Paul
was at Ephesus. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even
handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their
illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them (Acts 19:11-12). This
invited imitations from some vagabond Jews. They saw the power of Paul and how
he cast out the evil spirits in the name of Christ. And so, they went about
intending to cast out the evil spirits by invoking the name of Christ and the
apostle: “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” But the evil
spirit replied them: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (Acts
19:15). Then, the evil spirit overpowered them and gave them such a
beating that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
For
sure we know the devil knew Christ. But the devil also knew Paul. Why? Paul was
winning people to Christ; the devil didn’t like it. The devil knows who his
competitors are; Paul is taking away his business. The devil knows every true
believer of Christ. The question is: Does the devil know your name?
The
devil will know your name if you are a Christian. The devil does not want
anyone to be saved; he wants everyone for himself. He is not bothered by those
who are atheists or believers in other religions. He is concerned when someone
believes in the gospel and is saved. He will try to prevent anyone from
believing: “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth
it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in
his heart” (Matthew 13:19).
The
devil will know your name when you study the bible and know the truth (John
8:32). The devil is not concerned when you believe a lie. He knows no one can
be saved by believing a false doctrine. He will keep sowing the seeds of false
doctrines in the world. But, he is concerned when a person starts to study the
word of God and knows the truth. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in
the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).
The
devil will know your name when you are living the Christian lifestyle. The
devil is not bothered if a Christians prays and study the bible as long as he
does not live the Christian life. The devil is happy when a Christian continues
to sin and lives according to the world; he is not going to bother this
Christian. But he will lay all temptations to seduce a Christian who has been
transformed. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The
devil knew Job because Job was faithful and walked with God (Job 1:1). Hence,
he tried all means to tempt Job to sin and to curse God. But Job remained
steadfast and did not blame God (Job 1:22). He sets the example for all who are
walking with God that we can overcome the wiles of the devil. “There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1
Corinthians 10:13).
If
the devil knows your name because you are a faithful Christian, then, you know
you are walking right with God. He will try all ways and means to seduce you
and make you quit on God. But we can be like Job. We have God with us. He will
not forsake us as long we remain faithful to Him (Hebrews 13:5). We will have
this assurance: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for
us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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