07/14/2026
There are some verses in the Bible that make you stop and think. There are others that make you laugh because you can't believe they actually happened. Acts 19:15 somehow manages to do both.
"Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" (ESV)
The seven sons of Sceva had watched Paul cast out demons in the name of Jesus and decided they could do the same thing. They didn't know Jesus personally, but they knew His name. Surely that was close enough...right?
Wrong.
The demon answered.
"Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
Then the man with the evil spirit attacked all seven of them. Seven against one should have ended one way. Instead, they ran away beaten, wounded, and without their clothes. That is about as public of a lesson as a person could possibly get.
It's funny until the point starts sinking in.
The sons of Sceva knew the right words, but they didn't know the Savior. They treated the name of Jesus like it was a magic formula instead of recognizing that His authority isn't something that can be borrowed. They wanted the power without the relationship. They wanted the authority without the surrender. They wanted what belonged to Jesus without belonging to Jesus.
That temptation hasn't gone away. It's possible to know Bible stories, quote verses, sing worship songs, wear the label "Christian," and still never truly know Christ. Knowing facts about Jesus is not the same as following Him.
One day, every title, every accomplishment, every opinion, every excuse, and every carefully built reputation will disappear. There will only be one question that matters.
Not, "Did you know about Jesus?"
But, "Did you know Him?"
Because there is an eternity of difference between knowing His name...and belonging to Him.
