Luke 10: 19; Matthew 10: 1; James 4: 7; Acts 3: 1-6
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
The sacrificial death of Jesus is a complete package that provides full coverage in any area of life. Most times due to ignorance, negligence, or impassivity, we fail to realize the benefits that accrue to us as children of God. This article presents one of such packages which often alludes us as Christians; and this has to do with ‘the authority of the believer’!
Luke 10: 19 says that we have been given the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy. In other words, we are authorized dealers of God’s power. We have been given the legal right to command. We have been licensed (so to speak) to operate. We have been granted the permission to act in God’s name. We have the freedom to exercise control riding on the authority of God’s word.
As an intro to this subject, let us use the analogy of a light switch at home. The power companies have wired a power supply into our homes; and that is why the power comes on (becomes activated) whenever the light switch is flipped on. In other words, the power supply is there, but until it is switched on, nothing happens! So likewise our God-given power in Christ – situations would not respond until we exercise our authority (or speak to it)
A major problem with us today is that we are failing in our right to exercise control! When faced with issues, challenges, difficulties, etc. we speak and plead with God instead of speaking to the issue – and there is nothing wrong in talking to God about it; but God expects us to exercise the authority He has given us! The mentality is that we are waiting for God to do something; but the reality is that God is waiting for us to do something about the issue!
In mark 11: 14-20 Jesus spoke to the fig tree. In Acts 3: 1-6 Peter spoke to the lame man. In John 11: 43 Jesus spoke to the dead (Lazarus). And this how you deal with any unpleasant situation that comes from the devil – you speak to them in the name of Jesus to leave!
Stop begging God over that issue of sickness (or whatever you may be dealing with), because He has already supplied you the power; you just have to flip the switch! Speak to your pain, speak to your debts, speak to your marriage, speak to that disease, speak to the lack, speak, speak, speak!
Folks it is time to exercise our authority and flip that switch!