Acts 19:11-16 – God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

As Saul, many were persecuted and even killed through his actions, but as Paul, many more were brought healing and salvation. The truth in our actions will always come out, as we see by what happened to the Jewish exorcists. This Sceva had been invaded by demons, personalities of Satan who, it is clear, could tell the difference between truth and falsehood. We often see that same scenario in the gospels: Satan not only recognizes his own but also knows those who belong to Christ. Are our eyes as open? Can we tell the difference between truth and falsehood? The world around us seems to work in the gray areas, but as Christians we are to stand in the light, and to stay in that light it is important to have a personal relationship with Jesus. When we remain connected through prayer, the everyday study of God’s word, and surrounding ourselves with a body of believers, we have a hedge of protection that no evil can penetrate. We may not carry a True ID in our wallet, but the world and Satan himself will recognize who we really are.