LIFE SCRIPTS

13 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.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 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. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Acts 19:13‭-‬20 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/act.19.13-20.NIV.

The power of Christ is made manifest among people in many ways. One way is through casting of evil spirits. Paul and other apostles had ministered many times to people who were demon possessed. Many had been set free by the power of Christ. So it seemed interesting that the sons of a priest would attempt this fete on a man possessed by an evil spirit. They came from a priestly household but noting is said about their relationship with Christ. Religion puts us in good standing in society but is not worth its salt before God. Believing in Christ is what matters. So when these seven guys tried to cast out this demon, it leaped on them, beat them and chased them away half naked. It must have been a scene to behold. But what did it do to those who witnessed it? They realized that there exists a hidden dark world of evil spirits. For those who didn’t believe in the spiritual world, they could now see and feel its effects. But also it was a wake up call to all that our religious standing is of no value if we don’t have a personal relationship with Christ. What matters…what stands the test of time is Christ living in us. Probably this is a story many of us need to hear in this age of sensationalization of the gospel. We need to preach Christ more. People need a relationship with Christ. This is what matters after all.