10:20 Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to rejoice over the fact that they had power over demons?
10:20 Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to rejoice over the fact that they had power over demons?
The fact that one's name is written in Heaven is to be our source of joy, not the power we have been given over demons, although Jesus does expect us to manifest that power in His name throughout our Christian walk (cp Psa 91:13; Eze 2:6; Mk 16:17; Ro 16:20).
This empowering is still valid today for all who believe in Christ, as those scriptures clearly teach. It was not only for believers in the first century church, as so many in the contemporary church have been taught. (See also comments on Lk 10:18.)