Purity and Power

In Purity and Power, we see how repentance and spiritual cleansing opened the door for God’s Word to prevail mightily in Ephesus.

“Many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them … So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.”—Acts 19:18–20 NASB

Arriving in Ephesus, Paul realized the believers there knew nothing about the Holy Spirit. As he laid his hands on 12 men, they were filled with the Spirit. “Extraordinary miracles” began to happen (v. 11), and “all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord” (v. 10).

Some exorcists felt they could imitate these results and tried to cast out demons in the name of “Jesus whom Paul preaches.” They were shocked when an evil spirit answered, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” Then the spirit “pounced on them and … overpowered them,” and they fled “naked and wounded” (vs. 13–16).

As this news spread, people realized that the powers of darkness were real. They also recognized that God’s power was even greater, and they saw that access to this power required personal purity and total dedication.

They began to repent of their sins and their compromise with the powers of darkness. Some had “practiced magic,” which encouraged the presence of demonic spirits. They brought their books to burn, and “the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.”

Do you want this kind of move of God in your life? Ask Him to purify your heart and mind. Confess any sins. Remove habits or lifestyles that displease Him. Separate your life from evil, and hunger for the fullness of His Spirit. Expect extraordinary blessings, power, and anointing.

Reflection Question: What do I need to surrender, so God’s power can flow freely in me?