Does The Devil Know Your
Name
Acts 19:13-15 “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the Name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demonized. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all.
A Christian who is not a true
disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ has about as much impact on Satan’s domain as
a gnat on the buttox of an elephant. It is so insignificant that it isn’t even
a consideration. A true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is one who has committed himself to be a
student of his heavenly Master, and has given up his rights to his own life to
follow his Mentor/Teacher. He is one who has aligned himself with the causes of
the kingdom of God. He is in class everyday being taught of God, coming into
greater fellowship and understanding of his Teacher.
The apostle Paul was such a
disciple. He didn’t just go to church. He was a kingdom builder. He was
actively involved in kingdom business attacking satanic strongholds with the
power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He counted the cost of discipleship and
paid it. As a true disciple he was empowered with the Holy Spirit and took
authority over the enemy. Wherever he went Satan trembled because he knew Paul
was a kingdom minded Christian with kingdom power. Paul didn’t minister with
enticing words of human wisdom, but with demonstration of the power of the Holy
Spirit. Demons were popping out of people like popcorn, and souls were being
saved.
Most professing believers are
“church goers,” not kingdom-minded people. They are the “What’s in it for me
crowd?” they chase the “Big Show.” Their clarion call is “Entertain us, make us
feel good.” They are church hoppers, gossips, carnal, complainers, self seeking
and serving, ignorant and inept in the spirit.
They come to church, but when it comes to impacting the kingdom of Satan
they are the proverbial gnats on the elephant. They don’t even achieve
consideration status. Satan is amused with their ignorance and impotence. They
live most of their lives in a prison with no locks or guards. If they should
dare to confront the enemy, he will send them away bleeding, and running for
their lives back to the nice safe bubble of “Church”. They will continue to
proclaim and sing the power of God, but their focus will be on the big show of
church and their own interests.
God is waiting for “His true
Church” to operate in her position in the heavenlies. She is seated with Christ
above all principality and powers of the enemy. She has been told to occupy
herself with the business of the King until he returns. She has been given the
Holy Spirit and has been promised the gates of hell will not prevail against
her. She should be a terror to Satan by going into all the world proclaiming
the gospel, and delivering people from bondage with the truth and power of God.
God’s true people can play it safe
by playing church, or align themselves to the heart of God and advance His
kingdom in the world. The bottom line is this, “Does the devil know your name?”