Have you ever wondered what it means to truly live as a disciple of Christ rather than just calling yourself a Christian? There’s a profound difference between merely believing in Jesus and living a life completely transformed by that belief.

What’s the Difference Between Belief and Discipleship?
In Acts 19:11-20, we find a powerful illustration of the difference between those who are merely “Christian adjacent” versus those who are truly filled with God’s power. The passage begins by describing how God worked “unusual miracles” through Paul:
“God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick and the disease left them, and evil spirits went out of them.”
Paul wasn’t just a believer – he was a disciple whose life was so completely surrendered to Christ that even ordinary objects he touched became instruments of God’s power. This wasn’t about magical objects but about a life so deeply connected to God that His power flowed through everything Paul touched.

Why Do Some Christians Lack Power in Their Lives?
The story continues with a stark contrast – the seven sons of Sceva, Jewish exorcists who tried to use Jesus’ name without having a relationship with Him:
“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call on the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exercise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.'”
Notice their words: “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” They weren’t calling on Jesus as their Lord but as someone Paul knew. They were trying to access power without relationship. The results were disastrous:
“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.”
This is what happens when we’re merely “Christian adjacent” – knowing about Jesus without truly knowing Him. We end up spiritually “naked and wounded” when we face real spiritual battles.

How Does True Belief Transform Our Lives?
There’s a crucial principle here: Belief fuels change, and submission breaks chains.
Simply modifying our behavior without transforming our belief doesn’t work. The sons of Sceva changed their words but not their hearts. They were professionals at exorcism, but without a relationship with Jesus, they had no real power.
Many Christians make the same mistake. We try to:

Get just enough Jesus to get to heaven, but not enough to be changed on earth
Get just enough Jesus for salvation, but not enough to live as if we’re saved
Get just enough Jesus to wear a cross, but not enough to pick one up
Get just enough Jesus to bless our strategies, but not enough to change them

What Does It Mean to Put Christ First in Our Identity?
One of the most powerful insights from this passage concerns our identity. If we put any descriptor in front of the word “Christian,” we’re displaying a life not fully submitted to God:
“If you put any descriptor in front of the word Christian in terms of your faith and your walk, then you are displaying a life that is not fully submitted to God. Why? Because you are claiming a belief in your identity as being something that your comfort is anchored to and that is more important than allowing God to define who you are.”
Whether it’s identifying primarily as a white Christian, black Christian, Methodist Christian, Presbyterian Christian, or any other hyphenated identity – if that comes before your identity in Christ, it limits how far you’ll go in your faith.
When we truly believe in Christ, we become new creations. Our old identities no longer define us. We are Christ’s children, period.

How Can Our Faith Impact Others?
Even in the failure of the sons of Sceva, God’s purposes prevailed:
“This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed 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.”
This reminds us that even when we fail, God can still use those moments for His glory. It’s never been about our power but about His. It’s never been about living for our glory but for His.

Life Application
If you want to move from being merely “Christian adjacent” to living a power-filled life as a true disciple, here are some steps to take this week:

Examine your identity: Are you putting any label before your identity in Christ? Ask yourself: “What am I holding onto that might be limiting my surrender to God?”

Move beyond behavior modification: Instead of just trying to stop doing bad things, focus on developing a deeper relationship with Christ. Remember: belief fuels change, and submission breaks chains.

Live as if God’s power is flowing through you: Just as God used ordinary objects like Paul’s handkerchiefs, He can use you – regardless of your age, background, or perceived limitations. Step out in faith this week and watch what God does through you.

Submit fully to Christ’s lordship: Don’t be content with just enough Jesus to feel comfortable. Surrender every area of your life to Him and experience the freedom and power that comes with complete submission.

Ask yourself: “Am I living as if I truly believe what I say I believe? Is my life demonstrating the power that comes from a deep relationship with Christ? What area of my life am I still holding back from God’s complete control?”
Remember, it doesn’t matter if the demons know your name – what matters is that you know Christ’s name, and He knows your heart. That’s where true power begins.