Scripture~
Deuteronomy 31-32, Psalm 95, Acts 19

     So, in both Old Testament passages . . . I mean, I don’t get it. These are a people that literally ‘saw’ the works of God. They saw the river turn to blood, the locust, the death of the first born, the splitting of the red sea, manna from heaven, countless victories without losing a soul, overcoming impossible battles . . . and yet they would turn away? Today we do not see God move in such a direct manner as these people did; I mean they had a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night . . . we have only our faith. Mind you there is evidence of our faith; and He is quite real . . . but we don’t see pillars of fire or burning bushes on YouTube ya know? So how is it that one could lose sight so quickly and easily?
     What continues to speak to me or what I seem to be getting the most of out of the Acts passages both those of the past and todays is the attitude. Both that of the Apostles and the other players; even the demons. In Acts 19 verses 11 through 16 we find these Jewish Exorcist who think that it is the mere letter’s of the name that give them power to exorcise. To me this is much akin to those who think the mere knowledge of Christ means they have salvation. It takes more than head knowledge though, it’s a conversion, a changing of the heart and something that effects you deeply. Seven men go into a house to exorcise and the demon says, “Jesus I know, Paul I recognize, but who are you?” and then the demon proceeds with not only beating up each of the seven men but ripping their cloths from them as they run out of his house “wounded and naked”. To me this reinforces the idea that we are nothing and\or no body without Jesus. When we pray and follow Christ our names get out there in the spiritual realm; as that continues we become feared depending upon our level of faithfulness, prayer, and commitment. The more we rely on Christ the greater respect and fear our name spreads into the demon world. In this quote it seems almost like a pecking order. Jesus I know . . . because they all know the son of God; Paul I recognize . . . and why should he not as Paul had been doing a great work in the battle against darkness . . . but who are you . . . The men thought they could just use the name with no meaning behind it as if it were some cheap incantation such as “Hocus-Pocus” . . . unfortunately they found out rather quickly that just plain knowledge of Christ is not enough. Christ has to be “in” you and all around you.