I’ve talked in previous posts about spiritual warfare, restoration, and counseling. All of these things can really change your life if you let God work in you and put in a little effort yourself. Why would you want to do this you may ask. It’s because we are not what we were created to be. Christianity today is filled with people who are just trying to get by. Some have hope but still don’t live up to the life that we’ve been called to live. And we feel so guilty about it too. We search for purpose. What were we created to do? “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” Genesis 1:26-28 We were created to rule.
Now I’m not talking about taking over the world. I am not trying to create some weird cult; we have plenty of those already. If we picture ourselves at war with Satan and his armies, then it makes sense that we were created to rule. This isn’t Sunday school hour anymore. The Enemy doesn’t want God’s glory to shine and will do everything in his power to prevent that. The book of Revelation baffles me. The prophecies in that book confuse the heck out of me even after reading the Left Behind series. One thing is made clear to me though from that book and other parables that Jesus taught about; Christians will rule the earth when Christ comes back. Not like a military coup, but God has ultimate control and power and every knee shall bow at His Name when He returns. What are we supposed to do in the meantime though? Training us to do what we were created to do: rule.
In Luke 10 Jesus sent out 72 disciples, ordinary people like you and me, to do His ministry which is healing the broken and setting captives free. “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3 He flat out told them it wouldn’t be easy. When they return, they are absolutely blow away by what happened. “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” Luke 10:17 Christ gives His followers authority and it works! Satan’s days on Earth are numbered and he knows it. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.’” Matthew 28:18 Why would He give us authority if we weren’t supposed to use it?
Unfortunately the attitude of Christians today is anything but fierce. We’re passive, acquiescent. We act as if the battle is over already. We’ve believed the lie that says, “You don’t need to fight the Enemy. Let Jesus do that.” It is true that Jesus has won the victory over Satan and his kingdom. (Can I get an amen!) However, the battle is not over. Until Jesus comes back for the finishing blow, there is work to be done. We are supposed to fight for the lost and hurt now until that day comes. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
One thing I’m God is just speaking to me about right now is that I have the authority. I know my heart is good, awesome. I am more aware that I’m being attacked by the Enemy now and I try to see where my emotions come from and what is assaulting me. How do we combat these assaults though? John Eldredge has an awesome example that kind of explained what was happening to me. I’ve asked God to help take some things out of my life. Remove the temptations and protect me. I’ve felt Him there beside me, but some things just haven’t been going away. They’ve still had a hold on me and it was driving me crazy. God has been telling me, “You do it Bill.” I didn’t really think of it that way. “I have the authority? That can’t be right God.” Sometimes we think we are so powerless in front of the giants we face. The Bible is full of underdog stories. David defeats Goliath. Gideon’s 300 men wiped out the Midianites. Peter and Saul changed the church forever. God has given you and me authority over our Enemy just like He has the ultimate authority. Through the Cross, we have power that we never imagined and it’s time we start using it.
Please don’t live your life ashamed of your past or even where you are now. Change. Be that person that brings glory to God with the way you live. You have the authority over the Enemy so stop listening to the lies and rule. My prayer is that you realize you have the authority of Christ and you aren’t afraid to use it in your life. God loves you and I love you. Please let me know if there’s something I can pray for you about.
In Love,
Bill
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