HOW PYTHON IS INFILTRATING THE CHURCH
Date: 10/30/2009
Where Python Comes From, & What It Is
[EXCERPT]
"Just as on the day of Pentecost, a rushing wind is filling the Church. This wind (Ruach) will bring cleansing and refreshing. No wonder this spirit of python is set to destruction against the leadership."
One of the greatest hindrances to Christianity is religion. People get stuck in tradition, church doctrine and legalism, causing them to become unteachable. Satan then uses these people with a religious spirit to try and choke the life out of the Church.
To understand the Python Spirit, you have to look at the history of the ancient city Delphi and the Greek god Apollo, said to be the son of Zeus. You need to understand the spiritual influence of the python and where it came from. First we have to establish some historical fact and biblical foundation. "Who is python?" "Where is it in the bible?" Once that is established, you will then be able to move more deeply into this subject on how to overcome this spiritual stronghold. Manifestation of this spirit include: spiritual apathy, depression, and control. You may identify with some of these in your past or present church.
1. Expose the spirit: What is the python spirit?
2. How does it attack and gain entry?
3. How do we overcome this demonic power?
Spirit of Python
The first place that you will find the spirit of python is in the book of Acts.
Acts 16:16-19
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. 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." 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. 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.
In this passage of scripture the spirit of divination is literally translated spirit of python in the Greek.
Divination 4436 Puthon (poo’- thone) From putho (the name of the region where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located) a python, i.e. (by analogy, with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying) or witchcraft.
Divination is the art of obtaining secret knowledge, especially of the future, is a pagan counterpart of prophecy. Careful comparisons of scripture will reveal that inspirational divination is by demonic power, whereas genuine prophecy is by the Spirit of God. The biblical attitude toward divination is distinctly hostile. In Deut 18: 10-12, the prophet of Jehovah is contrasted with diviners of all sorts and is set forth as the only authorized medium of supernatural revelation.
Numbers 22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand.
Divination (Heb) 7081 qecem (keh’-sem) From 7080; a lot: also divination, divine sentence, or witchcraft. Root word 7080 qacam (kaw-sam) A primitive root; properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by magical scroll; by implication, to divine: KJV—divine (-r, -ation) prudent, soothsayer, use {divination}
Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or the useth divination, or an observer of the times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Enchanter 5172 nachash (naw-khash’) A primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate.
This spirit of python is the inspiration (source) of witchcraft and divination. To understand the working of this spirit look at the famous oracle of Apollo in the ancient city of Delphi.
It is believed by some that in this region where Paul ministered, Acts 16:16, in the heavens and the spiritual climate stilled ruled a spiritual stronghold and influence of python. Just like when Paul preached in Ephesus, there still was a spiritual battle with the UN-known gods and the goddess Diana (Acts 19:34-41). It was there that a riot broke out against Paul because of their worship of Artemis the Greek goddess, sister to Apollo. What happened in this city with the possessed slave girl was a natural picture and manifestation of the ruling spirit in the region that went back thousands of years. Look at some of the spiritual history surrounding this region to understand this spirit of python.
The Famous Oracle (History of Delphi)
In Greek mythology, Python was a serpent that dwelt in the caves of Mount Parnassus and was slain by the Greek god Apollo, who then founded the sacred oracle at DELPHI or took it over from Python's guardianship.
The Pagan Oracle of Delphi was located about 75 miles northwest of Athens on the Corinthian Sea 5 miles inland and 10 miles south of Mount Parnassos' (Parnassus) summit. There on the sharp, Parnassus Mountain cliffs, at nearly 1900 feet above the Corinthian Gulf, where the sacred spring, Castalia flows into the Cephissus River, two spectacular crags form a ledge. the Pagan temple of Apollo was located. Steps at one corner reached the lower level of the Temple and it is said that intoxicating fumes rose from a cleft in the floor near the center of the chamber, which were believed to be the smell from the decaying Python, which Apollo is said to have killed. It was on Parnassus that the sacred Stone of Rhea landed when Cronus disgorged it.
Centuries before the birth of Christ devout pilgrims made the arduous trek to Delphi to ask for advice from the famous Oracle. City-states made generous contributions, some even establishing treasuries on the site. For more than six centuries, until the Christian emperor Arcadius in 398 CE destroyed the shrine, Delphi truly shaped the history of the world.
Tradition has it that Delphi was found by Coretas, a shepherd boy, who discovered that his sheep and goats acted strangely when they approached the area and he himself soon began uttering prophetic statements which came true. However, the priestesses of Daphoene gave oracle at Delphi during Cretan times, which were at least 200 years and possibly 400 years before Apollo. The shepherd, Coretas, obviously did not discover the sight, but rather he uncovered the secret to the priestesses of the Serpent Oracles of Mother goddess who presided there. Christian sources assert that the priestess at Delphi (Pythoness) was intoxicated by fumes escaping from the underground cavern and that she spoke gibberish which had to be interpreted by the priest; and further that the questions had to be formed so as to receive a "yes" or "no" answer.
Pythoness - (priestess) any woman supposed to be possessed of the spirit of prophecy; a witch; familiar spirit.
Pythonism - divination, divining, augury, soothsaying, fortune telling, crystal gazing, astrology, and/or sorcery.
People came from all over the world to receive direction and revelation. The priestess (pythian) would breath in these fumes that came up from the ground which some even called the "prophetic spirit of Apollo" to receive their secret knowledge. Woman priestesses would be possessed much like a medium today and some say that without control and even in a trance state, speak. The people truly believed that the god Apollo spoke through the Oracle, merely using her vocal cords to express his wishes and advice. Witchcraft (divination) was founded on python worship. This snake was worshipped for thousands of years before Apollo established his famous oracle and temple and was the very symbol of this region.
One other interesting note about the Greek god Apollo which we know is a demon that expressed itself as many other strongholds in ancient mythology, was also known of as the god of healing diseases. I find it very interesting that even today the natural symbol of medical healing is a serpent and even in Numbers 21 when sickness strikes the Israelites, it comes with serpents and when God instructs Moses about the remedy it is a bronze serpent on a pole. Even though in ancient Egypt and still places today the most commonly worshipped snake is a cobra. There is a connection to infirmity and the spirit of Python.
It is believed that this spirit of python has found its strength today in a generation that is hungry and looking for the supernatural in fortune-tellers, physics, tarot cards readers, Harry Potter movies, new-age-movement, witchcraft, crystals, satanic music, mediums found on television, false religions, transcendental mediators and more.
There is even a mixture in the church today like in King Saul’s day. When there is no word of the Lord or prophetic vision in the land and someone needs direction, they sometimes turn to a false source of revelation like King Saul did, and call the physic hotlines, or they allow their children to watch movies like Harry Potter and/or pokemon movies. Maybe even doing a little Yoga or still read the horoscopes, there are many forms of witchcraft and Christian control, manipulation and rebellion in the church today.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is of the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry
We know that Jezebel not only uses witchcraft, but also promotes and sets a platform for the false prophets of Baal and witchcraft in the land. This spirit serves the agenda of Jezebel and is the source of all-demonic divination and witchcraft. I believe that many psychics and those who practice various forms of divination may be true in many of their predications and even accurate in their prophetic readings. Because even in Acts 16 the possessed girl spoke the truth about Paul.
Acts 16:17
"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.’"
But look at what God says in
Deuteronomy 18:10 "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or the useth divination, or an observer of the times, or an enchanter, or a witch."
God alone is to be the source of all prophecy and revelation. It was not so much what the slave girl said that was wrong but the spirit in which she spoke.
Deuteronomy 18:11-14 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
"God has established himself the true source of revelation."
This python spirit is still attacking believers and the church today; thus prompting us to understand some physical facts about this snake.
Python - A genus of very large, nonpoisonous snakes of Burma, Indo-China, India, Mexico, Asia, Africa, the tropics and beyond. These snakes are known to crush their prey to death and kill by suffocation.
There are several different types of pythons and some of these larger pythons are often confused with the boas. Its various species are found throughout the tropics of the world. Some have been reported to be 30 feet or more and 200 - 250 in pounds. Adults are typically between 15 and 20 feet long. However different geographic individuals have different lengths, some as small as 10 or 12 feet, and others, which will grow to over 20 feet. Adult pythons are very large powerful snakes. It is not uncommon to see a python that is over 20 feet to weigh 200-250 pounds. A typical 15-foot python will weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.
Killing of the prey happens by constriction and suffocation. When a python has you in it's grip each time you breath the grip tightens with each breath. Some have said the death process is slow, and when a python has you in its grip the only way to kill it is by cutting off its head. (which is a key to attacking it in the spirit realm)
When the python attacks, one or more coils of the body are thrown around the victim, following up the stroke of the head, and the powerful body muscles apply pressure. The pressure exerted by a large python must be terrific. The prey is killed, however, by suffocation rather than by any actual crushing of the ribs.
In the Hellenistic belief, a python was a spirit, which possessed certain persons and prophesied unknown to them through their mouths like a ventriloquist without control of the body. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
In the literal Greek and Hebrew translations a serpent is:
Serpent: 5175 from 5172; a snake from its hiss, a serpent; a hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; gen. To prognosticate; divine, enchanter, enchantment, learn by experience, indeed, diligently observe.
How A Python Attacks
Control
This spirit wants to keep you from doing what God wants you to do. This is achieved best by the strategy of spiritual apathy. Python wants to quench through suffocation the life and breathe of God from your lungs and crush your hopes, faith, visions and dreams.
Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision the people perish." (Become lazy and complacent)
If the devil can crush your hopes, faith, visions and dreams then you will not have the fire you need to "press on to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." The devil wants to get your drive, motivation and fight. This is achieved in many different ways. One in which the devil will whisper in your ears lies, accusations, condemnation, fear and unbelief.
Personally speaking, the first time that I realized that I had encountered this spirit was while in deliverance, when someone was no longer capable of comprehending the Word of God. Now, they could read the Word, and could preach the word, but the Word was not able to sink into their mind. They could not see it as an application to their own life. This person was like a gourd and no matter how loudly you preached, how much you revealed, there were certain areas in their life that they could not/would not bring to the Lord for deliverance. Whenever we would get close to getting this out, the person would sit emotionless, like a “bump-on-a-log” without expression. It was explained to me that python spirit coils itself around the mental processing abilities of the brain, and begins to squeeze as to not allow any information or thought process in which might dislodge anything demonic presence in their lives including the python itself. So, this person, who was an associate pastor of a church, would walk in his deliverance, then begin acting strangely, and ultimately fall. It was a repetitious cycle of failure in walking away from crack addiction. Although this was the first time that I ever encountered this, it was not the last time. I have actually seen the man’s face take on the shape, form, and similar appearance of a python, right before my eyes. That is how and why I know it is real!
Spirit of Python and Drugs
I have found the work of control on several occasions when dealing with those bound with addictions, particularly smoking or drugs, that a spirit of python binds them. Even more especially those who have used the hallucinate drugs, like LSD (acid) or magic mushrooms and PCP also called angel dust. During the oracle at Delphi formerly (pytho) the priestess would even use a leaf called the laurel leaves a mildly poisonous plant taking in small amounts that produced prophetic hallucinations at the place of the oracle. This would be true in the scripture as well for the root word for medicines, pharmaceutical is found in sorcery (witchcraft).
Sorceries in the Greek is translated pharmakeia ( far-mak-eye-ah) Strong’s 5331 compare, "pharmacy and pharmacist"
Generally described as the use of medicine, drugs, or spells. Later the word was used of poisoning, and then of sorcery, accompanied by drugs, incantations, charms, and magic. We have seen this spirit at work in those who have received treatment for healing by pursuing the ancient arts of magic or different divination to alleviate pain.
Many times when casting out the demons of addiction it is necessary to break the spirit of python controlling them. At times when we have cast out spirits of behind the addictions, we have had to break the power of python, especially when the spirits manifest and comes out with choking and gagging manifestations, some even feel a constriction or tightness in the chest and feel like they are being choked.
Apathy
Apathy is much like the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). It is like a spiritual cap in the spirit realm as it manifests with a sluggish weight during worship and weighed heavy on the countenance of the people in the meeting Python attacks in this way, squeezing the life, breath and joy of the Lord from our lives. It was even difficult to feel the Lord’s presence and continually challenges people’s hunger for God. Imagine in the natural carrying around a 200-pound snake on your shoulders and how that would weigh you down and make you sluggish. One of the devils number one attacks is hopelessness, despair, discouragement and depression; it weighs you down and makes us tired.
Python and God’s Promise
Numbers 13:32 "And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature."
Numbers 13:22 "And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. Their hearts had melted at the giants of Anak in the land."
And they said:
Numbers 13:28 "Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there."
They also said:
Numbers 13:33 "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Even though God had promised in
Numbers 13:2 "Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel."
It was a done deal God promised, but because of their perspective of the situation and the way it looked in the natural. Fear and discouragements gripped their heart and they got into unbelief at Gods promise and did not enter into the prophetic promise. Just like many Christians today, they have several prophetic promises and they fail to enter because of discouragement and unbelief. This is the way the spirit of python crushes our faith, vision, hope and dreams. Through discouragements he causes depression, a sense of hopelessness and despair. Depression and the spirit of heaviness brings infirmity, defeat and sickness.
Proverbs 29:18 "Where my people have no vision, they perish (or become lazy and complacent is the word here.")
Spiritual apathy is no fight or drive to possess the promises of God.
Remember that the strategy of the spirit of python is to crush and suffocate the fire and life of God, using constriction and squeezing hope out of our hearts. Python wants to choke out the promise through strangling, using the power of hopelessness and discouragement.
The very Hebrew translation of the word Anak for the giants in the land is: To choke as with strangulation using a necklace. Sometimes some come to such a place in the warfare associated with this spirit, and its slow death process, and constant feeling of weighing down. They want to commit suicide to end the pain.
Spirit of Infirmity and Death
The spirit of python is also closely linked to the spirit of infirmity and death. Remember established earlier a close link in some countries even to this day, where the python or cobra is looked to for healing. This spirit is still at work in those persons who have received treatment for healing by pursuing the ancient arts of magic and divination to alleviate pain. When a python has you in its grip, its intent is death and it can be a slow process.
This spirit of python can be found at work when dealing with individuals that have come from a controlling or out from under a religious relationship, or a background where witchcraft and manipulation were used. This spirit can also be at work in those who have been plagued with a lifetime of infirmity or frequent bizarre and freak accidents or near drowning, traumatic situations. Some even come under attack at night with choking manifestations around their throat. This is the work of the spirit of death and python. You can find this spirit at work, quite often in those who return from the mission field after ministry and they encountered a lot of resistance and witchcraft. Sometimes individuals find themselves drained of all their strength and weakened spiritually and physically from dealing with this spirit especially after overseas ministry and the spirit of divination at work in those countries is so strong. Many find themselves and homes battling with infirmities or even bizarre accidents after overseas ministry.
Word Curses
Proverbs 18:21
"For life and death are in the power of the tongue."
There is also a strong link in scripture to physical infirmities and depression.
Depression
Remember one of the strategies of this spirit is to discourage, trodden down, which opens the door to depression and from depression, infirmity and sickness. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 61:3 "Appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called Trees of righteousness."
Proverbs 4:23
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
Your heart is the seat of your emotions. What the bible is saying is that with all diligence we need to protect and our mind, will and emotions because it is the seat for everything that happens in our lives. The devil does not just want to harm your body, but wants to break your spirit through the work of depression.
Proverbs 14:30 "A sound or tranquil heart is life to the body. (A heart at peace or rest)"
We need to have a sound heart, and be full of the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Satan wants to disturb the peace in our hearts through anxiety, personal destruction, financial problems, strife in the home, gossip, co-workers, words of condemnation, lies, discouragement and unbelief, crushing our hopes, faith, vision and dreams.
Proverbs 29:18
"Where there is no vision the people perish."
They become lazy and complacent just like spiritual apathy. He wants to disrupt the tranquility and soundness of our heart in any way that he can, because there is a connection between our hearts and sickness. The heart that is not joyful and sound, which means at peace or rest, is a broken spirit. When your spirit is broken, it is open for the enemy's attack with sickness or disease.
Proverbs 15:13,15 "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." "All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."
Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad."
Proverbs 17:22
"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”
You can see that Depression is connected to all kinds of infirmity and sickness.
How This Spirit Works
As a Christian, some have even innocently given your self to any kind of divination and control or witchcraft. Maybe they have called a physic or read their horoscopes, they need to repent of all involvement in any form of divination or sorcery
Before they were saved they may have been involved in one or many various forms of divination and they still haven't renounced the power connected to all witchcraft specifically.
Generational witchcraft in families, someone close to you or even in your home may be involved in or searching for answers in divination. God said that He would visit the iniquity of the fathers to the fourth generation. Well now, we have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, and 16 great-great-grandparents. I do not know what my ancestors were involved in, few can attest that they can either. So you can ask the Lord if there is any witchcraft or divination directed at you, especially if you have come under attack since the mission field and break its power in spiritual warfare. If you believe in any way that you are battling with the spirit of python, be sure to repent of any legal hold or lies you believed. We give this spirit power at times through legal right and open doors in our lives and ministry.
When Little Python Grows Up
Paul was an apostle well experienced in spiritual warfare. Anyone in pursuit of their destiny will encounter various levels of spiritual battle. What did your battle feel like? What did it look like? What were the after-effects of the war? Remember that a battlefield is a place that effects change. Things are shifted. Landscapes are altered. Reformation takes place and modifications are sometimes made. Paul encountered a spirit of divination in Acts 16:16. This spirit is translated as the spirit of python. Let's take a look at some principles of this subtle spirit.
1. PYTHONS ARE NOT SO DANGEROUS WHEN THEY ARE SMALL.
Actually, pythons are non-poisonous and are often pets. Just because you have discerned a "little" spirit at work, doesn't mean it won't grow up. Never think that any demonic spirit can ever be your "pet."
Jesus said, "The prince of this world cometh and hath NOTHING in me." Be aware that just as God plants seeds and not trees, even so the enemy plants "little" foxes to spoil the vines of ministry. Be aware that spiritual skirmishes can turn into full-scale spiritual battlefields. A little python can become a big python. Don't ever trust a "snake" in your ministry, even if it's a small one.
2. PYTHON'S POWER IS IN ITS ABILITY TO CONSTRICT.
Constrict means to squeeze, to limit, to tighten, to apply pressure. Do you sense this happening in your ministry? Are you being "squeezed" by a spirit? Has the enemy tried to "limit" your ability to progress in your vision? Is something or someone being used that is "applying pressure"? The only press we should feel is forward progression by the Spirit of God. Never should we be "pressured" by the enemy to make a wrong move. Don't let this python spirit gain strength. The Delilah-like spirit is one that always presses a Samson-like minister. Judges 16:16..."And it came to pass when she pressed him daily...."
3. PYTHONS SUFFOCATE AND CRUSH THEIR VICTIMS.
Spiritual asphyxiation transpires when python grows and is able to have the strength to overcome its victims. With their strength, pythons are able to, not only suffocate, but to crush, even to the death.
Are you being overwhelmed by this spirit? Is your ministry under such an intense attack that you sense the "breath of God: is being snuffed out of your life? Are you in a time of spiritual crushing, brought about by the spirit of python? Satan is clearly referred to as a dragon that has the power to take one's breath. (Rev. 12) The wind of the Spirit is blowing in the Body of Christ. Just as on the day of Pentecost, a rushing wind is filling the Church. This wind (Ruach) will bring cleansing and refreshing. No wonder this spirit of python is set to destruction against the leadership.
This spirit must be defeated, its head must be cut off, and victory must be declared! Recognize it. Don't pet it. Don't feed it. Don't let it grow. Kill it!
I have sought and obtained permission from www.demonbuster.com to include their research in this topic. I appreciate their support and their ministry, and I hope that this will be an eye-opener for you. Suspect a python spirit whenever you see someone become like “stone” while you are attempting to do deliverance on them. When the person knows the Word of God, but cannot apply it to the very thing that is keeping them captive. This works in conjunction with other spirits. Personally, I think it is also a condition of the spirit, much like the spirit of Stupor. In many ways they are similar.
From Demonbuster.com:
A demon called PYTHON is linked to PRIDE and CONTROL.(LEVIATHAN) It wraps around its victim, keeping the victim from doing the things they should do. Read below the origin of PYTHON and why it is such a tough demon.
Python - gr. Pytho, the older name for delphi.
A genus of very large, nonpoisonous snakes of burma, indo-china, etc. That crush their prey to death, the typical genus of the family pythonidae.
In classic mythology, a monster serpent inhabiting the caves of parnassus and preying upon the people of delphi and their flocks; it was slain by apollo. Any large snake that crushes its prey, as the boa. Any snake of the genus python or of the family pythonidae. Pythonidae - a family of peropod snakes, having intermaxillary teeth and rudimentary hind limbs; the rock snakes.
Pythonoidea - a division of large nonvenomous peropod snakes, having rudimentary hind limbs but no pelvis, including the families boidae, charinidae, and pythonoidae.
Pythoness - the priestess of the delphic oracle. Any woman supposed to be possessed of the spirit of prophecy; a witch; familiar spirit.
Pythonism - divination, divining, augury, pythonism; soothsaying, soothsay, hariolation; fortunetelling, crystalgazing; crystal ball; astrology; sorcery; clairvoyance.
Prophet - prophesier, predictor, forecaster, foreteller, prognosticator, seer, foreseer, foreknower, augur, presager, diviner, divinator, soothsayer, vates, psychic; prophetess, seeress, divineress; python, pythoness; cassandra; sphinx; druid; fortuneteller, crystal-gazer; palmist; geomancer; haruspice, haruspex, extispes; astrologer; weather prophet; tiresias, the blind the ban; religious prophets.
Pythogenesis - generation from or because of filth. A soothsayer or soothsaying spirit; from the tradition that the python delivered oracles at delphi; ventriloquist.
Pythian - relating to delphi, to apollo's temple there, its oracle, or priestess. Relating to the pythian games. A native or inhabitant of delphi, specifically, the priestess of apollo. An epithet of the delphic apollo.
(mythology) python - a legend of the greek god apollo says he avenged his mother, leto, by killing the dragon python because it had persecuted her.
Python - a snake of the family pythonidae, and more especially any one of the species of the genus python. The snakes of this genus are large, and its various species are found throughout the tropics of the old world. The snakes of the python family are distinguished from the boas with which they are often confused, by the presence of the supraorbital bone in the skull. As in the boas, vestiges of the hind limbs are present, visible externally as a pair of claws adjacent to the anal cleft. The teeth are strong and adapted for catching and holding the prey. There is no venom or venom-conducting apparatus. Killing of the prey is effected by constriction; one or more coils of the body are thrown around the victim, following up the stroke of the head, and pressure is applied by the powerful body muscles. The pressure exerted by a large python must be terrific. The prey is killed, however, by suffocation rather than by any actual crushing of the ribs. During the swallowing process much saliva is secreted, and should the prey be disgorged, as may happen if the snake is disturbed, it will be found to be covered with this secretion.
This evidently accounts for the fable that pythons cover their prey with saliva before swallowing it. There can be no doubt that large pythons are strong enough to kill an animal the size of an ox, but stories of their killing and eating cattle and horses are not to be credited. The prey is swallowed whole, and though the mouth is greatly distensible, it cannot be stretched beyond the caliber of a moderate-sized pig. Authentic accounts of attacks on man are extremely few. Most pythons are partly arboreal and are likely also to be found in the vicinity of water, in which they lie and soak. Reproduction is by means of leathery shelled oval eggs, of which there may be a hundred or more in a clutch. The eggs are laid in a heap and are guarded and incubated by the mother, who coils herself around them, and who is known from observation in zoological gardens to have a higher body temperature than the surrounding air while so occupied. The largest species is the reticulated python (python reticulatus) of the malay region, which occasionally reaches a length of 30 feet.
The indian python (p. Molurus) is frequently seen in zoological gardens, as is the african rock python (p. Sebae). Other members of the python family include the remarkable arboreal green python of new guinea (chondropython viridis and various other australasian types. Two species (loxocemus) inhabit western Mexico, as the only American members of the family.
Python - a huge serpent, nameless and female in the earliest account (homer) which was killed by apollo at delphi (older name pytho), either because it would not let him come near the oracle, it used itself to give oracles, or because it persecuted his mother leto during her pregnancy. It is generally said to be the child of earth, and in all probability is to be connected with the reliable tradition that there was an oracle of earth at delphi before apollo came. In hellenistic belief, a python was a spirit which possessed certain persons and prophesied unknown to them through their mouths.
(encyclopedia britannica)
Serpent: 5175 from 5172; a snake from its hiss, a serpent; a hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; gen. To prognosticate; certainly, divine, enchanter, enchantment, learn by experience, indeed, diligently observe.
Cast this demon out in the name of Jesus and experience much freedom from his clutches. Many preachers have PYTHON.
