Back in college, I had a creative writing professor who talked a lot about taking the Lord’s name in vain. That might seem strange. But this was a private Christian university, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to dive into spiritual themes in the middle of a conversation about internal rhymes. Since English majors can have colorful language, the subject of profanity often came up during writing workshops—especially if our workshop took place right after chapel.
Students held very different beliefs about what you should or shouldn’t say in a piece of poetry. But what our professor wanted us to understand was that taking the Lord’s name in vain was about more than using or not using a specific word or name, even though it’s true that words have power. It was more about heart posture and behaviors stemming from our beliefs about who God is.
We see this happening with the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19. These men were exorcists, someone who casts out demonic spirits (v.13). Since this passage is the only one in Scripture where we see these seven men mentioned, we don’t know their track record when it comes to their practice. But we do know it doesn’t work here. Not when they try to illegitimately evoke the name of Jesus. “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” says the possessed man (v.15). This verse makes me shudder!
What we have is a case of people using the Lord’s name in vain. After these exorcists witness Paul’s power, they want to capitalize on it, but the very spirits that they try to call out dismantle their strategy by calling them phonies. Because they didn’t have faith in Jesus Himself, their attempts were just a mockery and the evil spirits saw that.
In this story, God makes it clear: simply using the name of Jesus isn’t enough to step into His power. You also have to believe in Him. You have to be transformed by Him. During this era of Christianity, it was in the testimony of lives transformed by Jesus that we see true power over darkness, Paul’s testimony being one of the most memorable. It was “in this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed” (v.20). The same is true of our testimonies today.
Thinking back on those creative writing workshops, I’m so glad our professor took the time to not just teach us about words but also address our hearts. Are we using Jesus to further our own goals or ideas? Are we doing things in the name of God that are dishonoring Him? I know I’ve done this in the past. I pray we’re challenged and inspired today to not just acknowledge the power of Jesus’s name, but to have true faith and trust in Him.
It could be terrifying to go up against demons with an ‘unloaded’ prayer.
taylor, oh my word. this sounds a lot like a situation i was in two years ago. if you felt that tug in your heart that things weren’t right, listen to it, and continue to pray over it. as for why he brought this man into your life, i don’t have an answer, and we don’t always get one this side of eternity. much love for you, taylor, praying for discernment and clarity!
I guess I musta hit enter before I was done… sorry!
Hi, She’s! I am having such a hard time doing this study each day. I am in the word each day, but not this study… And this one is so precious! I feel like I know many of you, even though we aren’t next-door neighbors! (I grew up in SoCal… the Long Beach area, Victoria and Jennifer… you were dialoging about that. I am now in the Midwest and love it!) Praying for those who requested prayer and also offering prayers of thanksgiving when those prayers are answered! (Glad your appt. went well VICTORIA E.) Sleep well tonight, sisters! Maybe I’ll be here again, doing tomorrow’s study IN THE MORNING before going to preschool rather than “catching up” at night. Blessings to you all!
Hi, She’s! I am having such a hard time doing this study each day. I am in the word each day, but not this study. And this one is so precious! I feel like I know many of you, even though we aren’t next-door neighbors! (I grew up in SoCal,Victoria and Jennifer… you were dialoging about that. I am now in the Midwest and love it!)
Seeing people give themselves completely over to idolatry like we saw in this chapter of Acts is a very sad and depressing thing to see. And the confusion that idolatry creates is so hectic and chaotic.
So many of us sometimes fall in to idolatry because these things that we worship promise us that they would comfort us.. and that always falls flat. Our savior, our God, is the only thing that will not only comfort us, but save us.. and make us Holy.
I see so many people today give themselves over to idolatry and it makes me very sad inside. It really isn’t worth it. I know how amazing life with God is.. and how much He loves us.. you just want them to see it too.. but like I said earlier we cannot force anyone into the faith.. we can only pray for them.
I usually like to say this prayer for my family. It’s a prayer for the conversion of Unbelievers. Im posting this prayer from my book of Catholic prayers. I pray that we can all say it and speak it over the world so people don’t lose themselves completely to idolatry:
O Holy Spirit of truth, we invoke You to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the midst of us; to incline their hearts to love Your word, and to believe the teachings of Your Church; give them the courage to accept the faith and openly profess it (again, something we should ALL do); that they may come into union with You and the Father, through Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen
Ruth, I too have struggled with anxiety all of my life. Please don’t be ashamed about it and know that you aren’t alone in your struggles. We all have our own internal struggles. I will be praying for God’s peace to flood your heart and for direction on next steps for you. I know a Christian counselor really helped me. My church, Mariners, is doing a study on anxiety. I wish I was tech savvy enough to post it here, but if you look up Mariners church, you should be able to find it. Blessings my sister!❤️
Lord help us to ask ourselves tough questions like this on a regular basis and help us to be willing to answer honestly so that we neither deceive ourselves or others.