Are You a Poser or a True Follower of Christ?
Social media has made it easier than ever to be a “poser” or a “wannabe.” If you’re unfamiliar with those terms, they describe someone who is acting like someone else rather than being their authentic self.
If we’re honest, we’ve all been guilty of it—myself included. We see how others act, what they wear, how they live, and we start thinking, Why can’t I do that? Maybe I should try that too. It’s so easy to slip into comparison, trying to imitate someone else instead of embracing who God uniquely created us to be.
But being a follower of Christ is about authenticity, not imitation. I recently came across a passage in Acts where some “posers” tried to copy Paul—and they learned the hard way that faking faith doesn’t give you real power.
The Seven Sons of Sceva: When Pretending Backfires
Acts 19:11-16 (NIV)
_“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.
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 the 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 Paul I know about, 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.”_
Wow. Let’s break that down.
Paul was no ordinary man—he had a deep relationship with Jesus, and the Lord worked miracles through him. The seven sons of Sceva saw the power Paul had and wanted in on it. They figured they could just copy his words and his actions and get the same results.
They weren’t true believers. They weren’t personally connected to Jesus. They were just using His name like a magic spell, hoping to cast out demons the way Paul did.
But here’s the problem: They didn’t have a real relationship with Christ.
And the demons knew it.
“Jesus I Know, Paul I Know, But Who Are You?”
The evil spirit’s response is chilling:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”
Let that sink in.
The demons recognized Jesus—of course, they did. He is the Son of God. They also knew Paul, because Paul was a true follower of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in God’s power.
But the sons of Sceva? They were nobodies in the spiritual realm. They had no real authority, no true faith—just empty words. And because of that, they were left powerless and humiliated.
This story teaches us a hard but necessary truth:
The enemy doesn’t care about people who are just pretending. But he fears and opposes those who truly follow Jesus.
Does the Enemy Know Your Name?
This passage made me think of a popular Christian quote:
“Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil says, ‘Oh no, she’s up!'”
That’s the kind of follower I want to be! I want to be so deeply connected to Jesus that my faith isn’t just words—it’s power.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV):
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’”
The scariest thing I can imagine is standing before God one day and hearing, “Who are you? I never knew you.”
I don’t want to be a poser. I don’t want to just go through the motions of faith. I want a real, living, breathing relationship with Christ—one that shakes up the enemy’s plans and brings glory to God.
How to Stop Being a “Poser” and Truly Follow Jesus
So, how do we avoid being like the sons of Sceva? How do we make sure we’re known in Heaven and feared by the enemy?
Here are a few ways:
1. Have a Personal Relationship with Jesus
It’s not enough to know about Jesus—we have to know Him personally. Spend time in His Word, talk to Him daily, and build a genuine relationship.
2. Live with Authentic Faith
Don’t just imitate others. Let your faith be real and rooted in Scripture. Your walk with Christ should reflect who He created you to be, not just a copy of someone else’s faith.
3. Walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Paul didn’t perform miracles on his own—God worked through him. We need to stop relying on our own strength and start walking in the Spirit, allowing God to use us for His glory.
4. Be Bold for Christ
When you live for Jesus, you will face opposition—but that’s a sign that you’re doing something right. The enemy doesn’t bother with lukewarm Christians, but he trembles at those who boldly live out their faith.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s End with a Prayer
Heavenly Father, I don’t want to be a poser. I don’t want to just say Your name—I want to truly know You and walk in Your power. Lord, deepen my relationship with You so that my faith is real and unshakable. Help me to live authentically, boldly, and fully surrendered to You. May my life reflect Your love and truth in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for this lesson about being complete with the Lord. All so true
Boy, this is a good message! We can all use a reminder to have authentic faith! Thank you!🙏🏼💕
Awesome reminder to walk daily
Great message. That verse is the scariest verse to me too.
Agreed! That is so scary!
What a powerful message!! Thank you!❤️🙏🏻
Thank you for this wonderful message.
This is your best one yet!!! 🙂
Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Dear Tania – Your devotional today (February 9th, ’25) was truly inspirational. It’s easy to say we are truly devoted to our God and to Jesus but our lives as we face our God will, in the end, tell if we’ve lived our life in the light of Jesus. Too many posers in today’s world.
Thank you for your continuing sharing such important reminders with us!
Thank you for a great message!
Excellent post! I always enjoy all of your posts but Sundays are extra special! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your faith.
Yes, a very good reminder to know Jesus. I like the quote, …”oh, no! she’s up!” I’ve never heard that before.
Amen sister!! Love it.
Tania, great devotional! It is boldness like this that will command attention. Those who love the Lord will rejoice in what you have said, and those who don’t love the Lord, well, this post will make them mad! The religious leaders of Jesus’ day hated Him (and those who followed Him) because He pointed out that their faith was actually just ritual, not relationship.
So true, Carolyn.
So appreciate your bold faith! Without Jesus I got nothin’! Thanks SO much for sharing about HIM! ✝️🙌🏼
Thank you for these beautiful words of encouragement. They truly made me think about wanting to be who God created me to be. Not someone who is fake or try to be someone else.
I appreciate your words of wisdom.
thank you..I’m praying to be more outgoing and intentional about representing our Lord to those around me.
Beautiful story about “Who am I” I don’t want to be a “want a be”, but a true Follower of Jesus Christ working for Him. Thank you
for these wonderful words.
Thank you for your inspirational words
I can’t imagine the heartbreak of standing before God and he not knowing me!! It would be as if someone tore my heart right out. I want that relationship in which I don’t know where He ends and I begin.
That’s how I feel, too!
Amen! He said if we want to come after Him, we must deny ourselves take up our cross, and follow! Thanks for always pointing us to Jesus!❤️
I needed to hear that again!
Thank you Tania for that post.
This one really resonated with me.!
I copied the prayer and stuck it on my computer screen so I can see it several times a day.
This is perfect for where I am in my life right now. Thanks Tania.
Yes! Thank you for this message Tania!
Love your Sunday posts. You have a “down-to-earth” approach that is comfortable to read and eye opening spiritually.
I love the prayer.
Amen and amen sister thank you for the reminder.
Love the saying, “ Be bold for Christ!”
Have a great week!
Tania, These are perfect words to hear for today! Thanks!❤️😎
My current devotional is “The Well Watered Woman” and this was a part of my reading today. It’s always good to keep doing self checks to gauge where our heart is! Have a blessed week Tania.
I am so afraid that this will happen to me. When I get frustrated I blame God. I have yelled at him. But I still praise him. I still thank him for me and my family. I pray for his will not mind. I curse when I have accidents around the house. I curse and take his name in vain when I get physically hurt. Sometimes I wonder if I’m still going to heaven.
Karen, I don’t think the Lord expects us to be perfect. He knows we will get frustrated, mad, and mess up. He also knows our heart, and praising Him, even when you’re mad and frustrated, is the way to go.
This reminds me of the song by Josh Baldwin “Made for More” I know who I am because of who you are 😀 Great Post! May God Bless you
Thank you for your message today. I appreciate your posts.
Thank you, I’m grateful you shared your truth, which touches the lives of others.
Thank you again for your Sunday posts! And for continuing to be a witness for our Lord.
This is so very true. Eyes on Jesus in all we think. do, and say
Good morning Tanya, great post today and gets right to the point of taking a close look at our faith. I love your Sunday message!
Amen!
I think you were being bold and relative today. You may even lose a few subscribers because of your faith, but count it all for good.
God bless you for speaking out about your faith.
I lost one this morning. Lol! So be it!
This devotion really blessed me today. Thank you for sharing and for reminding me that we must truly be what God wants us to be. Authentic with our hearts tuned to God.
Thanks again for an important truth. Blessings
Comparison is a huge tool of the enemy. If takes our eyes away from God and puts the focus on ourselves and others. The only one we should be imitating is Christ. Thank you for another great post.
Great words, thanks.
Amen! I love that Bible story!
Well said!