“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.” (Acts 19:13-18)
Not long ago I heard my pastor tell of a few stories about some attacks he had experienced during the past 30 years of his ministry. In one instance the devil called him by his name as he tried to intimidate the man of God. I know we do not talk much about spiritual darkness this day in time but we’d better wake up and smell the coffee because it is very much there. YOU DO HAVE AN ENEMY, HE IS REAL, AND HE PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR! He is the one that is fighting your very soul! He is the one who is trying to split your marriage! He is the one who is trying to bring division within the body of Christ! He is the one who is trying to distort the word of the living God! He is the one who is trying to lead your children astray! He is the one in the church who is masquerading as an angel (minister) of light (word of God)! Oh yes, it is out there! Well aren’t you giving the enemy glory talking about this? As I heard a wonderful man of God say once, “You first must know your enemy before you can defeat or fight him!”
If there were wanted posters in hell would your name and picture be found amongst them? There is no doubt my pastor has experienced these things because of the great threat he is to the kingdom of darkness but what about you and I? Does the enemy fear the man or woman that only whispers the name of Jesus over coffee each day? Does the enemy fear the person who spends a little time with Jesus here and there? Does he know and fear the one who is half- hearted and only obedient when it is convenient? Or does hell tremble when your eyes pop open in the morning because of the “hell” you will bring in the name of Jesus this day!
We read in the above passage about some men who were “toying around” with the name of Jesus provoking a demon-spirit. One day when the evil spirit had enough he answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” After beating them severely the men ran away like whipped puppy dogs. When darkness comes our way you and I better know Jesus Christ! He had better be Lord in our hearts!
The Bible says we are “hidden in Christ.” It isn’t us obviously the enemy is afraid of but the Christ that is living within us whom he (the enemy) greatly believes and trembles! He fears the one who knows how to understand and obey the word of God. He fears the one who realizes the power he has in the name of Jesus! He fears the one who will submit no matter what to Jesus Christ! He who is faithful! He who is obedient!
I encourage you to get to know Christ today! With everything that is within you get to know him! Live and obey the word of the living God no matter what! Yes you will experience attacks! Yes darkness will come at you! But be encouraged my brothers and sisters “greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world”. Take heart, you and I are “more than conquerors” in Christ Jesus! We will have the victory! His name be praised!
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