The Battle Between Christ and Satan at Ephesus

Paul saw that “a great and effective door” was opening before him, although there were “many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). Ephesus was not only the most magnificent city in Asia, but it was also the most corrupt. Superstition and sensual pleasure were in control. Under the shadow of her temples, criminals of every kind found shelter, and degrading sins multiplied.ULe 105.7

Diana of the Ephesians had a magnificent temple there, whose fame extended worldwide. Its splendor made it the pride of the nation. People claimed that the idol within the temple had fallen from the sky. Books had been written to explain the meaning of symbols inscribed in it. Among those who studied these books diligently were many magicians, who exerted a powerful influence over the superstitious worshipers of the temple’s image.ULe 106.1

The power of God accompanied Paul’s efforts at Ephesus, and many were healed of physical illnesses. These demonstrations of supernatural power were far stronger than any that had ever been seen in Ephesus, and no juggler’s skill or sorcerer’s spell could duplicate them. As Paul did these miracles in the name of Jesus, the people had opportunity to see that the God of heaven was more powerful than the magicians of the goddess Diana. And so the Lord exalted His servant far above the most powerful of the magicians.ULe 106.2

But God, to whom all the spirits of evil are subject, was about to bring still greater defeat on those who despised and profaned His holy name. The Mosaic law had prohibited sorcery, yet apostate Jews had secretly practiced it. In Ephesus there were “some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists” who, seeing the wonders Paul performed, “took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits.” “Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, who did so.” Finding a man possessed with a demon, they said to him, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” But “the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”ULe 106.3

This experience gave unmistakable proof of the sacredness of Christ’s name and the danger of trying to use it without faith in the Savior’s divinity. “Fear fell on them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”ULe 106.4

Facts hidden until then now came to light. To some extent some of the believers still continued to practice magic. Now, convinced of their error, many believers “came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”ULe 106.5

By burning their books on magic, the Ephesian converts showed that the things they had once delighted in, they now hated. Through magic they had especially offended God and put their spiritual life in danger, and now it was against magic that they showed such indignation. In this way they gave evidence of true conversion.ULe 106.6