BE The Real Deal!

Meanwhile, God did amazing miracles through Paul. ¹² People would take a handkerchief or article of clothing that had touched Paul’s skin and bring it to their sick friends or relatives, and the patients would be cured of their diseases or released from the evil spirits that oppressed them. Some itinerant Jewish exorcists noticed Paul’s success in this regard, so they tried to use the name of Jesus, the King, in an exorcism they were performing.

Imagine this: There are seven of them, all sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva, gathered around a demonized man in a house.

One of the Jewish Exorcists: I command you to depart, by the Jesus proclaimed by Paul!

Evil Spirit: Jesus I know. Paul I know. But who are you?

 Then the man leaps up, attacks them all, rips off their clothing, and beats them so badly that they run out of the house stark naked and covered in bruises.

~Acts 19:11-16

When I was growing older (but not up), this was one of my favorite stories because the arrogant fakes got their backsides handed to them in a big way.  Never have been a fan of fake.  Know any fake people?  The ones who are nice to the "right" people because it suits their needs and then they turn right around and stab the same people in the back.  Maybe you've been the stabber (I have) and perhaps you've been the stabbee (I have).  

  

I get to see it quite often.  People who speak fluent profanity until they see me standing there and then it's "Sorry Padre" and the mask goes in place hiding the genuine person for the extent of my stay. 

Look at today's Scripture.  We see the Seven sons of a Jewish priest trying to fake their way to success by claiming to be itinerant exorcists.  They saw that the Apostle Paul had been quite successful in fighting evil so they figured if they say the "right words" the evil will flee from them too.  Let me tell you something about the "right words"...they are HOGWASH!!!  God does not look at our outward appearance and certainly doesn't give too much credence to the "right words" we say in prayer.  God looks at the intentions of our heart!

What happened to the Sons of Sceva when they used the "right words" for the wrong reasons?  They got their butts handed to them in a HUGE way!

Be GENUINE!  Be Sincere!  Be Real!  Fake is not a good look for anyone!