Scripture - Acts 13-16 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus, I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
Observation - Tantalized by the super spiritual. This Jewish High Priest wanted the power that Paul had in the spirit without the relationship with the one that gave the power. He sure wanted to be able to speak to the evil spirit but had no idea who it was that he was speaking in the name of. The evil spirit did not know him and overpowered him and beat him and let him leave the area naked and bleeding. This principles of Christ only operate when you know Christ. They are only given as you are given to Him. The anointing is transferred to those abiding in the vine not to those looking at the vine. This high priest did not know Jesus therefore the enemy did not know him.
Application - I think that many times we face obstacle in our life with out knowing that in the name of Jesus we have power to overcome. We don't operate in full authority because we don't bring our Jesus to the party. Our enemies face us and we have forgotten to bring the authority with us. We can never beat a devil in our own power - he will look at us and ask "Who are You?" But when we bring Jesus with us there is no doubt what is going to happen. This evil spirit knew Paul that knew Jesus and operated in authority from Jesus. But he didn't know the priest - because the priest didn't know HIM.
Prayer - Father never let me face any challenges with out Jesus. He is the ONLY way anything gets done.
