KNOW THYSELF 9 – But Who Are You?
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Acts 19:13-17 (KJV) The above story was quite an embarrassing moment for the family. Handkerchiefs from the Apostle Paul had just been used to heal the sick and oppressed in verses 11 and 12 and amongst the many which the scriptures called “vagabond news” attempting to cast out demons in the name of a third party Jesus. It’s so shameful to me that in a family seven young men will rise into spiritual battles they had no authority or audacity for. Kindly note that they had great credentials but no essentials. They were Jews (vagabond, yes, but Jews all the same. They were seven in number symbolic of the perfect number. They were sons ofthe Chief Priest They knew of Paul’s processes They used the name of Jesus. All these credentials were not the essentials. They knew Jesus through a third-person’s revelation. To garner spiritual strength and stamina to defeat demonic forces, we must know God for ourselves. Unfortunately, the Church is daily getting filled with folks who are excellent in quoting their pastors and bishops but have little or no depth in God themselves. A bunch of big fat babies. Lord have mercy! It has become imperative that we grasp a personal knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus so we can always overcome at the battle gates. These boys had no answer to the question posed by the demon spirit; “but who are you?”, so they got beaten, chased out and naked. I am always feeling sick of saints who give little attention to the word of God and just love to chase prophecies and miracles. Check out our congregations today. A prayer meeting or miracle service will be packed full but Bible Study often have scanty attendance. Friends, you are what you know of yourself. It is through the insight of God’s Word that we understand Christ and thereby understand ourselves. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 (KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:17 (KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:10 (KJV) Don’t repeat Paul’s words without his revelation. Don’t use Christ’s name without abiding in Him. Know Him for yourself. The Lord is my Shepherd, like the Psalmist said (not our shepherd). Pursue hard after God’s Word and know who you are in Christ so you could accurately respond when satan comes asking, “but who are you?” Shalom!
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