It's Who Knows You!

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:13-16
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 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.

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The seven sons of Sceva are doing (or trying to do) good work. They are going around casting out demons "in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches". They were obviously intrigued by Paul's teaching and with the spiritual power he exuded but for some reason had failed to become disciples who had their own relationship with God. Even so, apparently they had some success with doing this until they came to a man who had several demons in him. The demons declare that they know Jesus and they know Paul, but they don't know these seven sons and they refuse to obey their command to leave. Instead, they wallop these men so severely that they run off bleeding and naked. This is a great example of how we cannot have a vicarious relationship with God. We cannot live and grow spiritually off of another person's God-connection. We must engage with him ourselves. There is an old proverb that says, "It's not what you know, it's who you know". While there is some truth to that statement when it comes to conducting business or getting a foot in the door for opportunities, it does not apply in spiritual matters. When it comes to God, it's not who we know, it's who knows us! Even Jesus said it was possible for people to know who he was and to even do miracles in his name but who will not have a relationship with him. When they stand before him in heaven, he will say to them, "Depart from me; I never knew you" (Matt. 7:21-23). These words should give us pause and cause us to engage in sober thinking. I believe that it is vital that I know God, but it is even more vital that God knows me. I want to know him so well that I become known even to demons as a mighty servant of God. Do demons know your name because of Who knows you?

PRAYER: Father, I long to know you more and more. But I also want you to know me more and more. May demons tremble because I know the One who can make them submit to His will! May the Church be full of believers whose identity is established in you, Lord! This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.