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.