Act 19:13-16 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” (14) Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. (15) But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (16) And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Like these strange Jewish exorcists, we have many people in our own day who claim the name of Jesus Christ for themselves and their “ministries,” but who are unknown to Christ and whose “power” is non-existent as the devils well know. As a result, they are not empowered by Christ’s Spirit and all of their works are a sham, leaving the oppressed in worse condition than before. Let me illustrate.
One of the words I watch for is “redeem.” You see it thrown around all the time, particularly in the “Christian” counseling arena. Redeeming marriage. Redeeming anger. Redeeming finances. Yada, yada, yada. Words like this are so over-used in so many areas that they become meaningless. So it is with the word “redeem.” Modern day counselors (or better, conjurers) publish their books and give their conference talks on “redemption.” Their purpose, they say, is to redeem your domestic abuser or your sexual predator child molester. Listen to them. Follow their formula and incantations and you will be redeemed from….whatever. Are you listening CCEF bigwigs?
But Jesus does not know them. And even the devils know they are powerless fakes.
Redemption is effected only by Jesus Christ – and He has already pulled it off on the cross. Christ died to redeem, to buy back, to set free, HIS people. The Christian is redeemed. Fully and completely. But Jesus did not die on the cross for your marriage. He did not shed His blood for your reconciliation with your rapist. He did not give Himself on the tree for your finances. No, He died for YOUR redemption from sin, from bondage to the devil, from the power of death. He redeemed you by effecting a perfect righteousness that becomes your righteousness through faith in Him. That is redemption.
Christ alone is our Redeemer. Christ alone is THE Redeemer. No one else.
So when these “biblical” counselors come along, as they so often do, promising to exorcise most anyone from their various ills, they come preaching a different gospel, a different Jesus, evidencing a different Spirit. Jesus does not know them. The devils laugh at them.
Only in this case they aren’t the ones who end up naked and wounded. Oh no. It is the oppressed, the downtrodden, the victims of evil that are injured. Of course, say these Scevites, it’s not their fault. The victims didn’t follow their incantations and formulas correctly. Guess these “redeemers” better write some more books for us so we can get it right next time. Oh, that will be $19.95 plus shipping.