Acts 19:16-17 “16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.”

RUNNNG NAKED

The sons of Sceva were trying to cast out demons in the name of Jesus without knowing Jesus. They wanted some attention. Well, they got it. The possessed man jumps up and whips them all and they run out naked. Don’t you know for the rest of their lives whenever they went to town people would point and sneer? They got more attention than they bargained for.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment? Most of us have. Sometimes we are lucky enough that only a few close friends witness it. Other times it seems the whole world knows. It’s one thing to be embarrassed over an innocent mistake. It’s another when it happens while we are caught doing something we shouldn’t have. The sons of Sceva (notice we don’t even know their names) were trying to do something they had no business trying. Their motive was all wrong.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children must learn to rely on the Holy Spirit for their guide. He is the One who will lead them safely through life’s challenging moments. As parents, we have to help them finetune their hearing. Listening to the Spirit is something that requires sacrifice. We must die to ourselves to hear from the Lord. When all we think about is self, the Spirit’s voice is drowned out.

When your children come to Christ, their hearing is adjusted by the Spirit. He begins to speak into them the truth of the Word. He begins to direct them in life’s choices. When they learn to trust the Spirit, those embarrassing moments are avoided. They aren’t caught in situations that bring shame and reproach.

Won’t you today give your children a hearing test? Won’t you make sure they know the importance of listening to Him? How about you? How is your hearing?