2021-10-23
1 John 4:4 KJV
From the seven sons of Sceva we learn two very important things: (1) Satan knows who you are. The demons in this man spoke to the sons of Sceva, saying, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15 NKJV). Question: Do you have the kind of relationship with God that causes Satan to know your name, and acknowledge that you’re a force to be reckoned with? When God asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant, Job?” he replied, “Yes, and every time I come up against him I hit a force field I can’t penetrate” (Job 1:8-12 paraphrased). Maybe you’re preoccupied with your own inadequacy, thinking you’re not up to the job, or you’re not good enough. Understand this: it’s not you the enemy’s afraid of – it’s God’s Spirit within you!
(2) When “the evil day” comes, you discover if you have what it takes. Paul said, “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13 NKJV). The demons in the man recognized the weaknesses in the seven sons of Sceva and stripped them of their pretense. You will only survive if your faith is genuine, because one day you’ll have to walk with God when you can’t understand or explain where He’s taking you. Your techniques and talents won’t get you through. You’re going to have to stand on His Word when it doesn’t look like it’s working for you. That’s when you discover it’s “‘not by might nor…power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV).
Soul food: Zeph 1-3; John 6:1-24; Ps 85; Prov 24:11-14
1 Johannes 4:4 NLV
Ons leer twee belangrike dinge by die sewe seuns van Skeva: 1) Satan weet wie jy is. Die bose gees in hierdie man het met die seuns van Skeva gepraat en gesê: ‘…Jesus ken ek, en van Paulus weet ek, maar wie is júlle?’ (Handelinge 19:15 NLV). Vraag: Het jy die tipe verhouding met God wat veroorsaak dat Satan jou naam ken en erken dat jy ‘n krag is om mee rekening te hou? Miskien dink jy heeltyd aan jou eie ontoereikenheid, jy dink dat jy nie goed genoeg vir die werk is nie. Verstaan mooi: dis nie vir jou wat die vyand bang is nie – dis vir God se Gees wat binne-in jou woon waarvoor hy bang is!
2) Wanneer die ‘dag van onheil’ aanbreek, sal jy ontdek of jy dit het wat nodig is. Paulus het gesê: ‘Trek daarom die volle wapenrusting aan wat God julle gee, sodat julle weerstand kan bied in die dag van onheil en, nadat julle die stryd tot die einde toe gevoer het, nog op julle pos kan bly staan’ (Efesiërs 6:13 NLV). Die bose gees het die swakhede in die sewe seuns van Skeva herken en hulle van hulle valse voorwendsels gestroop.
Jy sal net oorleef as jou geloof opreg is, omdat jy eendag saam met God sal moet stap wanneer jy nie kan verstaan of verduidelik waarheen Hy jou neem nie. Jou tegnieke en talente sal jou nie daardeur bring nie. Jy gaan op sy Woord moet staan wanneer dit lyk asof dinge nie vir jou uitwerk nie. Dis dan wanneer jy sal ontdek dis nie: ‘…met mag of krag nie, maar deur my Gees, sê die Here die Almagtige’ (Sagaria 4:6 NLV).
Sielskos: Sef 1-3; Joh 6:1-24; Ps 85; Spr 24:11-14
2021-10-22
Acts 19:17 NKJV
The Bible says: ‘Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and…they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified’ (v.11-17 NKJV).
This story should act as a warning to those who think, ‘If they can do something, I can do it!’ It’s not always true. Unless God calls and equips us to do it, the chances are that we’ll get it wrong and get ourselves in a mess. God doesn’t empower us to do our own thing; He empowers us to do His thing.
The truth is, we can only use the name of Jesus effectively: a) When we acknowledge Him as our Saviour and Lord. b) When we have an intimate relationship with Him. c) When we stand on His Word and practise its principles in our everyday lives. When we do that, every time we use the name of Jesus, we’re protected and supported by the authority that’s in His name.
1 Tim 4-6; John 5:31-47; Ps 126; Prov 24:10
Handelinge 19:17 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘God het deur Paulus se optrede wonderbaarlike dinge gedoen sodat selfs wanneer doeke of voorskote wat aan sy vel geraak het, op siekes gesit is, hulle siektes verdwyn het. Selfs bose geeste het uit mense gegaan. Party rondreisende Joodse geesuitdrywers het ook probeer om die Naam van die Here Jesus te gebruik vir mense wat bose geeste gehad het. Die formule wat hulle probeer het was: ‘Ek dryf julle uit in die Naam van dié Jesus vir wie Paulus verkonding!’
Hierdie geesuitdrywers was die sewe seuns van ‘n senior Joodse priester, Skeva. Maar die bose gees het vir hulle gesê: ‘Jesus ken ek, en van Paulus weet ek, maar wie is júlle?’ Die man in wie die bose gees was, spring toe onder hulle in. Hy was te sterk vir hulle en kry die oorhand oor hulle sodat hulle kaal en erg beseer uit daardie huis gevlug het. Dié gebeure het bekend geword… en die Naam van die Here Jesus is grootgemaak’ (verse 11-17 NLV). Hierdie verhaal moet as waarskuwing dien vir diegene wat dink: ‘As hulle dit kan doen, kan ek dit ook doen!’.
Dis nie so nie. Tensy God jou roep en jou toerus om dit te doen, is die kans goed dat jy sal faal. God bemagtig jou nie om jou eie ding te doen nie; Hy bemagtig jou om sy ding te doen! Die waarheid is dat jy die naam van Jesus effektief kan gebruik: a) Wanneer jy Hom as jou Redder en Here erken. b) Wanneer jy ‘n intieme verhouding met Hom het. c) Wanneer jy op sy Woord staan en die beginsels daarin vervat, elke dag in jou lewe uitleef.
Wanneer jy dit doen, sal jy elke keer wanneer jy die Naam van Jesus gebruik, deur die gesag wat in sy Naam vervat is, beskerm en gevrywaar word.
Sielskos: 1 Tim 4-6; Joh 5:31-47; Ps 126; Spr 24:10
Acts 19:17 NKJV
The Bible says: “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’
Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and…they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (vv. 11-17 NKJV).
This story should act as a warning to those who think, “If they can do something, I can do it!” Not so. Unless God calls and equips you to do it, the chances are that you’ll fall flat on your face! God doesn’t empower you to do your own thing; He empowers you to do His thing!
The truth is, you can only use the name of Jesus effectively: (a) When you acknowledge Him as your Saviour and Lord. (b) When you have an intimate relationship with Him. (c) When you stand on His word and practice its principles in your everyday life. When you do that, every time you use the name of Jesus, you’re protected and indemnified by the authority that’s in His name.
Soul food: 1 Tim 4-6; John 5:31-47; Ps 126; Prov 24:10
