's overt Christian birth out of the First Great Awakening and the profound role it had in ending slavery. His books are available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com. To schedule him to speak to your church, group or conference, send an email to dreddiehyatt@gmail.com.

EVERTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOCIALISM FROM THE BIBLE AND THE PILGRIMS

The election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of America's largest city has unleashed a firestorm of discussion and controversy over the dangers of socialism, which in Mamdani's case is a nice way of saying "communism" or "Marxism." Although he calls himself a “Socialist Democrat,” the statements of Mamdani clearly identify him as a Marxist. 

For example, he has called for eliminating private property ownership and in its place implementing government-run housing for everyone. He wants to implement a chain of government-run grocery stores and generally have the government take over every area of life for New Yorkers (and eventually America). He has also called for defunding the police and generally labeled them as racists. 

Winston Churchill once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Since this statement is true and the facts of history do not lie, America's largest city is facing a dire future; for everywhere that socialism/communism has been tried, it has produced lack, starvation, including right here on American soil.

Before the old Soviet Union, Cuba, Cambodia, and Venezuela, the Pilgrims, who established Plymouth Colony in New England in the fall of 1620, at first attempted a socialist/communist style of living. They disbanded it, however, when it became obvious that their community could not survive with such a system.

They Were All Equal

The Pilgrim’s journey to America was funded by a group of English businessmen who provided the ship and supplies for their journey to the New World. In return, the Pilgrims agreed to live communally with no private property until the debt was paid. Everyone would receive the same compensation for their work, with everything above their basic necessities going into a common fund to be used to pay their creditors.

In other words, there was no inequality. Income produced by farming, fishing, and fur trading would be spread around and evenly divided among members of the community. There was only one economic class of people in this system. They were all equal!

William Bradford, who served as governor of Plymouth for many years, told of the challenges of this socialist system and how it almost destroyed their community (Hyatt, 1726:The Year that Defined America, 23-26). Drawn from Bradford’s account, here are four important lessons that Mamdani would do well to learn.

Lesson #1
Socialism Destroys Initiative and Innovation

Under this socialist system, everyone received the same compensation for their work. No matter how hard or how little they worked, all received the same income. With no reward tied to their labor, initiative was destroyed, and everyone put forth their least effort.

Why work and dream when you are trapped in a socialist system that mandates equality of outcome for everyone? This socialist system destroyed initiative, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and almost destroyed the Pilgrim community.

Lesson #2
Socialism Fosters Irresponsibility

Young men, Bradford said, resented getting paid the same as older men when they did so much more of the work. As a result, they tended to slouch and slack since they knew they would receive the same no matter how hard they worked.

Knowing they would receive the same no matter how hard or how little they worked, the women often refused go to the fields to work, complaining of sickness and headaches. To have compelled them to go, Bradford said, would have been considered tyranny and oppression.

With no individual reward tied to their labor, everyone gave their least effort. Irresponsibility became obvious throughout the community, and many became gripped with a sense of hopelessness.

Lesson #3
Socialism Extinguishes Hope and Generates Strife

This socialist system led to a widespread sense of hopelessness. With everyone locked into a closed economic system, there was nothing individuals or families could do to improve their personal lot. Feeling caught in a trap, bickering and strife began to emerge.

The older men, Bradford said, felt they deserved more honor and recompense because of their age and resented getting paid the same as the youngsters in their midst. The young men, on the other hand, resented getting paid the same as the older men when they often did more of the work.

This sense of hopelessness and the ensuing strife drained energy and discouraged innovative thinking and led to very serious complications for the community.

Lesson #4
Socialism is Incompatible with Human Nature

Bradford believed that socialism did not work because it runs counter to human nature as created by God. In Scripture, God rewards individuals for their labor and good works. Capitalism works because it is compatible with the reality of human nature and the world in which we live.

I will never forget visiting eastern Europe shortly after the fall of the Soviet Empire. I was struck by the grey, drab environment. Even the buildings seemed so plain, flat and lackluster. Communism had obviously extinguished the fires of creativity and innovation.

To Survive, They Had to Change

When it became obvious that lack and perhaps starvation would be their lot, Bradford and the leaders of the colony decided to make a change. After much prayer and discussion, they dispensed with that part of the agreement with their creditors that required them to live communally until their debt was paid. In its place, they implemented a free entrepreneurial system that included private ownership of property (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 23-26).

They Experience the Blessing of Free Enterprise

According to Bradford, they divided the land around them, allotting to each family a certain portion that would be theirs to work and use for their own needs. Bradford said there was an immediate change. The young men began to work much harder because they now knew they would eat the fruit of their own labors.

There were no more complaints from the older men for the same reason. And now the women were seen going into the fields to work, taking the children with them, because they knew they and their family would personally benefit.

Instead of lacking food, each family now grew more food than they needed, and they began to trade with one another for furnishings, clothes and other goods. They also had enough excess to trade with the Natives for furs and other items. In short, the colony began to prosper when they got rid of their socialist form of government and implemented a free, entrepreneurial system. Of their experience with socialism, Bradford wrote,

This community [socialism] was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort . . . and showed the vanity of that conceit of Plato’s, and applauded by some of later times, that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 23-26).  

Compassionate Capitalism

Once they embraced a free entrepreneurial system, the Pilgrims had no poor in their midst because they were both an innovative and a compassionate people.  As Christians of the Reformation, they sought to live out the words of Jesus to “love your neighbor as yourself” and they generously assisted those who suffered loss through sickness or death.

Theirs was a voluntary charity rooted in the teachings of Jesus, not something imposed by a centralized, authoritarian government. Capitalism, undergirded by a vibrant Christianity, is what made America the most powerful and prosperous nation in human history and is the key to her future prosperity.

The lessons from history are clear about socialism. They serve as a flashing red light warning anyone moving in that direction to STOP now! If, therefore, we desire the best for the greatest number of people, then we must reject Mamdani’s vision of a government-mandated socialist system for New York City and America.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and The Pilgrims, both available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com. His latest book, just released, is entitled The Book that Made America Great.