spiritual authority and anointing 120218

 spiritual authority and anointing D. Div. Linda Lanier+ As believers it is essential that we understand and abide in our God’s given spiritual authority and anointing. Unless we, as believer’s grasp the full understanding of who we are in Christ Jesus and what we possess as children of God. We will continue to be tossed about with every wind of doctrine or new wave of the supernatural. What many believers don’t realize is that the kingdom of darkness as well as the kingdom of light are both supernatural. Because of that misconception many are deceived into worshipping devils instead of Almighty God. I Thessalonians 1:8- For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more. I Thessalonians 1:9- For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and Ture God. The gospel of Jesus Christ started out as a small spark in the Galilean hillsides nearly two thousand years ago, the spread of the Gospel began with the Great Commission Jesus Christ gave to His disciples prior to his ascension back to his Father’s side in heaven. “Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you”. (Matthew 28:19, 20, WEB). The Importance of Authority Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers; for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained by God. Therefore, he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou shall have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil; be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in van. For he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. Render to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7) Because King Saul was more conscious of the thoughts of others. It was easy for him to forget the authority and anointing of the kingship that was bestowed upon him. God had ordered King Saul to attack the Amalekites and to utterly destroy them. (I Samuel 15 chapter). Yet after Saul won the victory he disobeyed the commandment of God that was given to him. He disobeyed by the commandment by sparing Agag king of the Amalekites, along with the best of the sheep and oxen and the fatted beasts and lambs and all that was good. He thought to save the king of the Amalekites, his reasoning was to save them to sacrifice to God. However, when Samuel came and realized what Saul had done. He said to King Saul “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, attention than the fat of rams. (1Samuel 15:21-22)NASB Thought out the history of Israel they had been given the laws and commandments of the Lord their God. Who had commanded them not to live after the inhabitants of the lands or to serve their idol gods. Because these things were an abomination unto the Lord their God. Warning Against Idol Worship Ezekiel chapter 14 (ERV) Easy to Read Version Ezekiel 14:1- Some of the elders of Israel came to me. They sat down to talk with me. Ezekiel 14:2- The word of the Lord came to me. He said, Ezekiel 14:3- Son of man, these men came to talk to you. But they still have their filthy idols. They keep the things that made them sin. They still worship those statues, so why do they come to me for advice? Should I answer their questions? Ezekiel 14:4- But I will give them an answer. You must tell them this: “This is what the Lord God says: If any Israelites come to a prophet and ask me for advice, I myself will answer their questions. I, the Lord, will answer them even if they still have their filthy idols, even if they kept the things that made them sin, and even if they still worship those statues. I will speak to them in spite of all their filthy idols. Ezekiel 14:5- This is because I want to touch their hearts. I want to show them that I love them, even though they left me for their filthy idols”. Ezekiel 14: 6- “So tell the family of Israel, “This is what the Lord God says: Come back to me and leave your filthy idols. Turn away from those terrible, false gods. Ezekiel 14:7- If any Israelites or foreigners who live in Israel come to me for advice, I will give them an answer. I, the Lord, will answer them even if they still have their filthy idols, even if they worship those statues. This is the answer I will give them. Ezekiel 14:8- I will turn against them and destroy them. They will be an example to others. People will laugh at them. I will remove from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord! Ezekiel 14:9- And if a prophet is foolish enough to give his own answer, I, the Lord, will show him how foolish he is! I will use my power against him. I will destroy him and remove him from among my people. Ezekiel 14:10- So both the one who came for advice and the prophet who gave an answer will get the same punishment. Ezekiel 14:11- Why? So that those prophets will stop leading my people away from me, and my people will stop being filthy with sin. Then they will be my special people, and I will be their God.” This is what the Lord God said. Exodus 20:1- And God spake all these words, saying, Exodus 20:2- I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:3- Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:4- Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Exodus 20:5- thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generations of them that hate me. Exodus 20:6- and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:7- Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:8- Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:9- Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; Exodus 20:10- but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Exodus 20:11- for in six days Jehovah made heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hollowed it. Exodus 20:12- Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land with Jehovah thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:13- Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:14- Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:15- Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:16- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus 20:17- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, not his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. Exodus 20:18- And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Exodus 20:19- And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. Exodus 20:20- And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before you, that ye sin not. Exodus 20:21- And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:22- And Jehovah said unto Moses, Thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Exodus 20:23- Ye shall not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shalt not make unto you. Exodus 20:24- An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy brunt-offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee. Exodus 20:25- And if thou make an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone (something that is chiseled from a large rock), for if thou lift thy tool upon it, thou has polluted it. Exodus 20:26- Neither shalt thou go up thy steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon. To better understand the book of Exodus and the formation of the ten commandments of the laws that the children of God were to govern to their lives. These laws would bring blessing if obey or curses if disobeyed. As the book of Exodus opens. There had been three-and-a-half centuries passed from the closing of the book of Genesis. Known as the book of Israel’s family history. The book of Exodus is the record of national history. Only seventy people went down into Egypt, and over 3,000,000 left Egypt. The lineage of the children of Israel. God had given Abraham, Exodus 20-24 chapter discloses the giving of the law. Also known as the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20-24 chapters we see the law given, then broken and later restored. God hear the cry of the children of Israel and He remembered His covenant promise with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To get a clear picture let’s review the book of Genesis. The life of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The call of Abraham (Genesis 12-38 chapters) God in His wisdom looked up Abram and called him out from his home and family. Abram came from an idol worshipper who lived in Ur of the Chaldees to go to an unknown land where God would make him the father of a mighty nation. (Genesis 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-19). This begins the history of God’s chosen people Israel. God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be a father of a great nation and that through him the nations of the earth would be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3). Why do you think Jesus reveal to his disciples that He was given power in both heaven and in the earth? Could it have been because he understood that they were yet ignorant of their enemy and all his devices. During the great explosion of many people who was once worshippers of idols, turning to their new-found faith in the true and living God. Matthew 28:18- And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 16:19- And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Therefore, it is imperative that as believers we become subject to and obedient to Almighty God and His authority, and power as the creator of both heaven and earth. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained by God. Anyone who resist the power of God are resisting his ordinances. Romans 13:1-7 New International Bible Romans 13:1- Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authority that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:2- Consequently, he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment upon themselves. Romans 13:3- For rulers who hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. Romans 13:4- For he is God’s servant who do good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:5- Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. There was a time in the history of Israel that king Saul allowed the spirit of fear to fog his mind to the point that he forgot. He was the king who had been given God’s authority and anointing to constitute the plans of God for his people. King Saul Disguises Himself I Samuel 28:5-8 I Samuel 28:5- And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. I Samuel 28:6- And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, not by prophets. Exodus 28:30- You are to put the urim and the thummin into the breastplate of decision; and they are to be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. Aaron is to bear the decisions of the Israelites over his heart before the Lord continually. The Urim and Thummin was a priestly device for obtaining oracles on the high priest’s ephod (which was an apron-like garment) that laid in the breastplate, a pouch inlaid with 12 precious stones engraved with names of the 12 tribes of Israel holding both the urim and thummin. (Exodus 28: 15-30; Leviticus 8:8). There were on three legitimate means of obtaining the oracles for the children of God. They were the urim, thummin and the prophet. (I Samuel 28:6).http://www.jewishvirtuallibray.org/the-urim-and-thummin. Because of the condition of the heart of king Saul he decided to instruct his servants to seek out a woman with the familiar spirit that she get a word about the condition of the Israelites. I Samuel 28: 7- Then said Saul unto his servants, seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. I Samuel 28:8- And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. King the Saul knew that it was an abomination to God to seek out a witch for wisdom. Earlier in the history of Israel. It was king Saul who had outlawed witchcraft. However, because he was afraid and carried away with his own desires and his lack of trusting God. These things lead him to inquire of the witch at Endor. By his own will he traveled in disguise seeking to know the will of God concerning the outcome of the battle with the Philistines. Instead of trusting the God of Israel and seeking him with a pure heart, he instead went the way of the world seeking an alternative. Fear and deceit had its grip on his heart and therefore could misguide him. By disguising himself, he did not want to be recognized by the woman or others that might have been at Endor. When King Saul removed his kingly robe that represented his authority and rule. He submitted to the spirit of witchcraft. Stepping out of his mantle and stooping down to this wicked woman to get directions, because he could not no longer hear from God. The actions of King Saul caused him to lose his life for his transgression and his descendants lost their right to the loyal lineage of kings. Saul was chosen by God and had the mantle of leadership for the nation of Israel was upon him. Saul broke his covenant connection with God by seeking out supernatural wisdom from the kingdom of darkness. I Chronicles 10:13-14 I Chronicles 10:13- So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it. I Chronicles 10:14- And inquired not of the Lord: therefore, He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. Spiritual Warfare and Authority as Believers II Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. II Timothy 1: 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. It isn’t difficult to understand King Saul’s heart when he saw the army of the Philistines. Believing in his heart that they were already defeated. The spirit of fear was overpowering his judgement and his authority. He was anointed to save his people from the Philistines. His faith in God was gone, the only force that was in operation was fear. Which is opposite of faith, brought him under the influence of its power. When the devil is setting a trap, fear will entice you causing you to wonder around in doubt and unbelief. It is at this point that you question your calling, wonder whether you heard God correctly, or seeking the advice of others. Because God some time is silent. Many great leaders have felt out of place in their calling or positions in ministry because they don’t understand the silent seasons when God seem to distance Himself. The enemy make you feel as if you have sin or transgressed the laws of God to point that you have lost fellowship. As in King Saul’s situation we see how the enemy used the spirit of fear as the first choice of the attack. Using the fear that was already in the heart of the king enticed him to commit a transgression against the laws of God. It was an abomination for the children of God to seek the advice of a witch. This not the first time that the spirit of fear has caused the people of God to be defeated in the eyes of their enemies. One fearful man will infect a whole army. The ten spies that was sent out to investigate the land of promise, and to bring back their report. When the fearful spies return the report was full of fear, they said the people of the land was bigger and mightier than they were. Their fear was transferred to the entire nation, causing them to remain in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers chapter 13 and 14). Deuteronomy 20:1- When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. (NIV). Ephesians 6:10-18- Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit; being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. The struggle with spiritual forces Ephesians 6: 12- For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. The word translated ‘struggle’ occurs nowhere else in the New Testament and is not frequent in other writing. It refers primarily to wrestling but can be use more generally to a fight or battle. “flesh and blood” is a Semitism for “human.” What the Apostle Paul meant, therefore, is: “Our struggle is not with human beings, but with evil spiritual forces.” This is the only place in the New Testament where the Christian life is described with this sort of language. Of the four expressions used for spiritual forces in verse 12 only ‘rulers’ and ‘authorities’ appear in the earlier list of five terms for spiritual forces in (Ephesians 1:21) We are not to conclude that the seven categories of demonic spirits exist; rather, both passages pile up terms for emphasis and rhetorical impact. The two new terms do add deal linking these forces to darkness and evil. Powers of this dark world, if translated more literally, would be ‘world rulers of this darkness’ and is reminiscent of 2:2 and 5:8-11. This spiritual struggle takes place in the heavenly realms. This does not mean a struggle in heaven. Those who live in Christ have been given every spiritual gift and are made alive and enthroned with Christ (1:3; 2:6) in the heavenly reality. His own enthronement in the heavenly reality God’s reality includes the subjection of every power (1:20). Believers have the task in this unseen reality to make God’s wisdom known to the spiritual powers (3:10) and to stand against them (6:10-13). Our enthronement with Christ above the powers determines how we live on earth. Our struggle reflects the heavenly reality, which means we struggle against subjected powers. The powers many rule darkness and evil, but we as Christians no longer live there. (5:8; 16). Verse 12 explains standing ‘against the devil’s schemes’ in verse 11, Paul was not thinking about structures of evil such as government, law or social conventions. Rather his thoughts were of spiritual beings seeking to disrupt life as God intended it. Lighthouse Ministry presented a bible study manual in the principles and practice of spiritual warfare. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1John 3:8). Who is the enemy of our souls? Satan and his dominions are. For the weapons of our warfare are divinely powerful to the pulling down of strongholds and casting out imaginations that try to exhort itself against our knowledge of God. Luke 10:19- Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. We were created to walk in God’s authority over the powers of darkness here on earth, but we lost the right to do so through the sin of Adam and Eve, Praise God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has recovered that authority and restored back to us. We were created to rule over the earth and all God has made in it. Genesis 1:28- And God blesses them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’. Because of their disobedience and sin Adam and Eve lost their position of authority given to them by God. They believed the lie of the enemy. That what God had given was not good, not complete, and they needed to reject His authority to become God-like. We were given our position in Christ when we accept Him as our personal Savior, submitting to Him as our Lord and were born again. The Holy Spirit then indwell us and gave us power to live a victoriously life from our position in Christ in the heavenlies. We therefore take our position when we start to appropriate what we have been given. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name. John 1: 12. Ephesians 1: 13-14- In Him you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge to our inheritance, with a view of the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Galatians 4:4-7- But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might received the adoption as sons, and because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba Father!. Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son’ and if a son, then an heir through God”. Colossians 1:13-14- For He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 2:6- God raised us up with Him (Christ) and seated us with Him in the heavenly placed in Christ Jesus. We have been given ‘fullness’ in Christ, because we are His body. His life gives us resurrection life so that we have everything we need to live a victorious life when we have Christ. Ephesians 3:19- and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and partake of His divine nature through our union with Christ in every area of our life that is given to Him and is free from enemy control. Colossians 2: 9, 10 “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete and he is the head over all rule and authority. “ 2 Peter 1: 3 “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Jesus secured our position of absolute authority and victory over satan and his kingdom of darkness. Our Lord Jesus is led after baptism into the wilderness to meet our enemy in mortal combat. To secure for us the right to confront the enemy and declare him defeated, Jesus had to first, personally, as a man overcome the Devil’s power. He met him as the second Adam, as a holy Man. He walked Adam’s road out to the demonic wastelands where Satan ruled. He was weak, tired and hungry. Not exactly what we would call battle ready in our terms. And yet, He meets Satan with the Holy Word of God then, in strong rebuke, commands him to “Be gone.” The stage is set, Satan is clearly revealed as Jesus’ and our mortal enemy. Jesus is now ready to begin His proclamation of the Kingdom, of healing, and of deliverance from the kingdom of Satan. The Apostle John declared, “for this reason the Son of God appeared that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. In dozens of other encounters with Satan in subsequent ministries, each time Jesus came against him and evil spirits with a strong verbal rebuke and commanded them to “Come out”, “Leave”, “Do not return. As believers we practice Christ’s authority daily in our lives, home, workplace, and communities. Christ's authority and our authority in Him are expressed frequently in the context of deliverance. Jesus said that it is our faith in Him that gives us the boldness to speak to the mountains. Jesus did not say “Pray about the mountains”. In Matthew 17: 14- 21, a demonized boy, whom the disciples were unable to free, was brought to Jesus and was delivered from a demon. The disciples asked, "Why could we not cast it out? He replied, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there," and it shall move: and nothing shall be impossible to you." Matthew 17: 20 In this passage it is clear that the disciples had Christ's authority but were still learning to stand in total dependence on Christ against the enemy. This key to using Christ's authority in our own lives is faith. Our Lord said that a very small amount of faith was all that was required to speak to the mountains (or strongholds in our life) and command them to be removed. Because of our position in Christ, far above all evil powers including Satan himself, we have authority over all his works and purposes. It is in the obedient exercise of our authority that we are victorious over Satan. " The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3: 8b In John 4: 4, we read, "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." Colossians 2: 6-10 indicates that "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete and He is the head over all rule and authority." We share in Christ's position and authority now and forever by being a joint heir with Him. Romans 8: 14—17, "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." Revelation 2:26- To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. Revelations 2:27- that one will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery just as I have received authority from my Father. The apostle John, having in the foregoing chapter written the things which he had seen, now proceeds to write the things that are, according to the command of God (Rev. 1:19), that is the present state of the seven churches of Asia, with which he had a particular acquaintance, and for which he had a tender concern. He was directed to write to everyone of them according to their state and circumstances, and to inscribe every letter to the angel of the church, to the minister or rather ministry of that church, called angles because they are the messengers of God to mankind. We have the power through our spiritual weapons to demolish all the strongholds of the enemy. In the same way a general has military authority and power to defeat the enemy, we also have Christ’s authority and power to defeat Satan and his army. The general has power and authority through his position granted to him from his superior. He has the power available to defeat the enemy, because he is backed by the entire military force that stands ready to respond to his command. The general does not use his own power, but rather uses the forces supplied to him. If another person steps into the same position, he has the same power. In the same manner, we have the authority over all the power of the enemy in our position in Christ. We have the most powerful weapons in the universe at our command to utterly defeat the enemy. The Lord Jesus Christ stands behind our command with His power and the entire army of heavenly hosts. The weapons of our warfare are supernatural. “…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Cor. 10:4 1. They include: a. The blood of the Lamb of God b. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ c. The word of our testimony d. Our crucified life which by faith allows the supernatural Son of God to live His life through us by His Holy Spirit. e. The all-powerful Word of God—the Holy Bible "The ultimate call to war against the powers of darkness is Revival! But the ultimate of that Revival which will come as the result of victory over Satan is Ascension Triumph: The Millennial appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the casting of Satan and all his powers to the abyss." Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man Jesse Penn-Lewis, a mighty warrior for God, had this to say about the need for God’s armor. Here are three important aspects of wearing the armor of God. Do you live in the full benefit of the Armor? "The believer who takes up the whole armor of God as a covering and protection against foe, must himself walk in victory over the enemy. He must have (1) his spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so that he is strengthened with the might of God to stand unshaken; (2) his mind renewed (Romans 12:2) so that he has his understanding filled with the light of truth (Ephesians 1:18) displacing Satan's lies, and destroying the veil with which Satan once held it; the mind clarified so that he intelligently understands what the will of the Lord is; (3) his body subservient to the Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:25-27), and obedient to the will of God in life and service." Jesse Penn-Lewis. War on the Saints We will be able to resist and stand firm in the evil day when we wear the full armor of God. (vs. Eph. 6:13) "Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." vs. 13. 1. "Take up" means “to seize”. It is the picture of a soldier putting on his warfare gear, soberly and in proper order. Nothing can be out of place. Nothing can be missing. 2. "The full armor of God" - every piece of the armor illustrates a facet of Christ. We will see how each piece is applied to our victory. 3. "Evil days" are times or seasons of more severe attack. Job went through "evil days" that were satanically caused, but allowed by God to test, prove, mature and develop humble Job into a spiritually discerning man of God who was equipped to minister to his friends (Job 42:8). Now that you have been set free, the warfare you face will serve God’s purposes. What will be the result? Read the following verses first. 1 Peter 1: 3-9 We "stand firm" by submitting to God, taking our position in Christ and resisting the devil. When we stand firm, we are spiritually victorious. We are guaranteed that when the attack is over, we will still be standing firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5: 8-10). "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13: 14. Warfare Principle: The putting on of the individual pieces of the armor all attribute to our ability to stand under demonic attack. Put on the BELT OF TRUTH around your waist (vs. Eph. 6:14). "Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth...." vs. 14 a. "Stand" is an active military position that indicates that we are not to move out of position in an army. We don't have the same job, but we share the same military objective; defeating Satan's army through the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ and taking treasures out of darkness. Read Isaiah 45: 2-3. What do you think the ‘treasures out of darkness are? the lost, souls of people who have not been saved, people in bondage. Literally, "having girded your loins with truth" means having our waist encircled or belted with the Truth. The Roman soldier wore a very wide belt. This was the foundational piece for his military equipment. At one place was a loop for the sword; another loop had three leather thongs dangling from it; there was also a sack of rations. Truth reflects the reality that is God. He has shared with us Himself and that which is reality for our human dimension. He brought down this truth to earth in His Son. God speaks by means of the Holy Bible and His Son and the Holy Spirit to remind us of the Truth. Read the following verses and write your own definition of Truth: John 8: 31-32 John 14: 16,17. Put on the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs. Eph. 6:14). The Roman breastplate was made of bronze or iron. It was secured to the belt by three leather thongs already mentioned that hung from the belt. This breastplate functioned as protection for the vital organs of the body - the heart and lungs. The heart must be protected as the storage place for Scripture. The conscience and heart determine the mental attitude and behavior of the Christian soldier and must be free of accusation. We find importance of walking in Truth in the following verses: Psalm 19: 14 Psalm 119:11 Proverbs 4: 20- 23. What is righteousness? Righteousness is a right standing before God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is our moral uprightness, purity, wisdom and holiness. As we claim His Righteousness, the Accuser cannot penetrate us with his accusations. " But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1 Corinthians 1: 30, 31. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him, freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies." Romans 8: 31-33. "HAVING SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE"; or "ON YOUR FEET THE READINESS THAT COMES FROM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE "(NIV) (vs. 15). The definition of spiritual authority