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Day 180: They Took It Upon Themselves

The Daily Word: Tuesday, June 29th, 2021
2 Kings 15:1-16:20
Acts 19:13-41
Psalm 147:1-20
Proverbs 18:4-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
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.” – Acts 19:13

The Apostle Paul was casting out demons in the name of Jesus everywhere he went. So “some of the itinerant…exorcists” (v 13) and “seven sons of…a Jewish chief priest” (v 14) tried it on for size. After all, how hard could it possibly be to declare the name of Jesus over someone and see a demon flee? But their experiment backfired. Not only was the man not delivered; but “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” (v 16).

What was their big mistake? Why did it work for Paul and not for them? Because they “took it upon themselves.” Paul did it for God! He did it because the Holy Spirit led him to do it. But the professional exorcists did it for them. They did it because they wanted to, not because God told them to!

Power comes where obedience is exercised. But power does not flow where God has not told you to go! Don’t try to cast out demons unless the Lord is with you. Ask for the anointing and the instructions, and then and only then set out in full faith and confidence that God will back you up everywhere you go!

Prayer:

Lord, I only want to do what You ask me to do! Keep me humble and obedient. Help me to rely on Your instructions and Your name! I only want to do exactly what You tell me to do: nothing more, and nothing less, in Jesus’ mighty name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

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