Does the Devil Know Your Name? A 10-Day Brave Coaches Journeyნიმუში

Known in Heaven, Feared in Hell

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. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

“A man who is intimate with God is not intimidated by man—or by the devil.” Leonard Ravenhill

The story of the seven sons of Sceva is both sobering and inspiring. These men tried to use the name of Jesus without truly knowing Him. The result? All seven of them were overpowered by one demon who declared: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”

Here’s the reality: hell knows the difference between empty words and Spirit-filled authority. Paul was feared in the spiritual realm not because of his résumé, but because of his relationship with Jesus. The sons of Sceva had no intimacy with Christ, so they had no authority.

We cannot overlook how powerful demons are. One demonized man defeated seven grown men and left them beaten and humiliated. That should sober us. Alone, we are no match for spiritual darkness.

But here’s the good news: while one demon beat seven men, that same demon trembled at the name of Jesus. The difference wasn’t numbers—it was authority. Without Christ, men are vulnerable. With Christ, men are victorious. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11). Alone, we’re overpowered. In Him, we overcome.

Authority in Christ doesn’t come from church attendance or Christian vocabulary. It comes from intimacy with Jesus. When we walk closely with Him, His authority flows through us. The enemy recognizes who belongs to Christ—and he fears them. Men who merely know about Jesus have words but no power. Men who walk with Jesus carry heaven’s backing.

This passage also reminds us that the spiritual world is not impressed by titles, religion, or rituals. The sons of Sceva had religious heritage, but demons aren’t intimidated by empty religion. What they respect—and what they fear—is a man who carries the Spirit of the living God. Our authority comes only through surrender, obedience, and walking daily in the power of Christ.

Finally, notice the fruit of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Once the people witnessed the reality of spiritual authority, they burned their sorcery scrolls worth a fortune. True authority doesn’t just defeat darkness—it sparks revival. When men walk in real power with God, the culture around them begins to change. Families shift, workplaces feel different, and entire cities can be transformed.

The Brave Truth: Authority in Christ doesn’t come from knowing about Him, but from walking with Him. A man who abides in Jesus is known in heaven—and feared in hell.

Reflection Question: If the devil looked at my life today, would he see a man walking in Christ’s authority—or just words without power?

Action Step: Start your day declaring aloud: “I belong to Jesus. His Spirit lives in me. Darkness has no hold on me.”