Deu (Do) what Jesus Deu (Do)!
What do Deuteronomy…
8:3
6:16
& 6:13
Have in common?…
Jesus took these Scriptures from the book of Deuteronomy and whipped the devil with them; during Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness!
Jesus didn’t need to take His favorite refrigerator Bible verse out of context; and use it on the devil. Jesus used His intimate knowledge of The Scriptures in context and repudiated the devil!
Jesus (The Living Word) used The Word!
Not some “rebuke”!
Not some “formula”!
Jesus used 3 small portions from Deuteronomy!
We say we “know” much more; and many more “famous” Scriptures than that!
We should have a large understanding and knowledge of His Word. We have a larger written volume of text than existed at Jesus’ time here on earth.
We aught to “know”, but…
How’s that in actuality working out for us?
Do we really “know” The Word?…
Or are we merely aquatinted with Him?
We MUST…
KNOW The Word!
Not simply some rebuke or formula!
Only our “know” of HIS Word will allow us to stand up to the test!
And…
Don’t worry we will be tested!
This is much more than mental accent. This is NOT simply understanding His Word with our carnal mind. Our carnal mind is an enemy of God; and besides that we are supposed to have a renewed one.
We are supposed to be in INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with Him. Not a ritualistic or formulaic one; but a relationship that is grounded in Spirit and Truth!
The seven sons of Sceva tried using a ritualistic formula…
They tried out their “social media” like and follow of Jesus…
They “knew” the stories about Jesus. They probably even repeated some of His words!
But…
How did that lack of REAL RELATIONSHIP and KNOWLEDGE of The Living Word work out for them?
Let’s look at this Biblical account in God’s Word:
“Some Jews also were traveling around forcing evil spirits out of people. The seven sons of Sceva, one of the leading priests, were doing this. These Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, “By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!” But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit inside him jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. They all ran away from that house. All the people in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks, learned about this. They were all filled with fear and gave great honor to the Lord Jesus. Many of the believers began to confess, telling about all the evil things they had done. Some of them had used magic. These believers brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. These books were worth about 50,000 silver coins. This is how the word of the Lord was spreading in a powerful way, causing more and more people to believe” Acts 19:13-20 Easy Read Version
Four things leapt out to me concerning this Scripture; and what we are talking about.
#1- We see that the demonic forces have a “know” or knowledge of Jesus! And they also “knew” of the Kingdom work that Paul was doing under Jesus’ authority. The demons also “knew” or recognized ritualistic formulas; those formulas and words devoid of relationship. The demons recognized and responded to the lack of true knowledge in those confronting them.
#2- The imposters (or posers) were “beat up”, “stripped” and exposed by the devil.
#3- Isn’t it amazing that “great fear” and “great honor” was given to Jesus because of this event! It wasn’t just the believers; but ALL the people in Ephesus! Jews and Greeks alike!
#4- We see another miraculous thing taking place. The believers that had been half in, and half out brought their occultic books to be burned in the fire!
The halfhearted became “all in”!
What a miracle!
Many times on the earth, since God’s Word has been revealed in written form; persecution, or lack of resources has made the entirety of God’s written Word unavailable. Resulting in individuals, villages, or even entire regions only having a section, book, or single page of The Word if God!
LOOK!!!…
The Word was made manifest in flesh and blood and we beheld the radiance of His Glory!…
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. [Isa. 40:5.]” John 1:14 AMPC
I urge us too:
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 AMPC
What if we followed Jesus’ example; and knew The Word to the extent it is intended?
What if we dwelt in intimate communion with Him?…
Then we would be able to fight the enemy without having to pivot. We could stay rooted and grounded; in the offensive and defensive strength of His Word. Then, like Jesus; we could stay in one book of the Bible, or in one section of Scripture and defeat the enemy! How awesome and rewarding it would be; to become one with His Word as He has intended! Not allowing one jot or tittle to be wasted or missed by us; but fully embracing all that He has!
Yes the demons would be subject to us (because of our “know” and oneness with The Word). But, we would instead rejoice; because God has seen fit to record the entirety of our being… in Heaven! Where moth and rust does not destroy; and neither can anyone break in and steal! An everlasting reward! (See Luke 10:20)
Let’s… Deu (Do) like Enoch and Elijah (the two men who “knew” too much). So much in fact; God could no longer stand ANY separation from them!
Let’s… Deu (Do) ALL He has purposed in His heart; for us to Deu (Do)!
Let’s… Deu (Do) what Jesus Deu (Do) and destroy the works of the devil!
Bless you guys greatly in your communion with The Word!
Be richly blessed!-
Eric
December 14th, 2017 by Eric