An imitation
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19:19
It is always surprising when people turn to sorcery and spiritism, but in truth, God placed a deep longing in every human heart that only He can fill. Because of this void, people are drawn to the spiritual realm, often looking for supernatural power or insight. Sadly, many, even some Christians, dabble in fortune telling, horoscopes, or other practices, thinking it is harmless. But these counterfeit sources of power only open doors to the enemy and keep people from trusting God and His perfect timing.
In today’s reading, God was performing extraordinary miracles through Paul. The power of God drew large crowds, but when some of the Jewish chief priests tried to copy Paul’s works without knowing Christ personally, they were overpowered by an evil spirit and left beaten. They had no authority because they did not have a true relationship with Jesus. As a result of this event, many who practiced magic were convicted, and they burned their books publicly, choosing to turn from darkness to God. The Word of the Lord spread with power, and people found freedom in Christ.
Even today, we see evidence of spiritual darkness in our world, though it is often subtle and hidden. The oppression of the enemy can be seen in depression, anger, brokenness, and torment. But the power of Jesus is greater, and He calls us to pray for our communities, to stand in His authority, and to believe for His Word to prevail in our families, neighborhoods, and cities.
Here are some ways you can begin applying this truth in your life:
- Examine your own life for areas where you may have given room to counterfeit sources of power, such as superstition, horoscopes, or ungodly influences, and choose to turn away from them.
- Pray regularly for your neighborhood, school, workplace, and city to be free from spiritual oppression and open to the light of Christ.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment to recognize spiritual counterfeits and respond with truth.
- Share God’s love with those who are searching for supernatural answers so they can encounter the true power of Jesus.
- Declare God’s Word over your life and home as your source of authority, hope, and protection.
Start by committing your heart fully to Jesus, the true source of power and freedom. Spend time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal areas where you may have unknowingly trusted imitations. Speak God’s Word over your life daily to fill your heart with His truth. As you pray for your city, call on Jesus’ name to break strongholds and bring His peace. Begin small by setting aside just a few minutes each day to intercede for those around you who are bound by darkness.
Today I want to encourage you to trust only in the true power of Jesus and not in the imitation offered by the enemy. If you or someone you know has been caught in darkness, God’s grace is more than enough to set you free. Pray, declare His Word, and stand firm in His authority. As you walk in His truth and power, His light will shine through you, and the Word of the Lord will grow mightily and prevail in your life and in your community.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:1-20
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Journal:
- Are there any areas in my life where I have unknowingly trusted counterfeit sources of guidance instead of God?
- How can I pray specifically for my family, neighborhood, or city to be freed from spiritual darkness?
- Who in my life needs me to intercede for them to experience the true power of God?
- What scriptures can I begin declaring daily to remind myself of God’s authority and strength?
The Daily Dose 