Faithful on Fridays Blog

I began rereading This Present Darkness this week. It must be my third time but I’m getting more out of it each time I pick it up. It’s all about our spiritual authority. A small town pastor prayed for his people and learned his rights as a child of God. He influenced the people around him and took control of situations through prayer. That’s the gist of it. Frank Peretti used his God-ordained gift of writing fiction to reveal many truths in the unseen realm, especially the authority of the believer. It’s scripturally sound and fascinating.

You may be thinking, “What do we do with God’s authority imparted to us by His Spirit?”

Have you ever been in a place where you are overpowered by an emotion? You felt extreme hate and anger, hopelessness or desperation, fear or suspicion, intimidation or doubt. These are sure signs of the enemy trying to draw you away from God. The list could go on with desires we can’t seem to conquer: lying, complacency, lust, jealousy, offenses, unforgiveness … did I hit everyone? When Satan hears our words it’s as if we have invited him in. He can’t read our minds, therefore he, and his cohorts, become extremely good listeners. Instead of declaring our faith and trust in God to deliver us from our weaknesses we complain and vent. We literally open the door and invite the enemy to come in and influence us. Bad idea.

If you find yourself in that position be encouraged today to stand in your authority and tell the devil the truth. Here are some truths to speak aloud over yourself as you take control of your thoughts and words:

… no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Isaiah 54:17 NLT)

… the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (1 John 4:4b NLT)

… he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:15 NLT)

I think you get the picture. Because of the work of Christ, overcoming our enemies on our behalf, we now stand in His authority and power that was given to us. We don’t have to be overcome with emotion and desires that are drag us down, we can declare who we are in Him, and tell the demons to flee. Be assured, they will run.

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (Luke 10:17 NLT)

Your authority in Christ has much greater power than any demon from hell. Believe it and stand your ground not giving any area of your life to your enemy (Eph. 4:27). In truth, you are an overcomer, why not start acting like it?