Who Are You?
Read the Text: Acts 19
Memorize the Text: Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by his raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-21)
Consider the Text: Acts 19:11-20
If you engaged an evil spirit today, would they recognize you as a follower of Jesus? In Acts 19, certain Jewish leaders began to use the name of Jesus for personal gain and recognition. They sought to cast out evil spirits by invoking the name of Jesus, just like they witnessed the apostle Paul doing. As the Jewish leaders called out an evil spirit, the spirit responded, "Jesus I know, Paul I recognize, but who are you?" What a profound question that continues to echo through time and challenge our walk with Jesus.
The evil spirit KNEW Jesus. The evil spirit did not know Jesus as a personal Lord and Savior but knew that he was the Son of God. James later clarifies that demons believe God is one, and they shudder (James 2:19). So the evil spirit knew about Jesus and knew of the ultimate judgment the spirit would face because of Christ. Thus, the evil spirit acknowledges and believes in Jesus but fails to believe in a manner that brings salvation.
The evil spirit then stated that he RECOGNIZED Paul. The apostle Paul'sPaul's ministry centered on faithfulness to the Lord. He walked according to the ways of the Lord and served the Lord as a faithful instrument of the gospel. The activities of Paul's life revealed that he intimately held a relationship with Jesus and trusted him for everything. Paul worked in great spiritual power because he presented himself to the Lord as the vessel for the Lord to use. Thus, the evil spirit recognized Paul because of his life of walking in Christ.
The evil spirit stated to the religious leader that he DID NOT KNOW OR RECOGNIZE him. The Jewish leader used the name of Jesus for his benefit and profit. He did not want Jesus to alter his life; instead, he desired to use the Lord for personal gain. He used the name of Jesus with the attitude of what is in it for me. Thus, the Jewish leader's link to Jesus existed not for salvation but self-serving reasons. The spiritual fruit did not exist in his life, and he did not exist as a threat to the evil spirit. The leader said the right words but had the wrong heart.
Today, people who proclaim Christ need to read this verse and undergo a difficult, honest evaluation of their relationship with Jesus. Do you know Jesus intimately and personally, or do you only know about Jesus? If you engaged an evil spirit, would they recognize you the way they recognize the apostle Paul because of your faithful walk with the Lord? Would the evil spirit look at you and ask who you are? The evil spirit declared to the Jewish religious leader, “Jesus I know, Paul I recognize, but who are you?” Today, would you be recognized as a Christ-follower, or would you be questioned concerning who you are?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
