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 the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 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 (Acts 19:13-16).

Happy Monday and welcome to a new week of exploring Spiritual Power in Everyday Places!  There is a lot going on in this week’s passage (Acts 19:8-20), so please take a moment now to read through it.

What went so wrong for the seven sons of Sceva?  They seemed to have a ministry of “driving out evil spirits,” which seems like a good thing, right?  And they seemed “open” to including the name of Jesus in their work, so that represents a step in the right direction, right?

Spiritual authority means having the right and the ability to speak and act in ways that bring the “spiritual atmosphere” around a person or situation into closer alignment with King Jesus and the life of his Kingdom.  If we are followers of Jesus, he has delegated to us a measure of his authority, to be used to release blessing and benefit into our everyday places: our own lives, households and family relationships; workplace and classroom; neighborhood and neighbors; our wider community and Chatham County.  How can we exercise spiritual authority rightly and avoid the fate of Sceva’s sons?

The key phrase in the previous paragraph – and the critical missing element for Sceva’s boys – is this: If we are followers of Jesus …  Like the Roman centurion we met last week (Luke 7:10-20), in order to exercise authority, we must first be under authority.  All genuine spiritual authority comes from and belongs to Jesus, and must be exercised according to his will and his ways.  “In the Name of Jesus” is not a magic formula or merely a technique we can use for our own ends.  

Note that Paul didn’t do anything in this passage.  It was the evil spirit who made the point for him!

So there’s a warning side of this week’s passage.  But don’t lose sight of the wonderful side.

Operating under and in the authority of King Jesus, Paul was part of God doing great things in Ephesus. God did “extraordinary” miracles: people healed and set free, questions answered, arguments demolished, doubts addressed, God’s Kingdom proclaimed and demonstrated. People chose to abandon the spiritual attitudes and practices that had ensnared and enslaved them (verses 17-20).  The Name of Jesus was not viewed as a lucky charm, but was held in high honor.  The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (verse 20).

We have been entrusted by Jesus with measures of his authority in and for our everyday places.  If we are willing and available, he will train us to use that authority wisely and well.

Lord, guard us from both our pride and our fear.  Keep us from trying to use your gifts for our own advantage -- and help us not to be afraid of stepping into all you call us to.  Continue your good work in us, that you might extend your good work through us.