Acts 19:11-16 – 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
What was the power behind the handkerchiefs and aprons? It was pure faith in the name of the Lord Jesus. They knew Paul was totally full of the Holy Spirit. Who was Paul spreading the Good News about? Jesus. The power comes from Jesus and our obedience and faith into His Kingdom.
13 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 the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 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.
You see some of the Jews thought they would get cute and test some things. They saw Paul driving out demons in the name of Jesus and were amazed. They tried it themselves and sure enough it worked. It was like a new toy. What happened though? They found out it’s not a game at all!
“Jesus I know, Paul I know about, but who are you?”
No authority. Demons can pay attention and see what’s going on even if you are spiritually blind and cannot. Kind of reminds me of the person that goes around threatening people around them because he tells them he’s connected to the mob, but when some check into it and find out he’s not, bad things will be happening when he finally gets challenged.
The real power behind the name of Jesus comes from the Holy Spirit filled believer. Jesus comes into us and demons shutter. Why? It’s not us. It’s the Victorious King of Kings.
We are in a war right now. Seventy Five percent of humans today have no idea of how powerful there Lord is. Prayer is not a give me tool. When done in faith and in God’s will it is ultra powerful. Turning your life over to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to run through you makes evil tremble. More than you’ll ever know.
Turn away from yourself and turn into a warrior for God. Become the salt and the light of the world.