For a while now have been studying and learning about our authority as children of God. I like to begin with saying extremely think attending church on a regular basis is exceedingly important. However, that is not enough. Ephesians 6 tells us that our battles are not fleshly but spiritually. I believe that means battles that are among one another, battles physically, battle mentally, and even battles with finances.
Verse 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
You can continue to read in Ephesians to where it teaches you how to put on the armor of God!
Just as we nourish your body on a daily basis most people eat at least twice a day. Others may eat three or four times a day. Some may eat six times a day or even all day long. Well if you were feeding your body several times in a day, don’t you think our spiritual lives need to be fed as well?
I have heard many people teach the word of God and preach the word of God. While I agree with many, some I have a hard time understanding. But one thing I can safely say is even within our churches they have become world conscience and instead of training their life and the congregation lives with the spiritual authorities. Instead, they have adapted to worldly authorities and in the ways of the world. This is why I say attending church services is not enough. There is an amazing example in the Bible that we should be following. It is found in Acts 17. Paul was explaining how the Bereans heard the word of God and after hearing they went out and search the Scriptures for themselves. They received the word with great eagerness.
Verse 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
It is very important that even with the most trusted pastors that we are under that we still search the Scriptures for ourselves.
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
When Jesus died on the cross he didn’t give authority to only particular men or women labeled as preachers, teachers, pastors, or ministers. He gave authority to everyone including you and me. We have all authority over the enemy. Over our health. Over our finances. Over every circumstance of our lives. The Bible tells us we can have what we say. But too often were saying what we have. (Saying from Charles Capps)
Luke 9: 1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Not only did Jesus call the disciples, but others!
Luke 10: 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
I think it’s hard for many Christians to tap into this extraordinary authority that has been given to us. But it isn’t! It is a gift that was given to each and every one of us. Jesus says in Mark 16: 20, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
The Bible also says we have been given the measure of faith.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
So there you have it! We already have faith. What I want you to focus on is what Jesus called it, a seed. Now if you go to Lowe’s and buy seeds to plant tomato plants and you just take them home and leave them in the bag, are they going to grow? What do you need to do in order to produce your tomato plants? You already have the seeds. The seeds are there in your Lowe’s bag. You need to activate those seeds by putting them in the soil. Then you are going to have to water them and nurture them. Our faith is a seed as well, we need to activate our faith daily. We need to water it with the truth of God’s word. Nurture your faith by living in pure dependence on God. We are already grounded on a firm foundation when we accept Jesus as our Savior. It is up to us to nourish our faith. Faith is a growing relationship of trust in the living God.
Here is an amazing example of faith. Faith just by a spoken word. Keep in mind, we have this same kind of faith.
Matthew 8: 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Sometimes things we are believing for and asking for is not quick in receiving. What do you do when what you are believing for something doesn’t come in an instant for you? Do you stop believing? Do you just move on? Do you stop asking? Well in order for your faith to grow you need to keep on keeping on. Is what you’re asking for according to God‘s will? Is it one of His promises that He has already promised us? Is what you are asking for according to God’s word? If so you need to keep standing keep believing keep praying.
Many may question, what is God’s will?
3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
So many know what John 10:10 says however when circumstances or situations come into someone’s life they are easy to say that God brought them to it. Or that God allowed it to happen. Some even say God caused it to happen. Who did God give authority to? And what does John 10:10 say?
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus came to give us life. The enemy comes to take away from us. The enemy can only take what you allow him. Remember, all power and authority was given to you! You tread upon the serpents!
Luke !0:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
When Jesus died on the cross he did all that he was going to do for us that day. He doesn’t need to die and rise again in order for us to be healed. He doesn’t need to die and rise again in order for the afflictions of life to be taken care of. On the cross, Jesus said it is finished. Therefore we need to operate in that! We need to be courageous and know that what God has already done and what Jesus has done that it is enough for us to be strong and stand in the authority that is rightfully ours.
Iaiah 53: 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Through this study, I want you to see how important your words are. Train yourself to speak the word of God over your life, your health, your finances, your family and everything that concerns you.
Matthew 15: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Think back to Genesis when God created Adam. He had given Adam dominion over the world. Adam then handed that authority given to him to Satan. How you may ask, well by not exercising the power that was given to him to have dominion over every creepy crawling thing that came. He doubted and listen to the lies from the enemy. But Jesus! He came to restore that authority. Think about when Jesus walked the earth. He was an example of what we are to be in the flesh. He even told the disciples greater things they will do.
Jesus said,
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Be aware of who you are listening to. Is what they say coming from the truth of God’s word?
Colossians 2: 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
I hope this has blessed you! When you think of the authority you have over your situations and activate your faith, you will see those mountains move. Know in your heart, that the word of God is the truth, and it is for you!
If you would like to go deeper in learning the power of your tongue and the authority we have as believers, check out Charles Capps. His teachings are straight out of the word. The word works y’all!!!
Be Blessed, I love you, Jesus loves you more!