Date: Sunday, 23rd June, 2024
Text: Acts 19:11-16
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Recently we concluded that there are demons behind the activities of germs, infections and negative medical conditions. We also said that believers in Christ have the authority to cast them out.
It is worthy of note that demons know those who are in Christ and those who are not; therefore, they don’t just obey commands from just anybody.
According to today’s text, God was performing unusual miracles through Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons he had used were taken to the sick, and their diseases were driven away, and the evil spirits would go out of them. Some Jews who traveled around and drove out evil spirits also tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to do this. They said to the evil spirits, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.”
Seven brothers, who were the sons of a Jewish High Priest named Sceva, were doing this. But the evil spirit said to them, “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul; but you—who are you?” The man who had the evil spirit in him attacked them with such violence that he overpowered them all. They ran away from his house, wounded and with their clothes torn off- Acts 19:11-16.
Before demons can submit to you, you must have submitted to Christ. The word of God says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:8.7
Key Nugget: Before demons can submit to you, you must have submitted to Christ.