Led by the Spirit: Journey Through the Book of Acts Part 2ਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 12: God’s Power is for His Glory

Imagine stumbling upon a magical lamp that grants miraculous wishes with a simple rub. In the story of Aladdin, we see the seemingly limitless power of the lamp to bring about extraordinary miracles. Yet, when it fell into the hands of a greedy sorcerer who sought to misuse its power for selfish gain, it ultimately led to his downfall.

This story echoes the spiritual context of Acts 19, where the city of Ephesus was immersed in pagan magic and occult practices. People were captivated by the allure of supernatural power, seeking it through spells and incantations. Yet, in the midst of this spiritual darkness, God displayed His true power through extraordinary miracles performed by Paul (v11-12). These miracles weren’t for personal glory but served to authenticate the Gospel and draw people to Christ.

In contrast, the seven sons of Sceva attempted to use the name of Jesus as a tool for their own gain, trying to perform exorcisms without truly knowing Him. Their failure was dramatic — they were overpowered by the very spirit they sought to cast out, leaving them “naked and bleeding” (v16). Unlike Paul, who was empowered by a genuine relationship with God, the sons of Sceva failed to understand that God’s power cannot be manipulated or exploited.

This incident became a turning point. It awakened a reverential fear among the people, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor (v17). Many who had once placed their trust in magic and the occult publicly repented, burning their extremely costly scrolls as an act of surrender. Through this, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (v20).

As we end the conference devotions by reflecting on this passage, it challenges us to examine our own lives and ministries. How do we honor the name of Jesus? Do we, like the sons of Sceva, call upon His name only when it benefits us—seeking miracles or blessings for our own purposes? Or do we truly know, love, and follow God for who He is, rather than what He can do for us?

God is indeed able to perform miracles according to His will and purposes, but miracles are not the sum of who He is. He is far greater — our Holy, Sovereign Lord and Savior, worthy of our wholehearted devotion and fellowship. May we approach Him with reverence, seeking not just His works but His heart, and honouring His name in all that we do.

Reflect:

• Miracles are not the sum of our God. Ask God to help us seek Him for who He is and to deepen our relationship with Him
• Do we approach God with reverence and humility, or do we treat His power as a means to our own ends? Take some time to ask God to search our hearts and reveal to us if there is any offensive way in us that requires sincere repentance and turning away.