Do Not Be Like These People 3
7 Sons of Sceva
"Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, “I order you to come out in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
But the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” Then the man possessed by the evil spirit attacked them. He beat them up so badly that they ran out of that house naked and wounded." Acts 19:13-16
Continuing on this series which is about putting a name or a face to people who we should not be like.
In the story above, Paul who was in Ephesus was doing tremendous work in the Name of Jesus and is spreading the Gospel to both Jews and Greeks.
Then along came the sons of Sceva who most probably made a living as some kind of old school Ghostbusters or exorcists. So seeing what Paul was doing in their midst, they decided to imitate him by trying to use the Name of Jesus in their trade.
They invoked Paul's name because they do not really understand how all these Jesus miracles were about. So basically they tried to imitate Paul hoping to get the same success he had.
But guess what, we should never really dabble in things we do not fully understand, particularly when it involves the spiritual realm. This includes invoking, communicating to and trying to cast out spirits.
If the Holy Spirit is not leading you into any of these acts, it bodes well for you to heed the story of the unwise Sceva brothers.
Nothing good will come out of these activities, particularly for you, although Scriptures do tell us that all good things work together for good to those who love God. And how do you do that? Allow God to love you first, learn about Him, receive His love, find out what He did for you, talk to Him constantly, give Him praise. The same love you receive will then overpower you and overflow and you can love Him back, along with yourself and others who are often like you, unlovable most of the times. Then, like with Paul, all these miracles will just come supernaturally and not by your own effort or power or genius.
Remember, God is God, He isn't the one who needs help, you do. Follow His leading and not yours, and you should be fine
"Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, “I order you to come out in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
But the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” Then the man possessed by the evil spirit attacked them. He beat them up so badly that they ran out of that house naked and wounded." Acts 19:13-16
Continuing on this series which is about putting a name or a face to people who we should not be like.
In the story above, Paul who was in Ephesus was doing tremendous work in the Name of Jesus and is spreading the Gospel to both Jews and Greeks.
Then along came the sons of Sceva who most probably made a living as some kind of old school Ghostbusters or exorcists. So seeing what Paul was doing in their midst, they decided to imitate him by trying to use the Name of Jesus in their trade.
They invoked Paul's name because they do not really understand how all these Jesus miracles were about. So basically they tried to imitate Paul hoping to get the same success he had.
But guess what, we should never really dabble in things we do not fully understand, particularly when it involves the spiritual realm. This includes invoking, communicating to and trying to cast out spirits.
If the Holy Spirit is not leading you into any of these acts, it bodes well for you to heed the story of the unwise Sceva brothers.
Nothing good will come out of these activities, particularly for you, although Scriptures do tell us that all good things work together for good to those who love God. And how do you do that? Allow God to love you first, learn about Him, receive His love, find out what He did for you, talk to Him constantly, give Him praise. The same love you receive will then overpower you and overflow and you can love Him back, along with yourself and others who are often like you, unlovable most of the times. Then, like with Paul, all these miracles will just come supernaturally and not by your own effort or power or genius.
Remember, God is God, He isn't the one who needs help, you do. Follow His leading and not yours, and you should be fine
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