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Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!How quick was Peter to identify a foul spirit? Did Jesus not say that by their fruits you shall know them. I have come across many preachers who delight in manifesting powers without absolute direction.
It is important to know that when you are desperate for power, devil can give you magical powers which can be used to perform all forms of illusive practices. Have you come across some of those sorcerers in market places that people usually gather around.
They can make your phone to disappear and appear inside a pot. They play with dangerous animals and are majorly snake handlers.
What is their desire? attract people and become relevant for performing magic.
Acts 8:9-11~Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery
When you see someone who is capable of manifesting spiritual powers but lacks the knowledge of effective usefulness of the power, he must have been possessed by demons.
What is the effective usefulness of power? Acts 8:7-8~When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
Acts 10:38~even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
The power of God is specifically for the breaking down of evil strongholds and healing of the sick and those afflicted in any kind by agents of darkness.
This power has a direction of acquisition that is why before it is made available for anyone, he must first accept Jesus and the powers of his salvation which must be preached to the world.
The Samarians had believed in Jesus before Peter and John came to them that they may receive holy spirit and power.
Basically, the power is available for anyone who wants to do only the will of God. And there came Simon who was a sorcerer attempting to pay for the purchase of the gift of God.
Peter was quick to respond to him; Acts 8:20-21~Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
The power of God is for the ministry of God. Whichever type of power that does not proclaim Christ and his death and resurrection which brought salvation to mankind is not of God.
May we receive grace to identify foul spirits.
