Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and Friday with a Scripture
reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through
the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced
Track.Reading: Acts 19:11-17
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. 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 I know about Paul, 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. 17 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.
Application:
The story recorded in Acts 19:11-21 is one of the most fascinating, humorous, and peculiar stories in all of Acts. Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts on this passage. In sharing my thoughts and application ideas, I think it will be helpful to break it up into two parts. The first part is verses 11-17.
When I read this story, I am reminded of another story in Acts 8. There was a man named Simon the Sorcerer. He boasted that he was someone great and had gained the attention and admiration of people. However, when Jesus’ followers came to town, the people witnessed God’s power working through him in ways that far surpassed any power they had ever seen before. Simon wanted a piece of the action. He asked how he could buy this power. Peter rebuked him for thinking that he could buy what comes as a gift from God and be part of God’s work with the wrong motives.
I see a similar thing happening here. The sons of Sceva thought they could just use the name of Jesus for their own purposes and for their own advantage. Their plan backfired, and they got a whooping from the evil spirits they were trying to cast out.
Two application ideas come to mind as I reflect on this passage:
1) Make sure that I am not trying to use God’s power for my purpose or advantage, but rather allow God to use my life to advance his purpose and kingdom.
2) Realize I cannot battle the devil and his evil spirits by my own power or strategies. They are stronger than me. I need the power of God living in me to be victorious. That comes through a genuine, living relationship with Jesus. That comes from putting on the full ARMOR of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Share your comments and application ideas…
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