0429. The Testimony of a Demon

The Testimony of a Demon

"And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" (Act_19:15).

During the ministry of Paul, in Ephesus, God wrought special miracles by his hand, so that "from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them."

Some wandering Jews, exorcists, thought to attempt the same miraculous work, in the name of the Lord, demanding that the evil spirits depart out of those whom they possessed. The sons of Sceva did this and immediately the evil spirit said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?"

What a testimony was this! A testimony from the world of demons as to their estimate of the Apostle Paul.

1. "Jesus I know," said the evil spirit. Yes, all the world of demons knew Jesus. He had met satan and all his forces and vanquished them. Yes, they knew Jesus. They knew Him, for "He cast out many demons and suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew Him."

Yes, the demons knew Jesus. They knew how in Capernaum a man possessed with a demon, had cried out: "What have we to do with Thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee, Who Thou art, the Holy One of God."

Yes, the demons knew Jesus. They knew how at Gadara they had cried, "Jesus, Thou Son of God, Most High;" and how they had besought Christ to permit them to enter into the swine. Yes, they knew Jesus.

Yes, the demons knew Jesus. They knew Him as the One Who had cast down Beelzebub, the prince of demons; they knew satan as the strong man, but they knew Jesus as the "One stronger than he," Who despoiled the strong man and divided the spoils.

2. The demons knew Paul–knew that Paul had once been a chief hater and slayer of the saints.

The demons knew Paul–knew of the Damascus road and of Paul’s salvation; knew of his commission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles–yes, they knew Paul.

The demons knew Paul,–knew that he was clothed with a power Divine; knew that he was commissioned to turn men from the power of satan unto God. Yes, they knew Paul.

The demons knew Paul–knew that Paul was held in the hand of God; that he was impervious to their attack; that he was wearing the whole armor of God; that every fiery dart they cast fell before his shield of faith.

3. The demons did not know the sons of Sceva. They said: "Who are ye?" Men who know not God, had better beware how they fight against satanic powers. Man, unpanoplied, without the Christian’s armor, better bring against satan no railing accusation. Man is no match against the devil.

Even the chief of God’s angels, or archangels, must in contending, against satan, meet him in the name of the Lord.

The devil makes the world to tremble. He is the cunning deceiver, the accuser of saints and the master of principalities and powers.

"Who are ye?" What sarcasm there was in those words! The demons seemed to say: "We know Jesus and we know Paul, but who are ye, you little nobodies!"

Beloved, if we are going forth in God’s ministry we must go clothed of God, filled with the Spirit, and with the Word of God at our tongue’s end.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR