Episode 56: Don’t Play with Fire
Often, we don’t see the dangerous things around us because we’re so used to just accepting them. There’s power in the things we do, say, believe and accept! Things like seances, Ouija boards, fortunetelling, and astrology may seem innocent, but there’s power behind the practices we wink at and allow.
Ephesus was a city filled with occult practices, as well as false gods. The Apostle Paul was preaching there daily, and God was blessing his word and works so that everyone in the Turkish province of Asia Minor heard the Gospel message. During this time, the scriptures say he did “extraordinary” miracles for the Lord. People were being healed simply by brushing against handkerchiefs and aprons touched by him. It was truly miraculous!
In Acts 19:13-20 we see a funny story where seven sons of a chief priest (Scheva) were traveling around, collecting money, to cast out demons from desperate people. One day these “fake healers” went to a man possessed by a demon, and the demon said, “I know Jesus and I know Paul…but who are you?” The demons jumped on the men and beat them up, leaving them naked and badly injured.
Author Peter Scazzero says, “They did not have sufficient strength in their life with God to support the spiritual warfare in which they were engaged.”
Here are three ways to make sure you have the spiritual strength to match the battle:
1. Allow the truth and power of a REAL relationship with Jesus to be key in your life. It’s only then you’ll have the strength and authority to win against evil. If you’re dabbling with the occult—and a little Jesus too—you must forsake anything blocking your complete commitment to Christ.
2. Demons recognize valid authority! It was the authority of the name of Jesus, not just chanting His name, that brings the power. Demons must flee when the authority of Christ is called upon to cover a situation.
3. It’s not about a formula. These men thought they could recite a chant and power would come. Without a real knowledge and love for Jesus, formulas and chants won’t ever work.
Scripture says the entire city was impacted by the words of Paul, and they gathered to burn their chants, books, and charms in a public bonfire. The whole region was stirred by their message of faith.
Gutsy Faith Challenge:
Take an honest inventory of your life. Have you allowed or participated in things that are spiritually dangerous or don’t honor God? What’s your spiritual diet? What do you digest and how does it affect your spiritual health?
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