Sceva, the father of these seven sons of Acts 19, was a member of the Jewish council in Ephesus and chief of the priests. He was an exorcist, and so were his children. They were among the vagabond(travelling) Jews who had been involved in casting out evil spirits through divination. This was a widespread practice among the Jews, which the Jewish historian, Josephus, in his book, the Antiquities of the Jews VIII Chap 2:5, spoke about. Divination was a profitable business, else an entire family comprising of seven sons would not be involved in such trade, and apparently, clients were not scarce.

When Paul came to Ephesus, within a space of two years, there was an unprecedented explosion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So explosive was it that the Jews who constantly sought signs and the Greeks who demanded wisdom were addressed. This was accompanied by special miracles that punctuated the ministrations of Paul – handkerchiefs and aprons that touched the body of Paul could heal diseases and cast out evil spirits.

When these seven sons of Sceva saw the extraordinary miracles which God wrought at the hands of Paul, they discovered that the name of Jesus was the instrument that Paul used to perform his miracles. The name of Jesus, although strange to them, was effective, efficient, and more powerful than whatever divination they had been making. So, in a bid to advance their trade, they co-opted the name of Jesus as part of their divining armaments in casting out evil spirits. Instead of sticking to the names of the various gods they had known, they wanted something else they could add to the mix seeing how powerful the name of Jesus was.

However, unlike the names of the other gods, who are under the control of Satan, and he could use them as much as he wanted, the name of Jesus is above Satan. At the mention of Jesus’ name, every knee in heaven, on earth and beneath the earth bows, including the knees of Satan and all his fallen angels (devils). So, when the sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus, they didn’t know that this time the demons in the lives of possessed people would actually have to leave.

When the evil spirit discovered that the sons of Sceva were employing a name that was Superior to and in antithesis to his name, the demon had to cry out to stop them from proceeding with their actions. The devil had to remind them that the use of the name of Jesus, albeit effective, can only be employed by those that have a right standing before God. And unwilling to leave his host, the evil spirit energised his possessor to pounce on the sons of Sceva to disgrace them. And thus, was fulfilled the word of the Prophet Isaiah, “God frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad.” This act led to further magnification of the name of Jesus Christ.

Besides other lessons you can learn from this story, I would like you to always remember this: the name of Jesus is so powerful that even in the mouth of sinners and unbelievers, it scares the hell out of evil spirits. Imagine what that name will accomplish when you are a believer and in right standing before God – the host of hell will not only be scared, but they will also flee at the mention of the name of JESUS.

Now, I want you to face whatever the demonic operations in your life and shout J . E . S . U . S.

The story is found in Acts 19 verses 13 through 17.