Truth Saves

Acts 19:13-20 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.” 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. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.  20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
 
IT was not uncommon for Jewish priests to pray to free people from demon possession. But they committed two deadly sins: First, they had not confessed and believed Jesus is the risen Christ. And second, they commanded the demons in the name of Jesus and of Paul. Without faith in God, there is no power from God. There is no power in a mere man to do God’s work.
   Jesus warned the Jews about such false teachings: Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Speaking in Jesus’ name without faith and conviction in our risen Lord condemns one to hell.
   The Spirit wanted to teach the Ephesians Jesus’ warning: Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Many suddenly understood they needed a true faith in Jesus. Simply saying his name pointed to destruction.
   Believers, who had confessed Jesus, repented. They admitted they had not fully released idol worship and desires that limited a more complete relationship with Jesus. This was a sanctifying process for the believers. We all must cast aside the old to more completely grasp Jesus’ grace. People who practiced sorcery confessed Jesus. They burned documents equivalent to 150 men’s wages for one year.
            We must understand this battle is all around us. Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13 NIV) because the devil continually attacks. As a believer, Satan and his demons cannot reside in you. But they can influence you away from Jesus. Be alert. Know the Spirit is your power to defeat and dismiss any evil from your life.