“Who are you?”
Scripture reading for May 30: Acts 19
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the Name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that he fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Acts 19:11-16
Everyone likes miracles and Paul the Apostle was used by God in ‘extraordinary’ miracles. Pieces of cloth or handkerchiefs that Paul had kept on his body were sent to the sick and demon possessed and they were made well and cleansed. Some Jewish exorcists observed Paul in action and the disciples that worked with him. They thought that they would just adopt and imitate the formula that he was using so successfully. They carefully used the words, “In the Name of Jesus” but added for clarification “Whom Paul proclaims.” The results were disastrous! The demon in the one they sought to deliver took on all seven of these exorcists and beat them up!
To add insult to injury, the demon spoke to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” That is a penetrating question that begs for an answer. When we try to imitate Jesus or other believers without true faith, we cannot get results. In fact, we may be shown up for the frauds we really are. If we are to be truly used in healing and deliverance, we must know Jesus Christ personally and have the seal of the Holy Spirit declaring we are God’s child. Demon spirits recognize true faith and those marked by God’s Spirit. There is no way we can fake spiritual authority effectively.
How does this record of Scripture help you to understand how spiritual authority operates? How did the evil spirit recognize Paul and Jesus? What was lacking in these Jewish exorcists? Could you face a demonic force with confidence in Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Like the apostles of old, I want to be used by You to bring Good News to those who are hurting and demon possessed or oppressed. Do miracles through me as You have promised in Your Word. Amen.
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