The seven sons of Sceva (1)

The Bible says, “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and…they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (vv. 11-17 NKJV). This story should act as a warning to those who think, “If they can do something, I can do it!” Not so. Unless God calls and equips you to do it, the chances are that you’ll fall flat on your face! God doesn’t empower you to do your own thing; He empowers you to do His thing! The truth is, you can only use the name of Jesus effectively: (a) When you acknowledge Him as your Savior and Lord. (b) When you have an intimate relationship with Him. (c) When you stand on His Word and practice its principles in your everyday life. When you do that, every time you use the name of Jesus, you’re protected and indemnified by the authority that’s in His name.