ENHANCE YOUR SPIRITUAL STATUS
Mouthing the name of Jesus is not enough, you must understand that your status in the spirit world matters.
Acts 19:15 KJ2000
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?
Dear Believer,
Everyone has a spiritual status. Each of us is known as something, and for something, in the spirit realm.
I have seen again and again as someone shouts and does all kinds of demonstrations to cast out a demon, and yet is unsuccessful. Then along comes another person and speaks calmly to cast out that demon, and the demon obeys.
The reason is, the demons or other forces of Satan don’t only respond to the name of Jesus. If it were so, anyone — Believer or not — would take up the Name and use it. But it doesn’t work that way.
You must first have an identity in Jesus Christ. Then you must understand that your authority needs to grow.
The sons of Sceva thought they had studied and understood the way Paul cast out demons. They approached a demon-possessed man and commanded the demon to leave.
“We command you in the name of Jesus, the one whom Paul preaches.” (Acts 19:13).
If there’s one thing we can learn from demons, here is it.
First, the demon wasn’t affected at all, even though the name of Jesus was mentioned. In fact, when the demon responded, he mentioned the name of Jesus and nothing happened to it, contrary to what some people believe that demons can’t mention the name of Jesus.
The demon told them, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul.”
After a pause during which the demonized man must have looked around wondering who these people were, he said, “But who are you guys?”
These guys couldn’t answer. They had no identity in the spirit world that could frighten the demon. The demon weighed them and sized them up, and found them empty. They had come to cast a demon out, but that demonized man pounced on them and cast them out after stripping the seven of them naked!
Believer, mouthing the name of Jesus is not enough, you must understand that your status in the spirit world matters. Carnal people are known by the devil and are not respected by demons. Those who are walking in unbelief can’t bother the devil; they will be ignored even if they are shouting the name of Jesus.
That man in whom the demon was had never met Jesus, and I’m sure he’d never met Paul, otherwise the demons in him would have been cast out. Yet the demon in him could say, “I know Paul.”
News travels far in the spirit world. Your time of prayer, fasting, studying the Word is being noticed by everyone in the spirit realm, whether angels or demons. They know as you grow or diminish in spiritual authority.
Enhance your spiritual status. Strengthen your fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Do not joke with your time of prayer. Exercise your spirit continually. Then when spiritual confrontations come you won’t stand ashamed before inconsequential demons.
Have a great day.
Your friend,
Deon.
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Deon Akintomide is a Pastor, author and publisher. He teaches the Word of God and ministers healing to the body and the mind. He is the founding minister of the LifeHouse Global Missions and the Pastor of The LifeHouse Kingdom Centre in Lagos. Deon is married to Tola Akintomide.
