But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Acts 19:13-15
SAFE. It is the quality of life that we all seek from God, so we pray, “Lord keep me safe”. We come to Jesus seeking safety from our sin eternally and He certainly provides that safety – “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. But of course we seek more safety than this. We want God to keep us safe from all harm – financial ruin, sickness, depression, and all the harm that others do to us. Of course we don’t want God to forget the harm of the Devil and any other thing that may hurt us. How often do we pray, “God keep us safe…”? This is certainly not a bad prayer.
But sometimes I want more. There is another side of me that cries out to be a conqueror in this life and I remember that John said we would be “more than conquerors”. Some days I long not to just be safe from the Devil and all of Life’s assaults, but to beat them. I want to experience those moments when I “resist the Devil and He flees from me”.
Like the story above when the demon rails against these sons of Sceva because they are spiritual frauds who see spiritual life and warfare as a game. What a statement when the evil spirit says, “I know about Paul”. Wow! Paul had lived in such a manner that evil spirits who had apparently never seen him, had heard about him. Can you imagine living in such a manner that demons would whisper about you in their break room?
Well you don’t get that by only seeking the safety of God. You must also walk with a warrior’s heart, ready to fight. Don’t be fooled, fighting is not some verbal shouting match with Satan where you spit formulas at him. True warfare begins when we walk in obedience to the Word of God, seek Him daily, not nearly as much for safety but for power, and live boldly without compromise in an evil world. Remember, God did not call you to Himself so that you could hide. We are to put on His armor and… war.
No one may ever hear of you in the next city, but wouldn’t it be great to someday discover that your name had been scrawled in derision all over the walls of hell? For that you will have to value a new quality of life. DANGER.
How about this prayer – “Lord, make me dangerous.”
God, keep me strong when Satan enters my thoughts – help me to win that battle.
God help me to recognize when Satan enters a friend or loved ones thoughts or lives and tries to lead them onto that wide path – give me your armor because I will fight.
God, give me the courage to reach out to others to help me concur Satan when I am not strong enough.
We all face these battles and so do our friends and loved ones. We need to ask God to always help us to recognize when this happens and never foresake them.
I know this is easier said than done, but it should always be our prayer.
I have always known and accepted that the devil and his demons respond to God’s authority in christians. When we tell him to go in the name of Jesus , he has to go. I always thought that when a christian speaks to satan or a demon that they only hear and recognise God’s voice. This was a real eye opener for me, to know that they can know my name. It’s neat to know that if God’s power is in us that our enemies must know us better. They can’t help but find out what type of threat we pose. The more we exercise that power the more our enemy must know us.
I am so thankful that we have the “Full Armor of God”
I love the way you said it, True warfare begins when we walk in obedience to the word of God, seek Him daily,not nearly as much for safety but for power,and live boldly without compromise in an evil world.
Thanks for challenging me to live out a “dangerous safety”
Thanks for helping me see something new today!!!!!!!!!!
All the forces of darkness just stumbled and bumped their head… All the forces of darkness just trembled at what I just read!!! I have just put on the armor that he supplied, and I feel STRONG IN SPIRIT!!! I’d be honored to go into battle under his command with you guys at anytime. This body is experienced in conquering the evil that has been set against it in this life!
Oh! Brad,
I think somewhere in this world while I was on the road to hell. Yeah! a bathroom in Ohio I wrote “Chris Was Here”…
Key word “WAS”!!!
“Can you imagine living in such a manner that demons would whisper about you in their break room?” Hmmm…what an interesting mental picture. Like the post!
on the lighter side…
Hey…your blog looks boring!
love u!
on the darker side….
Hey your blog is selling like rice cakes in the desert!
love you like a red headed step child!
demons would whisper about you in their break room?…I think I used to work there…
I have to admit that I am a complete weenie, but knowing that even Weenies like me have authority through Christ over our enemy is invogorating. I don’t know that I’m ready to live dangerously, but I can at least crawl out from under the bed.
Strange isn,t it that the the Jewish exorsists used the name of Jesus,whom they crucified because they didn’t want to let go of their power that was Gods (what arrogance)Know that’s not your point Brad, but do you think that raging against a separatist, segregated, arrogant, judgmental, hypocritical, machine might get get the boys in Sheol talking. Yeah I do to Brad, so lets rumble.
Love ya brother