The Real Deal
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them” (Acts 19:11-12).
We have an expression in America that says, “He’s the real deal.” What we are saying is the person in question is really who they are appearing to be. They are not trying to be or convince you they are someone they are not. It is a compliment when someone says “You are the real deal.” It means you are not a hypocrite or trying to be someone you are not.
The apostle Paul was the real deal. God began using Paul in amazing ways as recorded in the book or Acts. When God began to use Paul in such amazing ways there arose people who saw this power who also wanted to do the same acts as Paul. The problem was they were not the real deal. They were trying to be someone they were not. They were trying to appropriate the same Power Source as Paul without ever having a relationship with the Power Source. It nearly killed them.
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [One day] the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (Acts 19:13-16).
It is impossible to be the real deal without tapping into the real Power Source. The Holy Spirit is our Power Source. Do you want to experience miracles in your walk with God? If so, ask God to allow His power to be manifested in and through you.
