Be COOL, God Is In The Plan (Part 3)

by | Jun 11, 2025 | The Daily Word with Pastor KBN | 0 comments

BeCOOL God Is In The Plan Podcast Series

Be Cool, God Is in the Plan

You Must Know Him for Yourself

Subtitle: Authority Comes from Relationship, Not Association

Opening Prayer

Father, as I come before You, I give You all glory and honor. I exalt and magnify Your name. I ask for the forgiveness of my sins as I stand before Your people. Use my mouth for Your glory. Let every word be used to build up and edify Your people. I declare this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Aren’t you glad about today? It’s another opportunity the Lord has given us to live, serve, and walk in obedience. Every breath we take is a testimony to God’s goodness. Obedience truly is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22). As believers, we are blessed with a divine benefit package—a heavenly inheritance that empowers, equips, and uplifts us in all seasons of life.

This post continues our series titled “Be COOL, God is in the Plan.” Yes, He truly is! In the twists and turns of life, His plan remains firm. But there’s a powerful truth we must grasp: authority in the Spirit does not come through association, but through relationship.

The Danger of Imitation Without Revelation

Let’s reflect on a well-known, sobering account in Acts 19:13–16:

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’ And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them, and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” — Acts 19:13–16 (ESV)

These men were trying to imitate Paul’s spiritual authority without knowing Jesus themselves. They were speaking the right name, but without a right relationship.

Let that sink in.

They attempted to exercise authority using the name of “the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” But the demons quickly exposed the truth—they had no real connection, no spiritual backing, and no divine endorsement. The result was disastrous: they left that encounter beaten, bruised, and humiliated.

Spiritual Authority Requires Personal Relationship

You can’t rely on your parents’ faith, your pastor’s walk, or your friend’s convictions. When it comes to walking in spiritual authority, you must know Jesus for yourself. Knowing about Him isn’t the same as knowing Him. The power and authority in the believer’s life flows directly from a personal relationship with Christ—not secondhand stories or borrowed faith.

Jesus made it clear in John 15:5:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Imitation Without Intimacy is Powerless

What happened with the seven sons of Sceva wasn’t just about exorcism—it was about exposure. It revealed the futility of form without faith, of words without intimacy, of action without anointing. The enemy is not intimidated by people who pretend to walk in power. But when you truly know who you are and whose you are, hell takes notice.

The evil spirit said it plainly:

“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize; but who are you?”

It’s time to ask ourselves this question: “Does the enemy know who I am?” Not because of fame or ministry platform, but because I walk in alignment with the living God.

You Can’t Fake Fire

The spiritual realm responds to authenticity. The sons of Sceva were trying to operate in a power they didn’t possess. They had no authority because they had no relationship. And in the end, they were overpowered by what they were trying to overcome.

This is why we must live with intentionality. Jesus must be more than a name we invoke—He must be the Lord of our lives. When we walk closely with Him, our prayers carry power. Our words shift atmospheres. Our lives reflect the glory of God.

Walk in Power, Not Pretense

Don’t just “go to church” or “know about God.” You must build a relationship with Him. Spend time in the Word. Talk to Him in prayer. Worship Him not only on Sunday, but daily. Let Him be your source, your Savior, and your strength.

2 Timothy 3:5 warns of people who have “a form of godliness but deny its power.” That’s not who we’re called to be. You were designed for more than performance—you were created for power.

Conclusion

Your victory doesn’t come from what others believe—it comes from your personal walk with Christ. When you knowHim, you won’t just survive the battle—you’ll walk in dominion.

🔑 Takeaways

  • Relationship with Jesus is the source of spiritual authority.

  • You can’t cast out what you’re still connected to.

  • Borrowed faith has no power. Build your own walk.

  • The enemy recognizes true authority—and counterfeit too.

  • Intimacy with Christ must precede ministry for Christ.

  • God’s plan includes empowering you—but only when you’re in Him.