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

The Fire of the Holy Spirit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8

“The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God.” – A.W. Tozer

The seven sons of Sceva discovered a hard truth: demons recognize real authority. They feared Jesus. They respected Paul. But seven unarmed, unfilled men? One demon shredded them and left them humiliated. Their failure wasn’t in words—it was in power. They had none.

This is a sobering reminder: demons are powerful, but they are not all-powerful. Without Christ, we’re no match for them. But with Christ, demons are no match for us. Authority flows not from human strength but from divine presence. The Holy Spirit within us makes us stronger than the forces of hell aligned against us.

Acts 1:8 is a promise and a warning. The promise is power—the Spirit equips us to be witnesses, to stand firm, and to walk in victory. The warning is that without Him, we are powerless. The Christian life was never designed to be lived in human effort. It is impossible without the Spirit. That’s why being filled with Him isn’t optional—it’s essential.

The devil trembles not at our strength, but at Christ’s power in us. A Spirit-filled man is dangerous because he doesn’t operate in his own capacity. He walks with supernatural boldness, discernment, and resilience. The Spirit gives wisdom when confusion abounds, courage when fear surrounds, and power when weakness threatens to overwhelm.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are a striking example of Spirit-fueled conviction. When commanded to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, they refused—even under the threat of a blazing furnace. Their answer was stunning: “The God we serve is able to deliver us…but even if he does not, we will not bow.” That’s what Spirit-filled courage looks like—faith that stands tall even when fire is guaranteed.

And God didn’t just deliver them from the fire—He walked with them in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar looked and saw a fourth man in the flames, “one like a son of the gods.” The Spirit’s presence turned a furnace of destruction into a stage for God’s glory. When the men came out, they weren’t even scorched—the only thing that burned were the ropes that had bound them. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit: He sets men free in the very places designed to destroy them.

This is what it means to be Spirit-filled. You may still face the furnace, but you won’t face it alone. The fire around you will not consume you, because the fire within you—the fire of the Holy Spirit—is stronger. And just like with those three young men, your Spirit-filled life becomes a testimony that even kings and cultures cannot deny.

The Spirit also purifies. Just as fire burns away impurities, the Holy Spirit burns away sin, pride, and compromise. He doesn’t just give you gifts—He shapes your character. A Spirit-filled man doesn’t just talk about power; he walks in holiness, love, and self-control. That’s why Paul urged Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.” Fire must be tended, stirred, and protected.

Hell knows the difference between empty religion and a Spirit-filled man. Religion can go through the motions, but it cannot move mountains. Only Spirit-filled lives change families, cities, and nations. When you depend daily on the Spirit, you carry heaven’s fire into earth’s darkest corners—and the enemy flees.

The Brave Truth: The devil fears not men with loud voices, but men filled with the Spirit’s fire. Empty religion imitates—Spirit-filled men ignite.

Action Step: Pray specifically for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit today. Ask Him to ignite courage, purity, and power in your life.

Reflection Question: Am I daily depending on the Spirit, or on my own strength?