Today’s Devotion
Topic: But You, Who Are You?
Text: Acts 19: 11- 20
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
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 the 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 Paul I know about, 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.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honour. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in POWER. AMEN
Everyone born of God has an identity in the spiritual realm. Talking about those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour. They are immediately recognised as a people who belong to God; children of light and not darkness.
The blood of Jesus protects them and the fire of God hedges all over them as well. The Holy Spirit lives in them to lead, guide, enable and protect. Their place as heirs of the Father and joint heirs with the Son, is a place of authority, because Jesus has given that authority to them. He said:
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16: 17- 18)
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16: 19) – interceding and advocating for us. NOW THAT IS WHY WE SEE SO MANY MIRACLES HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES EVERYDAY. THAT IS WHY DEMONS TREMBLE AND OBEY WHEN WE COMMAND THEM OUT IN JESUS NAME.
But you, who are you? Are you like one of the seven sons of Sceva who assumed they had a relationship with Jesus because their father was the chief priest and also because they have observed Paul and the other believers for a long time and therefore felt they could do same for fame? Do not make that mistake; seek and cultivate a relationship with our Lord Jesus and have Him lead your life. It is in Him we live, move and have our being.
Those who dwell in Him automatically have an identity. Any floating demon at all can tell who you are and wouldn’t dare. You remember how the man with a legion demons approached while the demons in him spoke to Jesus saying, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matt 8: 19)
What is your identity in the spiritual realm? Are you known as one who is in Christ or a lukewarm and a hypocrite? Begin to pray now. Ask the Lord Jesus into your life with His Holy Spirit to help you grow in Him. Obey His Word and live for righteousness. Miracles, signs and wonders will begin to manifest through you.
No demon from hell will ever ask who you are, because they know and also know that their doom has come if they attempt to mess with you. You are the ambassador of Christ on earth. Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, what you loose on earth is loosed in Heaven. Whatsoever you ask in the name of Jesus shall be given to you. What a wonderful blessing this is? The best heritage and identity to have; and Heaven, the best kingdom to belong to.
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