15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” (Acts 19:15 CSB)

We may at times seek to speak with authority. Maybe this is because we need to in a business setting or in family matters. When we do we must view the limits of that authority, understanding our place in the hierarchy of the setting. Because those to whom we are speaking will only recognize us for the level of authority we have been given, by them or by others.

In this scripture there were those seeking to speak with both Paul and Jesus’ authority to cast out evil spirits. And they got called out.

The spirit knew Jesus and his authority and they recognized Paul. But these people it did not know because they were speaking with false authority. As such the spirit that inhabited a man they were trying to exorcise put a beat down on them.

But this passage goes further than authority. It speaks to the heart of how we are recognized by others. Does God live in us and do we display this in such a way that others recognize the Spirit within?  If so we can speak with confidence of the authority that lies within.