Acts chapter 19 verses 13 – 15 (NIV)
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 the 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 Paul I know about, but who are you?”
The thing that struck me about these verses is that I think they highlight the difference between knowing about Jesus, and knowing Him in a real and life changing way. We’re told that people would go around trying to invoke the name of Jesus, as though doing so was some kind of magic formula. But that’s not the way, and we see that the demons weren’t fooled. We need to come to the place where we are not just going through the motions of Christian living, but are in such a place of knowledge and intimacy with the Lord that we are able to recognise and respond to the merest nudge from the Holy Spirit, because we know His leading. God knows our name and everything about us, but the amazing thing is He wants us to know Him too.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You call us by Name. May I respond as Jesus taught, when He said “my sheep know my voice.” I want to do as You tell me to, not what I think You want, and certainly not for appearances. Thank You for knowing me better than I know myself. Amen.