FAITH CAPSULE: Claiming to be a believer is not enough to be carrying the power of God.

Acts 19

Itinerant Jewish exorcists that wanted to demonstrate what they do not carry in their life. The Jewish exorcists, after having witnessed miracle demonstrated through Paul the apostle, they attempted to demonstrate miracle just like Paul. It is written, “Then some of the 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.” (Acts 19: 13) Interestingly, the evil spirit could not identify the itinerant Jewish exorcists as they attempted demonstration of miracle. The evil spirit responded to the Jewish exorcists as recorded, “…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 prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:15-16) The itinerant Jewish exorcists’ demonstration does not line with they carry in the power of God to do miracle.
How are you attempting what you do not carry in the power of God? Are you answering to what you do not carry in the power of God?
As believers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, what you carry will identify who you are in the Lord. Whatever believers carry will serve as weapon against confronting challenges. Claiming to be a believer is not enough to be carrying the power in the name of Jesus. Today, so many form of itinerant Jewish exorcists are not in the few but in the plenty numbers. 2 Timothy 3:5 talked about the present Jewish exorcists, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power about what we are against…” As a believer, are you among noise makers that communicating what Christians are against and less noise communicating what Christians stand for? Is your demonstration not loud enough for an unbeliever to see Christ in you? If for example, at your workplace, there is a call for the persecution of believers in Christ, would you be identified as one that confesses Jesus? Do you think your way of life as a follower of Christ will be enough for your fellow worker to identify you as Christ follower or itinerant Jewish exorcists?
Man can be deceived but God cannot be deceived. Galatians 6:7 declared the truth stating, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” How long do you want to be like itinerant Jewish exorcists? What is it that will identify you as a Christ follower? Paul the Apostle certainly could not have been living in your neighborhood without being recognized as a believer but not as Jewish exorcists. Even if Paul chose to be silent, his believe would identify him. Do not be like the itinerant Jewish exorcists.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to be focus on Him.