Risky Business

September 26

(Acts 19:13-16 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 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 I know about Paul, 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.”

(Jude 1:8-9 NIV) ““In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. {9} But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!””

Mouthing off to demonic spirits is risky business, as the seven sons of Sceva discovered in dramatic fashion. These “wannabe” miracle workers hadn’t been called by God -- they had called themselves. They presumed upon the power of God. They threw the name of Jesus around like a cheap trinket to impress people, but they did not have God’s blessing, nor were they filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The spirits do not fear boastful people who loudly claim authority over them. They do not fear those who know about Jesus and who spout his name like it was some kind of magical incantation. Never underestimate the power of our enemy. Even the angels know better than to go around mouthing off to demonic spirits. Who the demons really fear is the humble servant of Jesus Christ -- the disciple who is full of God’s Spirit, not full of themselves. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day