"I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" Acts 19:15 NLT. The evil spirits said they knew who Jesus was. They also knew Paul because Paul had been presenting Jesus to the Jews and Greeks, and he had been casting out demons too. Paul had a relationship with Jesus and as such, had the permission to use the name of Jesus. The relationship is what give you the permission. Using the name of Jesus, praying in the name of Jesus is not just adding; "in Jesus name" at the beginning or end of your prayers like a talisman. No, praying in the name of Jesus means you are representing him and asking God the Father in prayer on his behalf. One thing is clear from this verses, even demons can tell us apart between those who have a relationship with Jesus and charlatans who are in it for business. The sons of Sceva were in it for the fame, they did not know Jesus.
My encouragement this morning; do you know Jesus? Say you had to cast out a demon, what would they say about you?
