Discover how to trade superstition for steady faith by focusing on Jesus rather than the religious practices and objects that remind us of Him. Through the story of the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, explore why invoking Jesus’ name is not a formula for getting what we want and why spiritual growth comes from knowing and trusting Him. Whether you keep a cross nearby, read Scripture daily, or rely on familiar prayers for comfort, consider how these practices can deepen your relationship with God instead of becoming substitutes for it. Learn practical ways to build authentic faith, trust in Christ’s victory over darkness, and pursue a closer walk with the Lord.
Highlights
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Understand the difference between genuine Christian faith and superstition rooted in religious objects or rituals.
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Explore Acts 19 and the account of the sons of Sceva to discover why Jesus’ name is not a magical formula.
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Recognize that the power of salvation and victory over darkness comes from Jesus Christ Himself.
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Learn how crosses, Bibles, prayer, and other spiritual practices can serve as reminders of faith without replacing a relationship with God.
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Reflect on whether any religious habits have become ways of seeking control or protection rather than trusting the Lord.
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Discover why authentic spiritual growth comes from knowing Jesus and relying on His finished work on the cross.
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Consider practical ways to invest in your relationship with God and develop a steady, sincere faith.
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org
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Full Transcript Below:
Trading Superstition for Steady Faith
By: Sophia Bricker
Bible Reading:
“When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17, NIV).
A card and a cross. Those were the two items I regularly kept with me during my first year of middle school, or junior high as it is sometimes known. The card bore the picture of Saint Patrick with a blessing printed on the back, which I kept in my pocket or bag while at school. But the cross? I wore it every day regardless of outfit or occasion. Like the card, it was Celtic-inspired, an Irish pewter cross with a clover in the middle.
To many, this could have looked like an attestation to faith. Far from it. At the time, I did not know or follow Christ. Instead, I found comfort in the strength that these items seemed to hold, as if the presence of the card or necklace could protect me. I was bullied relentlessly in middle school, so perhaps the superstitious possession of these items was a grasp at safety. Regardless, the items held great power in my mind. I had mistaken a symbol for the truth being symbolized.
Only later did I learn that the power of the cross, or the example of a saint’s life, comes only because of the crucified and resurrected Christ.
Some Jewish people did something similar during the early days of the church. In the book of Acts, we read about itinerant exorcists, the sons of Sceva, attempting to invoke the name of Jesus through Paul's name to drive out demons. Undoubtedly, they had heard about the power of Christ to free people from the control of spirits and so assumed that merely saying His name would work to drive away the demons. They were mistaken.
One day, the evil spirit replied to the men attempting to drive him out: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15, NIV). Instead of leaving victorious that day over the realms of darkness, as they had attempted, they were left beaten and bloodied (Acts 19:16). Their experience showed that Jesus’ name is not a magical word that can be wielded for man’s purposes. Superstition cannot replace true faith.
One day, every knee will bow to the name of our Lord Jesus, creatures and spirits alike (Philippians 2:9-11). Even now, demons tremble at the power of the Savior. The lack is not in Christ, for He has defeated the powers of darkness, making a spectacle of them on the cross (Colossians 2:15). But the power is in the Person, not the name alone. Paul and the other apostles could drive out spirits and perform miracles only because of Jesus–they knew the Lord and had trusted in the salvation He died to give.
Of course, today, we are not likely to attempt to invoke the name of Christ in the matter of demon possession. Those in other parts of the world who face more concrete spiritual attacks know that the strength to combat the works of Satan comes from Christ, not the act of speaking words. However, we could still fall into the trap of thinking that certain rituals or objects provide us with safety. Even prayer can be used in this way, when we think the Lord will be more likely to hear us for our many words (Matthew 6:6-8).
Let us not make the mistake of confusing the symbols for the truth symbolized. A wooden cross or crucifix hanging on our wall is a strong reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice; yet it alone, divorced from the Person of the Savior, has no power to save. The Bible we keep by our bedsides contains the precious promises of God; It does not convey the promises merely by our owning a copy of Scripture. Similarly, we could study beautiful paintings of believers following Christ throughout history, but doing so would not automatically make us grow in sanctification. Symbols and spiritual rhythms have their place as long as we do not mistake them for the real things: Jesus and our relationship with Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Is there anything in your life that has taken a superstitious turn––prayer, Bible reading, keeping religious items? Of course, these things are good and right, but anything can be used incorrectly if treated as a talisman to guard against harm. What might you do today to trade this superstition for steady faith?
What are some practical steps you can take this week to invest in your relationship with the Lord, as you would a friend?
Further Reading:
Mark 3:10-12
Acts 8:9-25
Acts 16:16-18
Philippians 2:5-11
Hebrews 2:5-18
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