…some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits…Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this…
Acts 19:11-20
God was doing mighty works in Ephesus through the Apostle Paul, so much so that even articles of Paul’s clothing were being used to heal the sick and even to drive out demons possessing people. Some travelling Jewish exorcists, seven of whom were sons of a high priest, named Sceva, tried using Jesus’ name “whom Paul proclaims,” they said, and were accosted by the demons possessing the man they were trying to help. The seven sons were beaten and stripped of their clothing by the demon(s) possessing the man, causing the sons of Sceva to run for fear of their lives. Spirit beings are given power by God Almighty and their power is far greater than the power God has given man. Jesus dealt successfully with Satan and the demons in His earthly ministry. Even the Apostles were able to deal with demons in humans but, this incident tells us that it is dangerous to try to deal with demons by just using the name of Jesus. This incident became known throughout the community and both Jews and Greeks feared and exalted the name of Jesus. Many “Christians,” who had been practicing magic arts and reading books on the occult, were convicted of their sins and confessed them and brought their reading material and practice utensils to be burned together in the city square. The value of their material destroyed was 50,000 pieces of silver, no small amount in that day. So, the works of the Lord increased and prevailed mightily in Ephesus. There are many so called Christians today who consult an astrological chart each day or “play” with a Ouija board to determine what the future may hold or what business decision would be “best” for them to make today. Such activities are from the pit of Hell. Christians should not be named among those who practice such evil. It is bad enough that Christians are sinners, saved by God’s grace, but, to practice such evil, also, only points to the unregenerate nature of these so called Christians. It is no “small” sin to do evil in the sight of our Savior and Lord.
Source: S C Ball July 25, 2023
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