Permission To Use Someone’s Power – July 19, 2024

Read: Mark 6: 7-13

Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. . . They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Mark 6:7,12,13

Permission To Use Someone’s Power

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If someone gives you authority, you can do things in their place with their power. For example, as the teacher is leaving the classroom, she turns to you and says, “You’re in charge until I return.” She just gave you authority!

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus gave his disciples his authority. The devil is Jesus’ enemy. He tried to stop Jesus from accomplishing our forgiveness when he was on earth. He tried to keep people from trusting Jesus’ forgiveness. Sometimes, he fought against Jesus by sending his evil demons to upset people.

Jesus gave his disciples authority over those demons. The disciples acted in Jesus’ place, saying, “In the name of Jesus, leave that person alone.” And the demons had to go away.

Because you believe in Jesus, the devil is your enemy too. He doesn’t want you close to Jesus. He uses three steps to try to pull you away from Jesus.

Step 1: He tempts you to sin. He whispers, “Tell Mom you hate helping around the house.” He plants the thought, “My friends get more for Christmas. I’m not thankful.” He wants you to create a problem between you and God. In that moment of temptation, Jesus gives you authority. You can say, “In the name of Jesus, leave me alone!” With Jesus’ power, you can fight temptation.

…Sometimes, you still sin.

Step 2: The devil rushes in as soon as you sin. He tries to keep you from feeling sorry about your sin. He convinces you that your sin isn’t so bad or not your fault. But you are God’s child. You know his Word. You can say, “In the name of Jesus, leave me alone!” With Jesus’ power, you can fight the easy road of excuses and take the hard step of admitting your sin.

…It’s not over yet.

Step 3: You head toward Jesus holding your sin. You’re one step away from giving that sin to Jesus so he can throw it away forever. The devil tries one more trick. He screams, “Jesus will never forgive that!” But you are God’s child. Jesus stands ready to forgive every sin that you bring to him. He throws them so far from you and God’s sight that no one ever needs to think about them again. You have Jesus’ authority, and you can tell the devil, “In the name of Jesus, leave me alone!” Then, run to Jesus’ forgiving heart.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, our enemy—the devil, fights to keep us apart. But you are stronger than the devil! I trust your power to fight the devil’s schemes and keep me safe in your arms. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who is Jesus’ enemy?
• Who is stronger: Jesus or the devil?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• When did Jesus win victory over the devil?
• Since the devil can’t beat Jesus, he wants to beat you. Can you remember the three steps in today’s devotion that he uses to pull you away from Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Sometimes, people compare the devil to a vicious dog who is chained up. He wants to attack us. He has power, but he has limits. Explain what that means to you in your fight against the devil’s schemes.
• Explain: When you come to faith in Jesus, you enter a war against the devil. Talk about that war and what it would mean if the devil didn’t feel the need to fight against you anymore. When will that war finally be over?