Great Exploits 2 | Sons of Sceva

Today’s reading comes from the book of Acts, Chapter 19, verses 11-16;

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 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?” 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.

Exorcists usually cast out demons as a business. Well, at least that’s what we’ve seen portrayed in movies. Now the sons of Sceva were in the business, but this time, they made no cash. The evil spirit knew Paul, and the Jesus whom he preached. But it didn’t know these sons of Sceva.

In the Spirit, they had no bearing nor authority. They were clouds without rain. As I read this portion of text, what echoed in mind was Daniel 11:32, which says, ‘those who know their God shall be strong, and do mighty exploits.’

The sons of Sceva didn’t know this God. They didn’t know the Jesus Paul preached. Paul however, knew that this Jesus had received all authority in Heaven and on earth. And that that authority had been given to him as well. By default, the evil spirits’ ministries international recognized Paul whichever town he went to, for the authority’s limitations where none.

The centurion understood this, thus he didn’t need Jesus to go to his house. These spirits understand authority the same way. You only fall victim if you do not know how it works. Which brings me to the next point; many think being merely born again is enough. They call upon the Jesus their pastors preach, but don’t actually know Him. Such must beware, as such a day they’d encounter too.

Yes, His people perish because of the lack of knowledge. He confessed. The knowledge here transcends. Even if you’re born again, you have to understand what kind of authority you’ve been given through Christ. The authority to trample over snakes and scorpions and all power of the enemy for example. Can you imagine the scope of this?! And on top of it, there’s an additional disclaimer: and nothing shall by any means hurt (or harm) you!

Jesus knowing you is a given. It’s general for everyone. But not everyone knows Jesus. Thus, their bearing won’t either resound in the Spirit. The principalities won’t leave depending mostly on the first knowing and the second knowing.

The Hebrew word ‘know’ inclines towards intimacy. ‘And Adam knew Eve and they had a child.’ Those who KNOW their God shall be strong and do great exploits. Exploits are opening a blind eye. Great Exploits are what no eye has seen or ear heard. What’s going to determine how great your exploits will be is how much you know God!

The more you know Him, the greater exploits you’ll do! This is the first knowing. Like a bride gets to know a groom. This is the latter.

The second knowing here is the first in the physical world. In our world, man and woman have to first get to know each other before they can say ‘I do’. For God, we begin with ‘I do’, then we learn what tickles Him later. Alongside His tickles is the general knowledge: the one that when we have we won’t perish. The one which informs us of our influence and affluence and authority.

By intimacy I don’t mean you’ll sleep with God like the intimates we’ve seen in movies. The element of intimacy here is time. The marrieds spend more time together up until the bed; to a point where they are each other’s best friend. Can you say that about God? Can you say you’ve spent most time together? Or it’s just when you run out that you remember Him!

As you selah on that, let’s remember that we are the bride, and Christ is the groom. When we get married, the lady receives the man’s name (which is Mrs. Christ in this case) thus bearing the authority that comes with the name. This is how Paul was recognized by the spirit. These kind understand military hierarchy and so they know who has authority, and who hasn’t! Who can kick them out a body and who doesn’t!

When you understand this, your name shall be added to the list when the demons come saying, “Jesus we know, Paul we know…” They’ll add, “Biggie we know too (insert your name)” as they question a modern day son of Sceva somewhere out there.

Nahum 1:7 says God knows those that trust Him. It’s a duality. He takes keen note of those pursuing Him in knowledge. These are they He’ll not deny during judgement, and I pray you receive witness as being one of them.

Other than that, the main point here is; KNOW, KNOW, KNOW GOD! He is limitless… and though you can’t reach His end, you can learn as much about Him to the best of your ability.

With the knowledge of Him comes strength! (…shall be strong) And with that strength comes the ability to do what no eye has seen (…and do great exploits) Knowledge precedes strength. And strength precedes great exploits.

With each knowledge you receive, comes a different level or higher grace of strength to enable you do greater than what your ancestors did; to do greater than what the apostles did. Heck, to do even greater than what Jesus did! He Himself said greater works than He did would we do.

This strength is of mind, of heart and of faith. Jesus knew God more, and so He pertained strength enough to believe that even the winds and waves could obey Him. The twelve-year-old Jesus battling the pharisees at the temple didn’t have that strength. He hadn’t known His God to a particular degree.

The more Jesus knew God, the more strength He gained to carry the cross and redeem all mankind to God (which was a great exploit)…

Perhaps that big dream in you only needs you to avail more time for God, to know Him more which in turn will avail more strength for you to believe that you can do it—and then you will!

Conclusively, know this one true God personally, and you won’t be a modern-day son or daughter of Sceva!

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Daniel 11:32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out [great exploits.]

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For Part One, read here