Stripped or Strengthened: A Worship Lesson from the Sons of Sceva

Imagine trying to use someone else’s password to access God’s power. That’s what the Sons of Sceva did—and they got hacked by demons.

We are looking at the records from Acts 19:11-17.

But first let’s read the introduction and closing out of this particular incident.
Acts 19: 11 God was doing extraordinary and unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,

Acts 19:17  This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified and exalted.

It says due to this incident everyone in the city heard what happened. It stirred deep awe for God, and the name of Jesus was lifted high in praise and worship. Now let’s see what happened between verse 11 and 17. Between verses 11–17 is the incident of the Sons of Sceva, followed up by two contrasting reactions: one of the sorcerers and another of burning books worth millions (vs 18-20), and then a reaction of the man who is mad his business has taken a toll (later from verse 24 onwards).

It is important to note these are sons of a priest, so of the tribe of Levi & they didn’t know Jesus relationally.

“I implore you and solemnly command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14Seven sons of one [named] Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit retorted, “I know and recognize and acknowledge Jesus, and I know about Paul, but as for you, who are you?” 16Then the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued [c]all of them and overpowered them, so that they ran out of that house [in terror, stripped] naked and wounded

Two snapshots help us discern real vs. fake authority:

One incident is found in Acts 8:4–24 – Simon who was baptized but hadn’t received the Holy Spirit wanted to purchase this power with money! Note: The text suggests Simon’s heart wasn’t right; the Spirit is given by God, not bought

Another incident contrasts with the instance quoted in Luke 9:49-50 and Mark 9:38 -39 Jesus affirms someone casting out demons in His name—even outside the disciple circle—because the fruits of His works (or outcome) as a sign of God’s approval.

We also see another perspective: People even accused Jesus of using demonic power—Luke 11:19-54 shows how twisted that thinking can get.

Sometimes, even now, this thinking happens, we misuse God’s name—by borrowing someone else’s faith, claiming authority without relationship, chasing gain, or even tearing down others who are glorifying Him & are approved by Him through the evidence or fruits of their work/ministry. In all of these we have to know only God can be glorified, as we see in Acts 19:11 and then 17.

Whether God works powerfully or allows exposure of pretenders, He gets the glory—and revival and resistance both follow as evidenced in these instances.

Let’s pause and ask: what makes someone truly authorized by God?

Scripture calls us a royal priesthood—not performers, but caretakers of God’s presence. We are not the High Priest, Christ is, but we are priests that serve duties such as gatekeepers, watchmen, cleansing tools, utensils, including packing , unpacking of temple materials, and so many other routine functions.

Menial tasks it might seem, but utterly important for the work of God.

Ordinary ≠ unimportant

Royal priesthood also attracts attention and warfare. We are also under attack—we need to know spiritual warfare and use the right weapons. Eg. 2 Chronicles 23:19—sometimes they even held swords… a reminder of spiritual warfare.

(For more on this, explore our Identity Series: Royal priesthood )

Sometimes we try to accelerate our ambitions over God’s slow and steady pace leading, shortcuts, imitating others etc… even in our praise and worship as consecrated and baptized priests. We should remember that God doesn’t hand out power like a password—He shapes people into clean vessels who carry His presence.

We have to remember there are consequences.
Heart posture and motives matter to God more than external performance.

Jesus states this in the Luke 11, the same one he was slandered. 24“When the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest; and not finding any, it says, ‘I will go back to my house (person) from which I came.’ 25And when it comes, it finds the place swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in [the person] and live there; and the last state of that person becomes worse than the first.”

“Is it just a coincidence that both stories mention seven? – or is there a lesson here? Scripture does not draw the inference but perhaps there is a lesson. Could it be a reminder that spiritual emptiness invites counterfeit attacks?

It is important to be clean inwardly and have received the Holy Spirit as our guarantee of salvation. in Luke 11 Jesus goes on to say:

28 .blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it.” – Listen to practice mode to be activated.

 34The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word]. 35Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. 36So if your whole body is illuminated, with no dark part, it will be entirely bright [with light], as when the lamp gives you light with its bright rays.”

The analogy of us being the light of the world is not lost here, we are to point to Him and through His words – relationally not like the Pharisees or lawyers with man made chants or rules likes he continues in that chapter. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).

We have to pray like David did in Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, renew a right Spirit, cast me not, take not, restore the joy of salvation, renew a right Spirit”—repentance and confessions are so important to Christians. We forget it or are less deliberate about it.

We love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind while asking His Holy Spirit support to keep us renewed with a right spirit and right relationship with God! through Christ

Repentance means we don’t just feel bad—we choose to walk away from what breaks God’s heart

When our life is consistently inside God’s will and plan, fully submitted, He will authorize like He did Paul when we faithfully in humility serve him as stewards of such great privilege and responsibility not in authoritarian ways.
Paul was a Pharisee but did not get to steward this authority until he became a bondservant of Christ. Remember He is the source and authorizer, we don’t claim authority on our own each time even in the cases that failed the name of Jesus had to be evoked. In instances when this was invoked and the authority to be stewarded did not exist is when the fruits/works failed.

Paul was a Pharisee—well-versed in Scripture and tradition—but he didn’t carry spiritual authority until he became a bondservant of Christ. Authority isn’t something we claim; it’s something God entrusts us to steward well. He is the source and the authorizer. Even in the cases that failed, like the Sons of Sceva, the name of Jesus had to be invoked. But when the relationship & authorization wasn’t there, the fruit or works failed.

So in total, the contrast in the 3 different characters we see:

• Paul who is empowered and sourced by God’s power,
• Sons of Sceva as mimickers who were chased, embarrassed and stripped (no authority without relationship or glorifying God) and then
• the sorcery practitioners who made confessions and entered into Kingdom. They didn’t just say sorry—they surrendered what once defined them.
  That’s repentance: letting go of what gave us false power, and choosing Jesus instead.

🔥 Clean → Fill In → Authorized → Activated

What is our block – what is the uncleanliness or sin: bitterness, covetousness, anger, unforgiveness etc..?

Just looking spiritual doesn’t shield us. God sees the heart

What does your worship say about your relationship with Jesus?

• Are you a clean vessel—or just a loud one?
• Where do we want to be?
• In whose authority do we trust—and how?
• Do you trust His timing over the process of cleaning – filling, anointing, authorizing and activating?

He will bring Praise and exaltation to His name—either through Paul, Sons of Sceva, sorcerers or anyone who preaches glorifying Him.

In conclusion, God doesn’t need performers. He’s calling priests—clean, surrendered, and ready to carry His presence, Let us worship in Spirit and in truth.

Not only that when we are authorized and activated by Him for His purposes we are then called to

His Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind : authorizes us his worshipping, servant priests to cast out demons but also as Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19

18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah),BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy) ,19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].

🙏PRAYER: 🔥 Clean → Filled In → Authorized → Activated

Father God,
Teach me. Mold me. Cleanse me. Make me fully Yours.
I surrender all my own understandings about my relationship with You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and light up Your Word—make it alive and specific for my life.

You formed me in my mother’s womb for a purpose.
Lead me to that path, and let it become my true heart’s desire.

I repent of every instance—every moment I’ve disobeyed, chased my own way, or used Your name without knowing Your Word or Your will.
I name those moments before You now… (Pause and speak them aloud)

Draw me close, like You did with King David.
Create in me a clean heart.
Help me guard it as You fill it—with Your rivers of living water, Your life-giving Spirit, Your purpose-shaping presence.

Make me a clean, surrendered, Spirit-filled vessel—ready to carry Your presence.
Let me walk in the priesthood You’ve called me to, at every stage of my life.
Not as a performer, but as a steward.
Not in my own strength, but in Yours. Not in my timing but yours.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.