“But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, ‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?’”
Acts 19:15 (NLT)
The sons of Sceva knew the name of Jesus, but they did not know Jesus. They were using His name like another line in an incantation, adding Him into their worldly methods because they had seen the power that moved through Paul. But there is a difference between using the name of Jesus and belonging to Jesus.
One day, an evil spirit decided to check their IDs. “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” That question was really, “Whose are you?” Without relationship with Jesus, they had no authority to use His name. Without surrender to Jesus, they had no power from Jesus. Without being made new by the blood of Jesus, they were standing in their own strength.
But when we are in Christ, the answer is different. When the enemy checks our ID, it says: child of God, believer, disciple, follower of the Way, chosen, and set apart. Our name is not what gives us authority. The name above every other name does. We do not have to fear evil when we are abiding in Jesus and standing on the promises of God.
So the question today is simple: what will the enemy see on your ID in a time of trouble? If all we have is our own name, we will not be able to stand. But if we are in relationship with Jesus, abiding in Him, and clothed in the armor of God, then we can stand in His authority. Jesus is the name above every other name, and we stand because we belong to Him.
Who are you? More importantly, whose are you?