“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto we which are saved it is the power of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:18

Since Jesus rose from the dead, different people have responded differently to the preaching of the Cross. Some reject it, while others receive the message by faith and thus experience the power of God. Paul referred to this dichotomy of response when he wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto we which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The word “foolishness” in this verse is from the word moria, which means foolish, stupid, or unintelligent and describes unacceptable behavior, thought, or speech. From this word moria, we derive the word moron. To the Greek and Roman mind, to believe in Christ and in His Cross alone as the way to salvation was the belief of a moron. This kind of exclusive and “narrow” behavior, thought, or speech was simply unacceptable. When confronted with the message of the Gospel, a pagan of that time would have forthrightly exclaimed, “It is stupid, unintelligent, and unacceptable to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.”

Paul continued in First Corinthians 1:18, saying, “…Unto we which are saved it is the power of God.” The word “power” is the Greek word dunamis, which is most often used in ancient literature to depict military might or the ability to conquer. In fact, it is used 210 times in the New Testament to denote strength and conquering ability. For those who don’t believe in Jesus and have never experienced the delivering and conquering power of the Gospel, this message may seem to be foolishness. But those who have repented and have entered into covenant with Jesus Christ know the delivering, conquering power of these mighty words. It is no foolishness to the redeemed — it is the lifesaving power of God !

In the early days of the Church, the message of the Cross — backed with the power of the Spirit — produced life wherever it found open hearts to receive its eternal truth. It ignited new birth in the hearts of men, broke the yoke of spiritual bondage off of people’s lives, brought healing to bodies and minds ravaged by sickness and disease, and delivered people of defiling demonic influences from their previous pagan environment.

There was, there is, and there always will be wonder-working power in the message of the Cross. It may seem primitive or foolish to those who do not believe — but to those of us who are saved, this is the power of God unto salvation. For us, it is clear: There is salvation in no other.

Jesus is the only name given to man by which we can be saved (see Acts 4:12). The Cross is still the power of salvation to those who believe!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the life-saving, transforming power of the Cross of Christ. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on that Cross to pay the price for my freedom. Thank You that the Holy Spirit opened my spiritual ears to hear and that my heart believed the message. I gratefully rejoice that the Cross is still the power of God to us who believe.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that my life has been changed by the power of Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross. That Cross has become the wisdom and power of God to me. Because of the Cross, I am freed from sin, bondage, sickness, and disease. It has been, is now, and will always be the power of God to me and to all those who believe. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that proclaims the power of the Cross. I am attentive and available to the Spirit of God so He can use me as He desires — both to proclaim and to demonstrate the power of the Cross so that men may receive the saving knowledge of its truth!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you remember the first time you heard the message of the Cross preached? Where were you, who preached it, and what effect did it have upon you?
2. In what ways has your life been changed since you first heard the message of the Cross, and the power of Christ was released in you? Do you continue to meditate upon what Christ accomplished for you through His death, burial, and resurrection?
3. Do you know anyone who thinks the message of the Cross is foolishness? Do you pray for that person’s eyes to be opened to the truth?

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable…
— 2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV

It is a sad reality that some Christians have earned bad reputations for being dishonest. As a result of their dishonest, dishonorable words and actions, others were negatively affected.

The truth is, we have a God-given responsibility to hold up the name of Jesus in all our words and our deeds. Our lives should demonstrate that we are honest and that we do those things that are honorable to Jesus’ name. This is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable…” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV).

Over the years in our ministry, Denise and I have had our “fair share” of dealing with dishonest Christians as we’ve pressed forward to take new territory for the Kingdom of God. It is amazing how such individuals can smile with so much enthusiasm and glee while knowing in their hearts that they’re scheming to do something dishonest. Thankfully, this group of people constitutes a minority of believers — yet this small minority can leave a bad taste in one’s mouth and have a widespread negative effect, especially if the person they’ve wounded tells others about the ordeal.

In moments when we experience the unpleasantness of someone’s dishonorable behavior, it would be wise for us to remember that even Jesus had an insincere person — Judas Iscariot — on His team. So it should not surprise us if we occasionally experience a disappointing personal encounter with a fellow Christian. From time to time, it simply happens — and when it does, we must forgive and move on without spreading the bad news to others whom it will disappoint and hurt. Only those who are in authority need to be informed when such an event occurs.

If this happens to you, I advise you not to slip into a mode of judging those who let you down. They may simply be believers whose minds are not yet renewed to truth and right behavior. Down the road in their Christian walk, after God works in their hearts and minds, they may repent and come back to ask your forgiveness. So when you have a disappointing experience with a fellow Christian, it’s vital that you keep your own heart free of judgment and bitterness. Instead of letting that bad experience get the best of you, focus on your own actions and make sure that you are not among those who portray a bad image of believers in Jesus Christ!

As Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians, he told them, “Now I pray to God that you do no evil…but that you should do that which is honorable” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV). In light of today’s conversation so far, let’s look a little deeper at this verse.

The words “now I” are a translation of the Greek word echometha, which would be better translated, “Now we….” It tells us that this was not the prayer request of Paul singularly — rather, his entire apostolic team was praying for honorable behavior among the readers of the apostle’s letter. As a city, Corinth had a bad reputation for being swindlers and cheaters. Paul’s entire company was concerned about the behavior of the Corinthian believers. And they prayed against it, believing that the Christians in Corinth would conduct their lives in a way that reflected integrity, honesty, and honor.

Paul wrote specifically that they prayed the Corinthians would “do no evil.” The word “evil” is from the word kakos — a word that describes something that brings harm and thus produces bitterness in the recipient or recipients of the evil actions or conduct. Kakos denotes something that is unfair, unjust, or destructive — thus, as noted, the result of this kind of behavior leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the one to whom the “evil” was done.

In Greek, when Paul wrote the words “do no evil,” he used a strong form of the word “no”— meaning he was giving a very strong prohibition against those “evil” kinds of actions and activities. This tells us that Paul was not making a mere suggestion; he was giving a command to his readers to come up higher in their motives and actions.

For the believer, Paul simply left no room and no excuse for a lack of integrity. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us today through this verse, telling us that we must also do nothing that is deliberately or knowingly wrong — or that would cause embitterment in another person. Instead, Paul commanded us, “that you should do what is honorable” (2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV).

The word “do” is a form of the Greek word poieo, which carries the idea of creativity. In other words, if finding a way to do something right, good, fair, and honorable doesn’t come to you easily, ask the Holy Spirit to help you get creative about ways to do what is helpful and beneficial to others.

The King James Version translates the word “honorable” as “honest.” The word “honest” is from the Greek word kalos, and it describes something that is done with good in mind or in a noble or honorable way. It denotes something that is unblemished and pure. We might say that kalos carries the idea of actions that are ethical, principled, morally correct, upright, or full of integrity. Kalos denotes the highest and finest kind of aspiration — the desire to do something in the most correct and honest manner.

In summation, the Holy Spirit — speaking through the apostle Paul — pleads with us to do that which is honest, honorable, and good. He strongly urges us never to deliberately do anything that would cause hurt to others. In fact, He warns us that there is no place for this type of behavior in the life of a committed Christian. We must constantly remember that what we do reflects on the good name of Jesus. If we’re tempted to do something that lacks integrity, we need to pull back, repent, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us speak the truth and to do what is just, fair, helpful, and beneficial to those who could be affected by our actions.

I urge you to read the questions that follow and sincerely ask if there is any area of your life that needs to be changed concerning showing honor to Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit is right there inside you to open your eyes to anything that needs to be corrected. He simply needs a heart that is willing to see the truth and to respond to what He shows you and tells you to do. Open your heart and let the Holy Spirit help you. Refuse to do anything that is morally or ethically questionable. Allow Him to help you set your heart on behaving uprightly in your words and deeds.

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Holy Spirit, after reading today’s Sparkling Gem, I am more determined than ever before to yield to You — the Spirit of Truth — in every area of my life. I commit to be honest and forthcoming in all my dealings with people in my life. If I’ve ever caused harm to a fellow Christian or hurt the reputation of Jesus’ name, I ask You for forgiveness. As I look back on my life, I can’t think of a time when I’ve done this intentionally. But perhaps I have a poor memory. So just in case I’ve been guilty in some way of dishonoring the name of Jesus or grieving the Person of the Holy Spirit by my poor actions and behavior, I repent and ask You to forgive me so the slate will be clear in my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that I will not be involved in any type of sinful shenanigans that would hurt the testimony of Jesus’ name or that would cause people to retreat from fellowshipping with His Church. I will walk worthily of the calling that has been given to me. I will walk in integrity and be forthright, even if it costs me personally to be honest and truthful. I declare that I will not deliberately do evil to anyone, but I make it my aim to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in a noble and honorable manner in all things!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time when some fellow believer did some questionable things that hurt his or her Christian testimony? When was that? In the end, what happened? Were people hurt by this person’s lack of Christian integrity?
2. Has there been a time in your own life when you acted manipulatively to get what you wanted? Were you truthful, or did you twist the facts and the story in order to gain some kind of advantage? Did the Holy Spirit convict you that this was wrong? Did you ever go back to those individuals with whom you were dishonest and ask them for forgiveness?
3. Can you recall someone who was spiritually damaged because of something a Christian did that was full of dishonesty and ulterior motives? Did that person who was hurt write everyone else off because of that one experience? Have you ever done anything to attempt to restore that believer back into fellowship with a church?

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
— 2 Timothy 4:4

In our home in Russia, Denise and I have several black, lacquered boxes that are precious Russian works of art. They were painted using a centuries-old technique, and each box contains up to 16 layers of papier-mâché. The work is so intricate, in fact, the scenes on these boxes were painstakingly painted with a brush containing only one hair! Then when the painting was finished on one of these boxes, the artist would burnish it with the tooth of a wolf.

Four main schools taught and performed this method, and when the art form first began in Russia, the intricate scenery on these boxes primarily consisted of religious icons and scenery depicting religious events and nobility. But the art changed after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Under Communism, the artists who masterfully created these works of art were no longer allowed to paint religious themes because atheism had become the “religion” of the State.

Because these artists still possessed their amazing talent and desired to continue creating these magnificent boxes, they stopped painting religious iconography and began painting fairytales instead. They continued to work in the same artistic style, but new subjects began to appear on the boxes. In addition to painting scenes from popular fables or painting depictions of mythical characters, these artists were commissioned to paint pictorials of the revolution, Soviet labor, industrial giants, and Communist party leaders. So these gifted artists didn’t stop painting; they simply stopped painting the truth!

Every time I look at one of these boxes in our home, I think of a generation of artists that changed — and I also think of a generation of God-called ministers, many of whom the Bible says will change. Having once preached the truth, they will begin preaching something other than the pure truth they once ministered.

The creators of those old lacquer boxes kept practicing their art, but they changed and began to do it differently. Similarly, the Bible prophesies that some ministers in the last days will keep practicing their vocation, but they’ll begin to do it differently. They’ll possess the same God-given gifts, talents, anointing, and calling they always had — but because of people’s “itching ears” (see 2 Timothy 4:3), these men and women of God will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn instead to fables, or myths.

Let’s look first at First Timothy 1:3 — Paul’s earlier warning to Timothy, his son in the faith: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”

The words “other doctrine” are especially significant. The word “doctrine” is the Greek word heterodidaskalos, which is a compound of the words heteros and didaskalos. The word heteros means of a different kind. The word didaskalos means teaching. So when these two words are compounded, it means teachings of a different kind — indicating incorrect teaching. When Paul made this charge to Timothy, he was in essence saying, “…That you might charge some that they not engage or participate in teaching of a different kind.”

Well, what about this “teaching of a different kind”? It was teaching, all right. In fact, it sounded so much on the surface like real Bible teaching that Paul used the word from the Greek didaskalos — the Greek word for “doctrine” — to describe it. So it sounded like doctrine, but Paul was warning Timothy to listen carefully — because this teaching had a different ring to it. It was doctrine of a different kind. It had been twisted and altered from its original state.

In First Timothy 1:4-6, Paul continued, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” Then in verse 6, he said, “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling.”

The word “swerved” in this verse comes from the Greek word astocheo, which means to miss the mark or to deviate from truth. So if a minister has swerved from preaching correct doctrine, it means he or she is not hitting the target any longer. The words “turned aside” are translated from the Greek word ektrepo, a medical term that describes a bone out of joint. If you’ve ever had a bone out of joint, you know firsthand that the experience is a very painful one!

Similarly, Paul was telling us that when a minister swerves and turns aside from truth — teaching something other than the truth he previously taught — it’s like a bone that’s out of joint. And just as a bone that’s out of joint affects the whole body, naturally speaking, when a minister gets out of joint with his doctrine, it affects the entire local body that he is a part of.

So many are hungry for the pure teaching of God’s Word but they’re not receiving it because much of the solid teaching that was taught to earlier generations has been replaced by motivational sermons — or teaching of a different kind. But when the Bible is taught correctly, it has a sobering effect on people. It helps them keep their own heads on straight. It helps them win in the circumstances of life and to bear fruit to the glory of God. And it stabilizes them in times of great instability and uncertainty.

Especially because we live in the last days when the Holy Spirit prophesied that some leaders would go astray in their doctrine, we must pray for God to raise up skilled, solid Bible teachers who will feed the pure Word of God to people whose hearts are crying out for it. God’s people need good teaching, so let’s be united in prayer for God-sent leaders who will not twist or alter what the Bible says in order to appease a crowd with “itching ears.” Let’s pray for bold preachers who will refuse to revert to motivational messages instead of preaching the Word of truth. Nothing is more powerful than truth, mixed with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

That’s what I think of when I look at the black lacquered boxes that we have on display in our home in Moscow. I keep them in view as a beautiful reminder that I am never to deviate from the original call of God on my life or from putting out a sound message that has the power to transform people’s lives!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I know that we are living in the last days. I ask You to help me keep my head on straight when it comes to the preaching and teaching of the Bible. This is a day when truth is being traded for motivational messages, and many in the Church don’t even know the basic tenets of the faith anymore. I ask You to help me stay on track with solid Bible teaching. Keep me rooted and grounded in the Word of God, I present myself to You to use as a source of strong teaching for people who are new in the Lord or who are simply hungry for deeper and balanced teaching!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I have been taught the Word of God and that I stand on a strong, stable doctrinal foundation. My spiritual senses are so exercised that I am able to discern true teaching from myth-like teaching. My heart goes out to those who are not able to discern the difference, and I will do everything in my ability to help put people on a strong doctrinal foundation that will hold them up in the times ahead. I am thankful for the Word of God that has been placed in my life. I honor it. I cherish it. And I accept the responsibility to help share it with others.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Where did you receive your doctrinal foundation? Who taught you the basic doctrines and tenets of the Christian faith? Do you value what they taught you — and have you ever taken the time to personally thank those people for placing you on such a rock-solid foundation?
2. Can you think of an example of a teaching that has heresy in it, but people at large have accepted it, because they don’t have enough Bible teaching in their own lives to be able to discern the difference between good and bad spiritual food? What is an example that quickly comes to your mind?
3. Have you been accused of being spiritually “stuck” because you don’t go with every wind of doctrine that blows through the Church? When Paul talks about enduring afflictions from other believers (see 2 Corinthians 11:26), do you understand what he is talking about? Have you ever experienced that from other Christians?

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
— Colossians 3:14

Can you imagine loving with such a pure love that you expect nothing back in return and it’s impossible for you to feel hurt or let down by the response of the recipients of your love? You don’t love them for the purpose of getting something in return; you shower them with love simply because you love them. That love is entirely possible, because it’s God’s agape love, and He has shed His love abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). This is why I call agape a high-level love. It is a love that has no strings attached, a love that loves simply and purely — the God-kind of love.

In today’s Sparkling Gem, we are going to look at this God-kind of love through Paul’s words in Colossians 3:14, where he commanded us, “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

The phrase “put on” is a translation of the Greek word enduo, a common term that was used in New Testament times to denote the act of putting on a garment or a piece of clothing. Although clothing styles have changed innumerable times over the millennia, the process of putting on your garments has always been the same. If you’re going to dress properly for the day, you have to make the choice to look into the closet and select the clothes you wish to wear. Then you have to deliberately take that outfit off the hanger and slip it onto your body. Your clothes won’t jump out of the closet and onto your body without your help. If you are going to wear them, you have to put them on!

In the same way, Paul says we are to “put on love.” This word for “love” is the Greek word agape — a complex term that I call high-level love because there is no higher, finer, or more excellent love than agape love. As we have studied before, this kind of love occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, and appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. Such great respect is awakened in the heart of the observer for the object or person he is beholding that he is compelled to love. In fact, his love for that person or object is so strong that it is irresistible. If necessary, agape love will even sacrifice itself for the sake of that object or person it so deeply cherishes. Thus, agape is the highest form of love — a self-sacrificial type of love that moves one to action.

In First John 3:16, we are urged to possess agape for each other. It says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This plainly means that we are to love and appreciate each other just as fully and freely as God loves us.

The Father loved us to the point of self-sacrifice. In the same way, we are to agape our brothers and sisters to such a great extent that we would be willing to lay down our lives for them or forgive them for wrongs we perceive they have committed against us. We are to love others with no strings attached.

You may ask, “But how can I possess such love? Is it really possible for me to exhibit that kind of love for other people, including those who have offended or hurt me?”

Because the seed of God’s Word has been sown into your own human spirit, this divine love is within you all the time. If you will let the Spirit of God release it from your heart, you will begin to experience this fruit of the Spirit called agape as it swells up from deep within. And as you allow God’s love to flow out of your life to others, it will transform your character to become more like Jesus Christ.

But this kind of love is something you have to “put on” if you’re going to experience it. This love is always inside you — but it’s like clothing hanging in the closet. The clothes are yours, but you’ve got to walk to the closet, open the door, take the clothes off the hanger, slip your arms through the sleeves, and then begin to push the buttons through the buttonholes. You never get dressed by accident. It’s always a result of your decision and action.

Likewise, God has placed this amazing love deep inside you — in your “heart-closet,” so to speak. But you are the only one with the power to open the doors to that place where it is kept, take it off the hanger, and start putting it on. Furthermore, when you are tempted to take that love off and put it back in the closet out of anger or disappointment, remember that you alone can decide to adorn yourself in this agape love of God. So open your heart, reach inside, pull it out, and be determined to get dressed in the agape love of God. In fact, God commands it!

So refuse to let anger, frustration, and intolerance rule you — and take this command of God very seriously. Slip on the garment of agape love, and keep it on! God is love; in fact, it’s the very essence of who He is. And just as Jesus is the perfect reflection of the Father’s love (see John 15:9), so are you called to be a reflection of Jesus’ love. First John 4:17 declares, “…As he is, so are we in this world”!

Now that you know this type of divine love is inside you, you can deliberately and on purpose open the doors to your “heart-closet” to take it out and put it on! This will enable you to walk in love, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Don’t you agree that it’s time for you to get dressed in the love of God today?

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I thank You for the love of God that has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to me. Releasing this love is a choice, and I repent for the times I’ve chosen to walk in anger, frustration, or intolerance instead of choosing to put on love as You’ve instructed me to do. I thank You for Your great love for me. Jesus said I will prove to be His disciple when I release His love toward others. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of a free will. I honor You with it by choosing to put on agape love. I will give no place to the devil by keeping myself clothed in the love of God.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that the incorruptible seed of God’s Word is sown into my spirit. Therefore, God’s agape love is planted within me. I deliberately choose to put on that love as a garment. Clothed in the love of God, I walk into each situation covered with the God-kind of love that never fails, fades out, or comes to an end. In every situation I face, I am equipped to love others as God has loved me – purely from the heart, with no strings attached!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you had moments when you decided that you were going to walk in love instead of offense or anger? Isn’t it a victorious moment when you make the right choice? What is stopping you from making that choice today?
2. Have you ever “half-walked” in love — as if you got your arm into one of your shirtsleeves, but then something happened that caused you to jerk your arm out of it and say something disparaging to someone else? What did you do to recover from that and to repair the hurt you may have caused?
3. Are there individuals with whom you need to be careful that you don’t get out of love? Who are they? Have you put them on a prayer list and determined to make praying for these people a part of your daily prayer time?

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together….
— Hebrews 10:25

In today’s Sparkling Gem, I want to share some history with you about where believers met to worship when the law forbade them to do so. I think you will find this little history lesson to be very interesting!

Hebrews 10:25 commands believers to meet together regularly. However, during New Testament times, Roman law expressly forbade believers from congregating. Although there were periods of reprieve in different regions of the empire in the early centuries of the Church, it was generally illegal for Christians to come together anywhere in the Roman Empire — including the privacy of their own homes. Those who were caught doing so often faced severe reprisal.

These restrictions put believers in a difficult position. Although Scripture instructed them to obey, honor, and pray for the authorities of the land (see Romans 13:1,2), their government wouldn’t permit them to obey God’s commands. As the new laws took effect, Christians found themselves being forced to choose between obeying the law of God or following the law of man — just as Peter and John had to decide whom they would obey when the Sanhedrin commanded them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4:19). When Roman or local laws were in line with God’s law, early Christians diligently obeyed them. But if a law conflicted with the principles clearly outlined in God’s Word, most believers chose to obey God over the government’s mandates. This choice was not without consequence, however, because it gave rise to accusations that Christians were insubordinate lawbreakers.

As a result of Roman authorities passing laws that forbade gatherings that were not sanctioned by the government, it quickly became difficult for believers to find safe locations where they could worship together in peace. Early Christians had to be creative in the ways they met and in the way they communicated where their meetings would be held. One method they used to communicate with each other was secret imagery that pagans didn’t understand.

Soldiers and political officials might have thought this symbol was a mere street game, but in reality, it was a secret code designed to help believers connect with each other and coordinate meetings. For instance, if it was scribbled next to a shop, it might have conveyed that the shop owner was a Christian. If it was drawn next to a home, it might have indicated that a Christian gathering was secretly being held there. Wherever this symbol was inscribed, it sent the message that believers were nearby.

Because of the law forbidding unauthorized gatherings — which included members of this upstart Christian sect — Hebrews 10:25 put believers in direct opposition to the law. Consequently, they were often driven to assemble in secret meetings, which they frequently disguised to look like something else. Using emblems like the circular icythus symbol, believers were able to covertly communicate where they lived or worked with each other. And by regularly changing the place and time of their meetings, they made it difficult for authorities to catch them.

Congregations rarely met at the same place for long, choosing instead to constantly move to new secret locations in order to avoid detection. Church meetings in the First Century were mostly conducted in private residences, and just like today, the homes of believers could come in all sizes. Some places were quite modest, whereas others were large enough to accommodate a small congregation. In Acts 20:7-12, we read of a boy who fell from a window of a third-floor apartment where Paul was preaching to a local congregation. This reveals that even apartment buildings could be used for church use if the circumstances were right.

As the years passed and forces continued to mount against Christians, they were often forced to become even more covert about the locations of their meetings. For example, in the mid-Second Century at the trial of Christian leader Justin Martyr, he admitted to the Roman magistrate that he had been conducting meetings in a room located above a bathhouse in Rome.

Since Roman bathhouses were notorious cesspools of sinful activities, it might seem highly unusual that a respected church leader like Justin Martyr would choose to meet with other Christians there for purposes of teaching or corporate worship. However, the strategic potential of such a meeting place should be considered. This may have been an ideal covert location for Christian gatherings simply because it was such an unlikely possibility.

Another place where believers met in secret was in suburban cemeteries on the outskirts of the cities. These were considered ideal meeting places because they were largely hidden from the eyes of hostile governmental authorities.

By the Second Century — and some scholars believe there is evidence for as early as the late First Century — believers began to use underground catacombs for the burial of their dead. Although there were few rich Christians in the earliest years of the Church, later some wealthy Christian landowners granted permission for underground tombs to be built on their land. Some of the larger rooms in these underground chambers became another means used by early believers to assemble together in secret.

Especially during periods of fierce persecution in the Second and Third Centuries, these underground catacombs sometimes provided an effective “cover” for Christian meetings because they gave the impression that these believers were merely a group of people gathered for a funeral ceremony. In fact, at times actual funerals became legal opportunities for Christians to gather.

Roman soldiers were superstitious about the dead and were afraid to enter the catacombs, so some of the larger chambers in these underground systems became ideal locations for believers to meet on occasion without fear of authorities watching what they were doing. Deep beneath the earth, those burial quarters would be transformed into places for worship, testimony, and the teaching of God’s Word — a place where believers could strengthen each other’s faith before reemerging into the sunlight. But even these Christian burial grounds came to be officially forbidden to believers.

So we see that because of the hostile forces arrayed against the Church during the first three centuries of its existence, it was a matter of survival for early believers to find concealed places where they could meet to worship, hear God’s Word, and fellowship with one another. It’s not so different than the way the Church operates today in countries where governments are hostile to the Gospel.

We should never take for granted how fortunate we are to be able to attend church without the threat of death or imprisonment. This privilege has cost and continues to cost others highly. Let’s pray for God to give us a renewed love for the local church — and a firm decision that if we have to choose between obeying man’s laws or God’s laws, we will always choose to obey God rather than man!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I realize that it is better to obey You than man. I didn’t realize the pressure that early Christians faced just to meet together. Because we have so much freedom, I often forget that there are Christians around the world today who are persecuted simply for attending church. As we face the days ahead of us — when laws passed by high courts may conflict with the law of God — give us the courage to stick by Your law and do what You say. This will take great strength of will, so I ask You, Holy Spirit, to give me the inward fortitude to do what is right, regardless of what the world around me says.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am committed to carrying out the instructions outlined in the Word of God. The thinking of the world and society may change, but God’s Word is unchanging — and I will stick by the Word of God, regardless of the way the world around me tries to dictate my actions or influence my beliefs. I am filled with courage; I am overflowing with confidence; and I have the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord is my strength and my personal bravery. The Word of God is a high tower of strength to me. Regardless of what man says or the price it will cost to obey, I will do what God’s Word commands.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you think of or pray for Christians in other parts of the world who are presently suffering for their faith? Have you ever thought about what it costs them simply to attend a church service?
2. Our freedom is so abundant, and we have lived in freedom for so long that it’s hard for us to imagine losing But if the government suddenly put restrictions on your practice of faith, how would you respond? Would you obey the courts, or would you obey the Word of God?
3. I live in Russia where there was a time when believers had to meet covertly. If you had to meet covertly to worship with other Christians, would you do it, or would you fall out of fellowship to avoid persecution?

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
— Acts 19:17

In the past few Sparkling Gems, we’ve seen how the pagan population of the city of Ephesus was very preoccupied with the magical power of secret names, spells, and incantations. It was very significant to the citizens of the city that the demon possessing the demoniac, who was apparently well known in Ephesus, knew the name of Jesus. No one else had ever been able to help this demon-possessed man. But the evil spirit that had taken control of this tormented individual actually spoke and admitted to knowing the name of Jesus. This would have signaled to the pagan population that the name of Jesus contained great power. And the fact that the demon even acknowledged Paul would have also given the apostle a higher level of authority in the eyes of the people.

As a result of this event, a new preeminence was immediately given to the name of Jesus in Ephesus, and Paul’s influence increased. Acts 19:17 describes the impact this incident had on those who heard about it: “And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”

The Bible doesn’t specify how the news of this event quickly reached both the Jewish and Greek communities in Ephesus, but we know that it did. Perhaps there were eyewitnesses of the event who told others about it. Or perhaps those who had hired the seven sons of Sceva reported this event to friends, who then spread the news to others. Maybe there were firsthand witnesses of the incident who heard the screams of the exorcists and saw them running naked from the house.

Regardless of how the news was spread, it made a significant impression on both Jews and Greeks. Both groups were impressed that the name of Jesus was known by the evil spirit that inhabited this man. As a result, this verse states that “…fear fell on them all…”

The Greek word for “fear” is phobos, which in this case describes a reverential fear, hush, or amazement that literally fell on the residents of the city. It brought a speechless sense of awe to the entire community — and a heightened awareness of the name of Jesus. This is why the verse goes on to say, “…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (v. 17).

It must be noted that Luke referred here to the “Lord Jesus,” not just to “Jesus.” The word “Lord” is the Greek word kurios, meaning lord or supreme master. This violent episode between the demon and the seven sons of Sceva had demonstrated that Jesus alone has the power and might to demand respect of evil spiritual forces. By calling him “Lord Jesus” in this context, Luke revealed to us that Jesus came out of the ordeal as the Champion. As a result, His name was “magnified” — enlarged, expanded, and maximized — throughout the city.

Thus, the failed attempt of the seven exorcists was an event used by God to bring attention to the name of Jesus and to escalate the pace of the work for His Kingdom in Ephesus. Large numbers of conversions took place as people turned from their occult deeds with genuine acts of repentance.

There is no question that the power of God was being unleashed in the heart of this dark pagan city and that its foundation, which had been established on the bedrock of idolatry, was being shaken to its very core. Life in Ephesus was being eternally impacted by the power of the Gospel, and many who lived in the region would never be the same again.

This is what happens when the power of God is in manifestation! It shakes people to their core and they know without any doubt that they have come into contact with the highest level of supernatural power.

Doesn’t this make you want to see the power of God manifest in your city, in your church, or in your ministry? Nothing brings glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ more than His divine power being unleashed through faith in full operation!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I want to see Your divine power unleashed in my city, in my church, and in our ministry. Nothing brings glory to the name of the Lord Jesus like a miracle or a supernaturally heaven-sent manifestation of divine power. Forgive me for restraining the manifestations of the Holy Spirit when He has longed to demonstrate the power of God. I am sorry and so wrong for fearing what people will think — when in fact, this is the very thing that will make the greatest impression on people. I ask You to help me from this moment forward to surrender to the great working of Your power and that this type of manifestation will cause the name of the Lord Jesus to be magnified!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I admit that the fear of man — and what other people think — has caused me to hinder the power of God from operating as God wants it to operate in our city, in our church, and in our ministry. However, from this moment forward, I confess that I am throwing open my arms to receive the supernatural assistance that heaven wants to give in terms of signs and wonders. Such signs and wonders were sent to draw people to Jesus, not deter people from Jesus — so I am going to stop wondering what people think and I’m going to become an instrument for the power of God to bring signs and wonders into manifestation!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have there been times when God wanted to move supernaturally, and you hindered it or stopped it because you were afraid of what people would think?
2. From what we’ve studied in today’s Sparkling Gem, do you see that such power magnifies the name of Jesus and brings people closer to the Kingdom of God? Do you understand that your fear of people’s reactions has been altogether inaccurate?
3. The next time you sense the leading of the Holy Spirit to operate in the gifts of the Spirit or to unleash the power of God, what are you going to do? It’s going to take a firm decision, one that you’ll stand by, so what is your truthful answer?

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
— Acts 19:16

As we continue looking at Acts 19, we find the evil spirit in this man was inflamed by the seven exorcists’ feeble and ineffective attempts to cast it out. The evil spirit unexpectedly seized the full use of the possessed man’s body to physically attack and injure them. Acts 19:16 tells us, “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them…” Those exorcists had encroached on demonic territory that they didn’t know how to handle! Let’s look at those words leaped, overcame, and prevailed, because they tell a huge part of this story.

When the text says the man “leaped” on them, it is the Greek word ephallomai, which means to leap upon, to jump upon, or to pounce upon, as a panther leaps on a weak and defenseless animal. This word carries the idea of abruptly taking a victim by surprise, which means these exorcists were completely taken off guard by this attack. Not only did the demon-possessed man leap on them, but the verse also says that he “…overcame them, and prevailed against them.”

The word “overcame” is a translation of the word katakurieuo, a compound of the words kata and kurios. The word kata carries the idea of a force that is dominating or subjugating, and the word kurios is the Greek word for a lord or master. When compounded into one word, the new word means to completely conquer, to master, to quash, to crush, to subdue, to defeat, to force into a humiliating submission, or to bring one to his knees in surrender.

The word katakurieuo leaves no room for misunderstanding — this was a humiliating defeat for these seven exorcists. Their defeat was so complete that the verse goes on to say that the evil spirit “prevailed against them.” The word “prevail” is a translation of the Greek word ischuos, which describes a mighty individual, such as a man with such muscular strength or physical power that he could defeat any opponent.

It is indisputably clear that evil spirits have the ability to supernaturally energize those in whom they dwell. When they do, the demonized individuals may exhibit inexplicable physical strength. One of the best examples of this is found in Mark 5:3,4. Here we read again about the demoniac of Gadara, who was so supernaturally energized that no one could bind him, not even with fetters and chains. If people were successful enough to attach the fetters and chains around this man, he was so empowered by demons that he could tear those heavy iron chains to pieces and get free almost without effort. Absolutely no one could tame him or bring him under control — except Jesus.

The demons that inhabited this man who lived among the tombs in the Gadarenes were violent beyond any human’s ability to control. It must be noted that ancient Greek literature used the word daimonian — the word “demon” — to portray a person who is mad or insane. But this is not only the classical Greek view. The New Testament also shows that those who were possessed with evil spirits were mad and often afflicted with physical illnesses. This is why Matthew 4:24 says, “…they brought unto him [Jesus] all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

Please get the revelation of this, because it is crucial. Jesus had absolute authority over evil spirits when He walked this earth. Then He gave the authority to cast out demons in His name to all those who trust in Him (see Mark 16:17). This was the secret of Paul’s success. But these seven sons of Sceva were not believers; they were simply exorcists trying a new formula. And they soon discovered what happens to those who try to wield spiritual authority they don’t possess. Those men were no match for the demons that indwelt the demoniac at Ephesus!

As the seven exorcists commanded the evil spirit to leave the man, suddenly the evil spirit seized the man’s body and demonically energized it, and the man surged forward like a fierce wild animal and pounced upon them. After being severely beaten and battered, all seven of those men fled the scene in fear. Verse 16 says, “…They fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

The word “fled” in Greek is ekpheugo. This word is a compound of the word ek — meaning out, as to exit or leave a place — and the word pheugo, which means to flee or to run swiftly. When these two words are compounded, the new word conveys the idea that those seven sons of Sceva got out of the house as quickly as they possibly could, making a mad dash or a fast exit. And no wonder they wanted to get out so quickly — they had been injured and had even lost their clothes in the attack!

The verse says the seven men fled out of “that house,” referring to the house where the demoniac was kept. The wording of this phrase implies that this was a well-known house. It wasn’t just a house; it was the house where this savage man lived. It was the place everyone avoided and stayed far from, for too much fear was associated with it and with the violent activities that took place there. And at that moment, it was the exorcists themselves who were escaping from “that house” in great haste!

When the men ran out of the house, Acts 19:16 says they were “naked and wounded.” The word “naked” is gumnos, an often-used Greek word that simply means physically naked. The word “wounded” is traumatidzo, which means to cause injury or harm and is where we get the words trauma and traumatized.

We don’t know the exact details of this demonic attack, how long it lasted, or how badly these seven sons of Sceva suffered. We do know, however, that by the time they exited the house, they were naked, physically wounded, and traumatized.

When people heard that these particular exorcists had miserably failed to exorcise the demon, it was big news in Ephesus. Everyone heard how the evil spirit acknowledged the name and authority of Jesus and even knew the name of Paul, Christ’s servant — yet did not recognize these famous professional exorcists. So even in this worst-case demonic scenario, God’s purposes prevailed as it was noised abroad that only the name of Jesus had been recognized and respected by the demon world, bringing attention to that name all over the city of Ephesus and throughout the surrounding region (see Acts 19:17).

I assure you that the kingdom of darkness knows your name as well. As a child of God, you have the legitimate authority to wield the name of Jesus like a weapon in your hand against everything the enemy might try to throw at you. And when you exercise that authority in faith, every demon that has been sent to harass you will flee in terror! Hell knows you and trembles when you stand in the power of the name of Jesus!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, what an awesome thing to realize that the demons not only recognize Jesus’ authority — they also recognize the authority of those who know Jesus. Of course, Jesus stripped Satan of all his powers (Colossians 2:15) and it should be no surprise to me that he is terrified of Jesus’ name and those who had been authorized to use it. But I am especially thankful to You for bringing me out of the bondage of darkness, for translating me into the kingdom of Your dear Son, and for giving me authority in the name of Jesus Christ!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

Demons may have authority over unsaved people, but I boldly confess they do not have authority over me and others who are in Christ Jesus. I never have to fear a demonic attack like the seven sons of Sceva experienced because the devil is the one who is running from me when I use the Spirit-empowered name of Jesus! I refuse to shrink in fear, and I refuse to let the devil intimidate me, because I have the presence of the Greater One living inside me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. In your lifetime, have you ever heard of anyone who came under a demonic attack similar to the one we read about in Acts 19:16 today?
2. I once had a demon-inflicted man pick up a table and try to throw it at me, but he strictly obeyed me and put it down when I authoritatively spoke to him in the name of Jesus. Have you had any experiences where demons have quickly obeyed when you used Jesus’ name?
3. What faith-building stories can you recall of believers exercising authority over demon spirits?

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
— Acts 19:15

The evil spirits in the demon-possessed man in Acts 19 were very familiar with both Jesus and the apostle Paul. However, the demons did not recognize the seven sons of Sceva who were trying to exercise authority over them. We can know this from the original Greek in Acts 19:15, where the evil spirit responded to the seven exorcists: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”

The words translated “know” in those two phrases — “Jesus I know” and “Paul I know” — are two distinctly different words in the Greek text. In the phrase, “Jesus I know,” the word “know” is the Greek word ginosko. The word ginosko has a wide range of meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. The foremost meaning of ginosko was to recognize a person or a thing, to acknowledge, or to have a full comprehension about the person or thing being acknowledged. There is no question that the use of the word ginosko here means the wicked spirit that inhabited this man admitted, conceded, and affirmed that the name “Jesus” was well known to it. Like all evil spirits, this demon was familiar with Jesus — it fully comprehended and acknowledged who Jesus was — and had possessed this knowledge for a long time. So when the evil spirit said, “Jesus I know,” it was saying, in effect, “Jesus I know and fully comprehend with absolute certainty…”

On the other hand, in the phrase, “and Paul I know,” the word “know” is translated from a completely different Greek word. It is the word epistamai, which describes a knowledge obtained by outward observation. In other words, Paul’s reputation was growing as one who had authority over demons, and it had captured the attention of the spirit world in Ephesus. Local demons were “tuning in” to observe Paul’s activities.

The word epistamai implicitly reveals that the dark spirit world in Ephesus had recently become familiar with Paul’s ministry. The apostle’s activities were a great threat to the demonic forces over that city, and they were taken aback by his spiritual power. Therefore, the evil spirits of the territory were scrutinizing this newcomer and carefully watching him move through each situation as one who possessed great authority. This word epistamai also implies that these demonic spirits were spying and conducting surveillance on this newcomer who had invaded their dark stronghold — so they could stay aware of what Paul was doing and look for ways to oppose him. The word epistamai therefore carries the idea: “…and Paul I know because I have recently become familiar with him by carefully following and observing his activities.”

But then the evil spirit asked the seven sons of Sceva an interesting question: “But who are ye?” This question should be understood in the context of the entire verse. The reader should understand the text to mean: “Jesus I know and fully comprehend with absolute certainty, and Paul I know because I have recently become familiar with him by carefully following and observing his activities. But I have no idea who you are! In fact, we know nothing about you! We don’t recognize you or your authority at all!”

One would think that demonic forces would recognize exorcists who regularly delved into occult practices; however, the evil spirit in the man didn’t recognize these exorcists at all. But oh, what a glorious thought that this spirit knew the name of Jesus and knew Paul because Paul was in Christ and was an authorized user of Jesus’ name!

You fit that description too! If you are in Christ, you are an authorized user of the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit! James 2:19 says that demons “tremble” when they hear that name. As we saw yesterday, the word “tremble” would be better translated that they are “spooked” or “terrified” when they hear the name of Jesus spoken with bold faith by an authorized user!

If you are a Christian indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit, you have all power in Heaven and earth given unto you (see Matthew 28:18). You are authorized to speak on behalf of Jesus and to take authority over any evil presence that comes your way. And it must obey!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am thrilled and grateful to learn of the authority that I have in the name of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that I am a real, born-again child of God — and that You have authorized me to use Your power and Your name at any moment that it is required. I need never be afraid of the devil because demons recognize that the power of God inside me is greater than all of them put together. Thank You for encouraging me to be bold when I sense the devil is trying to manifest his presence or wage an attack!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that the Son of God lives inside me — and I am in Him — and when I am required to speak to an evil presence and command it to go, that evil spirit recognizes Jesus’ voice speaking through me. I am not afraid. I do not give way to fear. I do not listen to communication that would incite anxiety or fear. I receive from strong, Word-based teaching resources, like this one today, in order to build my faith and prepare me to take action when it is needed!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever thought about how sad it is that people involved in the occult are playing with powers that will ultimately work against them? Do you know someone personally who is operating under this kind of self-deceived influence?
2. Demons know the name of Jesus — and if you are in Jesus, they know your name too. So let me ask you — have you ever had an experience where a demon spirit recognized you and obeyed your authority? Or have you heard of someone else who had that type of experience? Where was it, and what happened?
3. How would you recognize a demonic presence in your immediate surroundings?

And the evil spirit answered…
— Acts 19:15

Yesterday we saw how seven exorcists attempted to add the name of Jesus to their repertoire of magical incantations. As the story unfolds in Acts 19, we find that the seven sons of Sceva had a major confrontation — an unsuccessful one — with a demon-possessed man in Ephesus. As noted earlier, these exorcists saw Paul successfully using the name of Jesus to exercise authority over demons. Hoping to expel demons from a man in Ephesus, they added the name of Jesus to their list of magical names, even though they had no personal relationship with Jesus.

According to Acts 19:15, their attempt was futile. In fact, the verse says that the demon indwelling the man challenged them: “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”

The actual structure of the Greek text says, “And answering, the evil spirit said…” The Greek tense tells us this was not a single answer; rather, the demon spirit that possessed the man verbally responded to each attempt the seven exorcists made to drive it out. Thus, the spirit was answering each time they tried to use a new magical name, spell, or incantation to drive it out. This, of course, tells us that evil spirits have intelligence and the ability to speak and even to converse.

This ability of evil spirits to speak is evident in the four gospels and in the book of Acts. A study of the Scriptures makes it clear that demon spirits are intelligent:

• They can possess specific information about things, places, or people.
• They can know the names of people.
• They have the ability to indwell a human being and engage that person’s vocal apparatus to terrorize others, to blaspheme, to challenge, to make requests, and to scream, shriek, and cry out.

Vivid examples of evil spirits possessing intelligence and having the ability to speak can be found in Matthew 8:29 and Mark 5:7-12, where we read about the demoniac of Gadara. This tortured man was indwelt by a legion of demons that demonstrated both intelligence and the ability to speak. Mark 1:23-25 relates another example of this phenomenon. In this instance, evil spirits in a man spoke so freely that Jesus had to command them to stop talking and be silent.

Then in Mark 1:34, we are told that many sick people and those possessed with demons gathered to be healed and delivered by Jesus. The evil spirits referred to in this verse were so fluid in speech that Jesus actually had to forbid them to speak so they wouldn’t reveal who He was before the time. These are just a few New Testament examples demonstrating that demons have both intelligence and the ability to use the vocal organs of the person in whom they dwell.

Going back to Acts 19:15, we read that this man had an “evil spirit.” All demons are evil, but the word “evil” in this verse is the word poneros. If used in connection with animals, the word poneros depicts ferocious, savage, and dangerous beasts. Likewise, when this Greek word is used to describe spirits that indwell people, these spirits are ferocious, savage, dangerous, and malicious to those in whom they dwell and bring harm and danger to those who are in close proximity to them.

First, the evil spirits often create harmful and self-injuring behavior. The New Testament has many examples of such savageness. One example is found in Luke 9:37-39, where Luke tells us of a boy who periodically experienced demonic attacks that were injurious. Luke described it like this: “And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him” (v. 39). Matthew related the same account in Matthew 17:14 and 15, adding that the evil spirit would hurl the boy into fire and water. This was ferocious, savage, dangerous, and malicious treatment by the demon spirit against the one it possessed.

Another example is found in Mark 5:5, where we find the demoniac of Gadara, who was continually wandering in the mountains and among the tombs, crying out and “cutting himself with stones.” He continually wandered around that isolated region, crying out in pain and agony while slicing his body with sharp stones — and it was all the result of the “evil spirits” that indwelt him. It is no wonder that these spirits are called poneros in the Greek, for they truly are evil.

But this description of the destructive impact of demonic control in a person’s life should not cause us any fear. In my years of ministry, I have occasionally found myself in a confrontation with a demonized person. Just like the stories referred to in the Bible, I have heard demons speak, and I have seen them exercise physical power beyond human ability. But in each case, I have also seen them wilt and shrink when the name of Jesus is employed against them. We must remember that Jesus taught, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…” (Mark 16:17).

If you really know Jesus as your Lord and Savior — if you are in Christ — you can be sure that you have authority over demonic powers in the power of His name. Unlike the exorcists who used magic and incantations to manipulate the spirit realm and failed, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and you are given the name of Jesus to take authority over and to cast out demons. You are empowered by the Spirit of God and have real God-given authority in the spirit realm!

I am so thankful that the Bible clearly shows us that demonic powers shrink back at the name of Jesus. In fact, spirits are so fearful of that name that James 2:19 says demons “tremble” in the presence of faith and the name of Jesus. The word “tremble” is the Greek word phrisso, which means to bristle, as when the hairs stand up on a person’s neck when he is suddenly “spooked” or startled by an unexpected noise, etc.

This means that even though demons may have intelligence to speak and power to be able to put forth superhuman strength, none of that helps them when they find themselves in the presence of a believer exercising his authority by faith in the name of Jesus. That prospect sends them into shock, panic, and dismay. Figuratively, it causes the hair to stand up on their necks. It terrifies them!

As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit living in you and you have the name of Jesus Christ to use at your disposal. That means you are in a position to make demons tremble! And it doesn’t stop there. You also have the power to cast them out in Jesus’ name, just as promised by Christ in Mark 16:17.

So the next time you find yourself in the presence of evil, don’t you shrink back in fear. Release your faith and lift your voice to take authority over the devil’s strategies in the name of Jesus — and as you do, you’ll send those evil, malevolent powers scurrying away in terror! Then as you release the peace and the love of God in Jesus’ name, His power will go into operation to calm those who had been adversely affected by that demonic oppression and turn that situation completely around according to God’s purposes and to His glory!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am inspired and thankful to learn I have authority that is given to me because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and His matchless name that He has entrusted to me. When I encounter situations where demonic power is present, I thank You for giving me the boldness to take authority and to expel those powers in Jesus’ name!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. The devil is minor compared to the awesome power of Christ that indwells me. When I speak the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the spirit-realm listens and obeys. I am in Christ, and Christ is in me. When I speak in Jesus’ name against demon powers, it is like Christ is speaking through me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever had an experience with demonic intelligence like Acts 19:15 depicts? When was that experience, and what happened?
2. What did you learn from today’s Sparkling Gem that you never knew about demons and our authority over them? This is a very important subject for Christians, so we need to know what the Bible teaches (see Ephesians 6:10-18)!
3. Have you ever had an experience binding or casting out a demon spirit? When did that happen? What was the result?

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure thee by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
— Acts 19:13,14

Today I want to talk to you about the spiritual role of fathers — and the immense impact they have upon the lives of their children. I want to use an example from Acts 19 to make the point, and I ask you to seriously consider the ramifications of what you are about to read. This is not a passage that is normally used to teach about the influential role of fathers, but it tells of a father who started out right but who went astray and, in doing so, led his seven sons astray with him.

Acts 19:13-17 relates this account:

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure thee by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Acts 19:13 specifically uses the word “exorcists” to describe the activity of Sceva and his seven sons. The word “exorcists” is derived from the Greek word exorkidzo, which depicts those who adjured, implored, and begged demon spirits to obey. With no real authority over the spirits, these exorcists resorted to their spells, charms, incantations, and magical names to try to coax evil spirits to cooperate with them.

Acts 19:14 goes on to tell us that the father of these seven sons was a man named Sceva. It says, “And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.”

“Who was Sceva?” This man’s identity has been a subject of great debate among biblical scholars over the years. There is no record that a “chief of the priests” of the Jews ever lived in Ephesus. Hence, there are scholars who believe the Greek word used for “chief priest” indicates that Sceva was a renegade Jew who had backslidden from his Jewish roots and had become involved in the worship of Artemis at Ephesus. Therefore he was, or had been at some time, a chief priest in the worship of Artemis.

Making all of this even more interesting is the fact that the name “Sceva” isn’t a Jewish name. It is a Hellenized version of a Latin word that means left-handed — which in the vernacular of the First Century was slang that referred to someone who was untrustworthy, perverse, reprobate, a wretch, or a scoundrel. It is entirely possible that the name “Sceva” wasn’t even this man’s real name. It may have been a fictitious name inserted by Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, to express his opinion of this apostate Jew who converted to paganism and practiced it with his seven sons.

If these suggestions are true, the text would then convey the following idea: “And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew — a wretched, reprobate scoundrel who advertised himself as being great and who served as one of the high-ranking priests in the worship of Artemis — a man known for practicing pagan exorcism with his seven sons.”

With all this in mind, it seems likely that this Jewish man named Sceva converted to paganism and practiced occult rituals forbidden by the Old Testament — and then led his seven sons into the same practice. It is the perfect example of a man who has wandered away from the truth — and certainly a poor spiritual example of a father. Because of his own abandonment of the Word of God, this man led his sons right along with him into a backslidden spiritual condition — to the point that they even became involved in the activities of the occult.

When I meditate on this passage of Scripture, it always makes me want to pray for fathers in this critical hour. I pray that fathers will be spiritual leaders in their homes and will lead this next generation in the direction of a deep commitment to Christ and an authentic, intimate relationship with the Person and power of the Holy Spirit.

If you know a father who is leading his children astray by a wrong example, pray for him to change. God can change even the hardest heart. And if you are a father or mother of this next generation, make it a matter of serious prayer and determine to wake up to the awesome responsibility God has charged you with to lead and provide a godly influence for your children and the younger generations in your life. You have the potential of changing young lives as you lead others through your authentic and godly example.

If you are a father or mother, you are able to help teach your children to walk in obedience to Jesus and the Word of God. Let the example of Sceva stress again to you the incredible influence you have on your children. Then make a fresh commitment today to be a godly influence that leads your children in one direction only — on God’s good path that leads to life!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, in this critical hour, it is so important for parents to adhere closely to the Word of God in order to guide this young generation along the path that fulfills Your plan for their lives. I pray for myself and for other fathers and mothers who represent Your Kingdom — that our hearts will remain steadfast and strong in the truth of Your Word. We will not be like Sceva, who led his sons astray because of his own wayward and hardened heart. Instead, we will be true spiritual leaders in our homes so that we can not only teach our children with right words, but also train and lead them by the example of our lives in the direction of a deep commitment to Christ and an authentic, intimate relationship with the Person and power of the Holy Spirit. I make a fresh commitment today to be a godly influence in my children’s lives, always pointing them to the path that leads to life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I accept my divinely ordained responsibility as a parent to lead as a godly influence for my children and the younger generation in my life. I have the potential of changing young lives as I live an authentic example of the character and the ways of God the Father before them. I continually rely upon Heaven’s wisdom to help me teach my children to walk in obedience to Jesus and the Word of God. I make a fresh commitment today to be a consistent example of obedience and love who leads my children in one direction only: God’s good path!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of parents who wandered from the Lord and thereby affected the spiritual direction that their children took in life? What commitments have you made to the Lord to make sure you never wrongly influence those who look to you as an example or a guide?
2. Can you think of specific ways you can strengthen the godly example you are called to live before your children and the young generations?
3. What did you learn new from today’s Sparkling Gem that has never been explained to you before? How will that truth affect your life from this day forward?