Spiritual Name-Dropper

Daily Reading: Acts 19

Scripture Focus: Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you? (Acts 19.15)

Devotional Thought:  I love Acts 19!  I love the story of Paul’s travelling to Ephesus where “he found some disciples.”  I love how he asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  I love how they were honest with him: “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit!”  I love how “the Holy Spirit came on them.”  I love how these Spirit-filled Christians had a huge impact: “All the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord…  They were all seized with fear… Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed...”

In the midst of all this spiritual activity, we read an intriguing story about “Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva."  Seeing the spiritual exploits of Paul and the Ephesian Christians, these seven brothers tried to duplicate Paul’s ministry: “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out!”  They were spiritual name-droppers!  They wanted the power and the respect of the name of Jesus without taking on the character of Jesus. In using his name without knowing his person, they brought judgment upon themselves!  The immediate judgment was a severe beating for these seven brothers, but there is also an eternal judgment for spiritual name-droppers: “Lord, Lord, didn’t we cast out demons in your name?”...  “Depart from me!  I never knew you!” (Matthew 7).

Are you a spiritual name-dropper?  Are you calling yourself Christian without taking on the character of Christ?  Are you seeking the peace and the power of Jesus without confessing him as the Lord of your life?  It is time for Christians to stop being name-droppers and start being genuine followers of Jesus!

Prayer: Grant, Lord, that I should never take your name "in vain", becoming a spiritual name dropper.  Instead, help me to take on the character of Christ as well as the name of Christ.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 72.17-20

17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!

18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.

19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!

20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.