12
In The Name Of Jesus
Marsha KochiActs 19:13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
The seven sons of Sceva were probably doing this for power, recognition, and money. They were not walking with Jesus, nor had they any relationship with Him. The devil knows who he can and cannot toy with. Without a relationship with Jesus, it's merely name dropping, to say "in the Name of Jesus", and expect something to happen. The devil knows who Jesus is, is threatened by Him, and he knows that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
I realize that name dropping has many forms. I can profess to be a Christian, but my heart may be far from honoring Him. I need to always remember that my commitment as a Believer cannot be taken lightly. I must choose, to walk according to His ways. When I pray, and I say, in the Name of Jesus, I do not want to use His name in vain. To honor Him with my heart is much more important to Him, then mere words.
Father, thank You for helping me to understand the ways, the path, that You've chosen for me to walk. Help me to honor You in the way that I live, in the things that I have within my heart. Let me not use Your Name in vain.
