Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in Heaven.
The New Testament is full of references to demonic spirits. One-third of Jesus’ Ministry was devoted to casting out demons (devils). The fact is, Satan, fallen angels, and demonic spirits are all real and they are active in the world today. In fact, Satan is the prince of the air and the ruler of this world. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:1-2)
People who have not been Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb are spiritually lost and headed for eternity in Hell. While they are alive on earth, they are counted among the sons of disobedience; the children of Satan. These people are evil in nature because they are ruled by Satan and oftentimes possessed by one or more demonic spirits. At times we come face to face with these demons and there are many references to this in the Word of God.
One such reference is found in the 19th Chapter of the Book of Acts. Here we read that some Jewish exorcists were attempting to cast a demon out of a man in the Name of Jesus. The demon actually spoke to them using the man as a mouthpiece. 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.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-15)
The Jews in this case were not saved and born again. Therefore, they had no authority to use the Name of Jesus. The demon knew this and simply answered them back “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
Satan, fallen angels, and demonic spirits all know who Jesus is and they also know that they must obey when called out by a BELIEVER. Everyone on earth does not have the authority to use the Name of Jesus successfully. Only truly born-again believers have been given this authority and demons know it. Jesus spoke to the seventy believers that He sent out to minister to the lost: Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
The demon referenced in Acts 19:13-15 told them that he knew who Jesus was and he knew who Paul was but he did not know them and he did not have to obey them even though they spoke the Name of Jesus.
Jesus gives a strict warning about this in the Sermon on the Mount. Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in Heaven. (Matthew 7:21) There are many people in “ministry” today who are what I call name droppers. They use the Name of Jesus but they do not have the authority to do so. Those who are truly Saved and born again have the authority to use the Name of Jesus and the enemy must obey.
Seek the Truth. God is about to …...….turn the tide
Thank you Jesus. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
