January 12,2002
So Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts. Exodus 7: 10-11 (NIV)
Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water, Blood was everywhere in Egypt. But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts. Exodus 7:20-22a (NIV)
So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt. Exodus 8: 6-7 (NIV)
The power of the spirit, but of which spirit does the power come? The magicians had powers that were just as real as those of Moses. Well, at least they appeared to have the same power. Today, I hear many say there is no true power in witchcraft of the magic arts. However, I differ with this opinion. As we see here in Egypt, the magicians could work magic that appeared to have the same magnitude of the man of God. How do we learn the difference? After all, evil does have power. In fact we are told that we battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and rulers in high places. Do you see that? It says powers. So how do we know the difference?
Philippians 1:10 states that we are to discern those powers and see what is best. We know that what is best is Jesus. Discernment is power. That power comes from the Holy Spirit. We must ask to be able to test the spirits and to discern what is from God and what is not. We must not be mislead as the Pharaoh was by his magicians. We must only follow that which is truly of God.
There is another kind of power in the above passages, and that is the power to perform miraculous duties when the Lord directs one to. Today, we do not see that display of the power of God except on very rare occasions, if ever. Why do we not see it? Could it be that we have believed the teachings of the devil and have denied the very power of God? We are NOT to work magic of any kind. We are to do all things under the direction and the power of God. However, we must learn to be open and willing to experience his power. We live in a cruel, corrupt world that needs to see the power of the living God. We must be the vessels that he uses to show the world his power.
Father, in Jesus name show us the difference between the powers of the evil one and the powers given by you. Lord, for the sake of your name, increase discernment among your people. In Jesus name, let us not be led astray by those who practice the magic arts. In Jesus name, you lead us; you guide us and make our eyes and ears be opened to you and to you alone. Father, let us experience the power that you long to give to us. Prepare our lives and our hearts to handle your power in the spirit and the intent in which it is meant. As Moses spoke to the Pharaoh, I command in the name of Jesus to let your people go! In Jesus name set us free from the bondage and let us loose in the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name I give you the glory and the honor for you hear our prayers, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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