This morning as I reflected back on the message, I could not get the words of the 'evil spirit' out of my mind, "but the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? (v 15, ESV). How did the evil spirit "know" specifically Paul and Jesus? Because both Paul and Jesus had certain things in common that the sons of Scheva did not. One,they encountered evil on a continuous basis! (WOW! God's been talking to me.)
For example,
1. Jesus was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13)-EVIL!
2. Jesus was rejected by his people (Luke 4:23-28)-EVIL!
3. Jesus was kissed them betrayed by his friend (Luke:47-48)-EVIL!
4. Paul was forceed out of the city for preaching Jesus (Acts13.50)-EVIL!
5. Paul & Barnabas were stoned for preaching Jesus (Acts 14:5)-EVIL!
6. Paul & Silas were beaten and jailed for teaching Jesus (Acts 16:19-30)-EVIL!
Another commonality between Paul and Jesus was "they were filled with the Holy Spirit" (see Luke 4:1 and Acts 13:2,4,19). So for the sons of Scheva to be so bold as to think that they were powerful enough to "call out" a evil spirit and yet not allow the Holy Spirit to "send them" was a very arrogant act.
But I can't judge the sons of Scheva, I too have thought I could claim the power that Jesus had over evil, but not have His power take authority over the evil in my life. We think as long as we are Christians, evil will not touch us. Not so! The truth is because we are Christians "evil is ever present." We have to know that only through the power of the Holy Spirit can evil be defeated. Evil will stand in our faces and make a mockery of our power like it did the sons of Scheva. They enemy knows who the counterfeit believers are. My advice is, don't let evil make a fool out of us!
Dear God, Only through your son Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can we overcome evil. Give us faith so as to allow Jesus to rule our lives, so when evil comes, it won't make a mockery of our power. In Jesus Name, Amen
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