Bible Stories › When God Fights for You
Bible story · Acts 19:11–20
The Seven Sons of Sceva
Read it yourself in the King James Bible: Acts 19:11–20 ↗
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
Acts 19:20 (KJV)The Story
In the city of Ephesus, God was doing extraordinary miracles through the apostle Paul. People were healed, and evil spirits were driven out.
Some traveling Jewish exorcists noticed. They decided to try using the name of Jesus themselves, like a magic formula. Among them were the seven sons of a man named Sceva, a Jewish chief priest.
They found a man with an evil spirit and said, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them and overpowered them all. The seven brothers ran out of the house naked and wounded.
The story spread all over Ephesus, and fear fell on everyone. The name of the Lord Jesus was honored. Many who had believed came forward and confessed their secret practices. People who had practiced magic brought their scrolls and burned them in public. The books were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
Reflection
The sons of Sceva had the right words but no relationship. They tried to use Jesus’ name like a lucky charm, and the evil spirit wasn’t impressed. Jesus I know. Paul I know. But who are you?
More Bible stories from Acts. More about: Spiritual Battles · Paul
Did this story speak to you? I’d love to hear what you think. Tell me
Day 27 of Book 5
Keep reading in When God Fights for You
The full day includes the rest of this reflection, a prayer, and three journal questions. A 30-day devotional on courage, spiritual battles, and trusting the Lord to win.
Get 7 more Bible stories free, plus one each week by email.
Send me the free devotional