Thursday, April 19, 2018
Astonishing power
Acts 8:11
And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
Power attracts people. There is an erroneous view, held by some, that the devil doesn’t have any power. There are, ultimately, limits on his power but the Devil does have power.
The devil’s power is exercised in the invisible realm by his designated principalities, rulers, and demons. The Apostle Paul wrote that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
The Apostle John was conscious of this too, he wrote, “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” 1 John 5:19
It is very interesting to note that Jesus did not dispute the devil’s description of himself when he said he had authority over the world’s systems and kingdoms. Here is the devil’s uncontested statement to Jesus, recorded in Luke 4:5-6, “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.””
The devil’s power is exercised in the visible natural realm by those who are dedicated to him and his service and who therefore practice spiritual wickedness. The list of those includes those who practice the occult, obeah, voodoo, and a number of African based iniquitous activities; poojah, wuk, and a number of iniquitous activities based on Eastern religions; superstition and so on.
We have seen this on display in the scriptures. When Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh and did as God had told them, Aaron’s rod became a serpent. What we often forget is this, “But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents.” Exodus 7:11,12.
And now we have Simon the Sorcerer of Samaria exercising such power of the devil that the people were astonished. “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practised sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.” Acts 8:9-11.
All across the world, right now as you are reading this, there are people who are visiting purveyors of the devil’s power to secure particular outcomes in a variety of situations. Many of these situations involve relationships, property, money, promotion, and the like.
These persons who are practising these things are achieving notable success and that is why people keep going to them and are paying for their services. They are exercising astonishing power to destroy relationships, pervert justice, disrupt human resource department policies, and things of that nature.
I have witnessed up close the astonishing power of the devil and his devotees on display in the lives of people I know and minister to. One of the most notable examples in recent time was that of a magistrate who was attacked by someone who had a case before her. The attack was launched, and a powdery substance was left at her feet at the bench. She quickly lost her balance and her capacity to walk a straight line or drive her car. Doctors started to see internal physical damage on MRIs.
All of this would be scary stuff if we lost consciousness of the power of Jesus over the works of the devil. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. We have to remember that while there is still an exercise of power by the devil and his servants, their power is limited because of the completed work of Jesus. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15.
The resurrected Jesus is seated at God’s “right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:20-21.
The preaching of the gospel of Jesus is enough to break the power of the devil and to release those under the spell of the power of his servants. It happened when Philip preached in Samaria. Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer himself bowed to the power of the Gospel. “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” Acts 8:12,13.
The amazing sorcerer was amazed by the power of Holy Spirit demonstrated in the ministry of Philip.
We know too many persons who are in clutches of the devil, amazed by a display of power that will not stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. We need to show them what astonishing power really is.
Think on these things:
- Have you ever been astonished by a display of spiritual power?
- Do you know of anyone who has consulted with persons who practice evil in order to achieve something in their life?
- What would you do if you are confronted by the power of evil through someone with whom you are associated?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would recognise those who are seeking the power of the devil to solve life’s problems and introduce them to the absolute power to Jesus.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex
