Category: Discipleship Foundations

Chapter 56: Worship

Worship is the natural response of a heart aligned with God. If our hearts have been enlightened through revelation and reading the Bible to understand at least a little of who God is, worship and praise will come forth from our hearts and mouths quite effortlessly. However, we do not always feel like worshiping God, and this makes worship one of the most important spiritual disciplines.

We can worship without regard to our feelings because God is worthy.

We sometimes lose sight of God’s worthiness and glory and take for granted how much he has blessed us. Sometimes we experience heaviness because of the tests and difficulties of everyday life or some particularly difficult circumstance. It is during these times that we can discipline ourselves to worship God because it is the right thing to do.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!  Psalm 30:11–12 (NLT) —

King David commanded his soul (mind, will, and emotions) to worship God, and so can we. We can choose to worship even when we may not feel like it, because God is worthy. We can praise the Lord because of what He has done, is doing, and what he promises to do on our behalf.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalms 103:1-5 (NASB)

Our ultimate desire should be to bring glory to Him because he is glorious and worthy.

"I love You, O LORD, my strength." 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:1-3 (NASB)

Focusing on God’s glory helps us to go beyond ourselves and our own needs. Worship can become more about who he is rather than what he had done, but both are important.

During good times and difficult ones, God remains the same; therefore, the appropriateness for worship is constant.

Our worship is like the aroma of a sacrificial burnt offering that is able to bless the heart of the Almighty.

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB)

Worship includes all we do in loving obedience to God and begins with the surrender of our hearts, but the vocal component is essential.

We are privileged to use our voices to magnify God.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalms 104:33 (NASB)

It takes breath to sing and speak praises. God wants us to use this ability to bring glory to Him. It is a way of acknowledging him both privately and publicly. Those who do not know and serve God often refuse to acknowledge him, which is an affront to the Creator.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Romans 1:21 (NASB95) —

Even though the world tries to suppress the truth about God, we are privileged to acknowledge his glory in worship.

People are going to speak and sing about something. It is built into our nature. The devil hijacked this beautiful ability and often uses it for evil. Our fleshly propensity to sin is all too cooperative. Followers of Christ have the enormous privilege and responsibility to bring our vocal gifts back under the sway of the Holy Spirit. We can do our part by regularly offering up the sacrifice of praise throughout the day.

In the Bible grumbling and complaining against God and our circumstances is a serious sin which is fueled by unbelief and rebellion. We don’t like what is happening to us and cannot see how God can use it for good; so, we grumble and complain. When we are tempted to do this, we can command our souls to give praise instead. We will be amazed at the difference it makes in our lives and the glory it will bring to God.

Praise helps us maintain a faith orientation toward God and his promises.

Spiritual Warfare

Worship also has a spiritual warfare component. It is a powerful way to combat the enemy of our souls.

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, 9 to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!  Psalm 149:6–9 (NLT) —

We know that our battle is not against humans, but against spiritual principalities and powers. Sometimes spiritual wickedness finds expression in people. This happened often in Israel’s history, and still does. When King Jehoshaphat faced a seemingly overwhelming enemy army, through Jahaziel the prophet God promised that Israel would not have to fight, but God would battle for her. The king believed the promise and put praisers out in front of the army. God kept his promise and routed the enemy without the Israeli army having to engage. This is recorded in the following passage.

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.  2 Chronicles 20:21–22 (NASB95) —

Praising God in the face of an enemy assault is a first line of defense and offense. Another similar passage is found in Exodus when Israel was fighting Amalek. As long as Moses kept his hands lifted, which is an attitude of worship and praise, Israel was victorious. When Moses let down his arms, Israel suffered defeat.

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  Exodus 17:11–13 (NASB95) —

If we maintain an attitude of worship as a regular discipline, it will elevate our faith and focus on God and protect us against the enemy.

Worship in Tongues

Jesus told the woman at the well that God wants us to worship in spirit and in truth.

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:23–24 (NLT) —

Worshiping God in truth requires us to know and confess the truth about God written in the Bible. We worship him for who he is, not who we want him to be. Worshiping in truth also means that we come to him honestly, not hypocritically. We open our hearts to him, instead of pretending to be someone we are not. He sees through us already anyway. 

Worshiping in spirit means we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in or worship and service to God.

This includes allowing the Spirit to speak and sing through us with heavenly words.

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.  1 Corinthians 14:2 (NASB95) — 

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26–27 (NASB95) —

Speaking and singing in tongues is a wonderful way to worship.

Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NLT) —

The gift of speaking in tongues is one of the most important and useful of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. When we speak, pray, or sing in tongues, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is speaking through us in a language known to God but not us. The words are untainted by human bias or misunderstanding. They are in perfect alignment with God’s will, too. I teach more on that in another article entitled, “What’s So Great about Tongues?”

Normally tongues are spoken directly to God and is for our personal benefit or the benefit of someone for whom we pray. If tongues are spoken aloud in a meeting in a way that focuses all attention on the speaker, the message should be interpreted so that our hearers will derive some benefit, too.

In a time of worship, when our focus is entirely on the Lord, it is appropriate for people to sing or speak in tongues to the Lord. We are not trying to edify one another. We are glorifying God.

Paul wrote the following.

What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.  1 Corinthians 14:15–19 (NASB95) —

In other words, when everyone is singing in English, we should sing along in the same language. There is a time, however, when the entire congregation can worship together in the spirit or tongues. I have heard some of the most beautiful harmonies while participating in congregational singing in tongues. It is as if we were a heavenly choir being directed by the Holy Spirit.

When I was a new believer, I remember feeling as if I had a “lid” on my worship. I would frequently reach a place where I wanted to express myself further but was unable. After receiving the gift of tongues, I never felt that way again.

Singing in the spirit enables us to perfectly express our worship without being limited by the human mind.

The Widow’s Offering

It is important for us to understand that God wants us to give what we have. Jesus praised the widow who gave a very small amount, but it was all she had.

Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:43–44 (NASB95) —

Some of us have been given immense vocal and musical talent, such as King David. Others of us cannot carry a tune in a bucket. Thankfully, the Bible says to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” (Psalm 66:1 KJV) This noise may be spoken words, a shout, singing aloud, or something musical. All God wants is the best we can give. He wants our hearts more than anything else.

O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.  Proverbs 23:26 (NLT) —

If we give God our hearts, we will worship the way he desires.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever made the decision to praise God during a difficult situation? What was the result?
  • Have you ever received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues?
  • Have you ever worshiped God in the spirit (tongues)?
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Chapter 55: Fasting

Fasting is an important spiritual discipline practiced by people in the Old Testament, our Lord, and followers of Christ. It is a form of self-denial that helps us focus on the Lord and prayer. Fasting does not earn “points” with God or make us more acceptable in His eyes. Instead, it is meant to help us grow relationally with the Lord.

Jesus taught that fasting is a normal part of kingdom life.

In his sermon on the mount, he told us how to fast. 

And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get.17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

Fasting helps us understand that what we need most in life is God Himself, not what He provides.

It helps us to step back from what usually fills our time and thoughts during a normal day so that we can come aside to seek the Lord without distraction. It is a reminder that, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4 NASB)

God has no difficulty speaking to us, but we often have a hard time accurately hearing what He is saying because we are so distracted with the business and cares of ordinary life.

Fasting helps to open our hearts and minds to God.

God wants us to hunger for him more than for food. He will fill the hungry heart.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  John 6:35 (NASB95) —

Usually, we must be desperate to be motivated to deprive ourselves of food. This desperation may stem from our facing an emergency or having a pressing need, but what a blessing it is if our desperation originates from a deep desire to know God better.

Whatever might be our motivation to fast, God promises that if we seek him, we will find Him.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Matthew 7:7–8 (NASB95) —

We get insight into God’s purpose for fasting in Isaiah 58.

"Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? 7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, 10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. 11 "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 12 "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:6-12 (NASB) 

Fasting is meant to turn our hearts toward the things that move God to compassion and away from what bring grief and pain to Him, such as our selfishness and sin.

Fasting temporarily separates us from the food that brings comfort and nourishment to us so that we might become part of God’s solution for those who are hurting and helpless. Fasting can be a gateway into practical service, which is evidence the gospel is having sway in our lives. 

It is a good idea to fast when faced with critical needs and challenges that only God can meet.

It helps us come to terms with how much we need God’s help. Old Testament saints frequently fasted and prayed when only God could save them, and He did.

So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.  Ezra 8:23 (NASB95) —

Fasting helps to hone our spiritual “edge” so that we can avoid becoming “dull of hearing” and slow to obey.

Daniel the prophet sought the Lord regarding Israel’s return from Babylonian captivity. He wanted the Lord to reveal to him more about his plan.

During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.  Daniel 9:2–3 (NLT) —

God sent his angel with the answer.

I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. 21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.  Daniel 9:20–22 (NLT) —

Often fasting is appropriate prior to taking some big step of faith. We want to make sure that we are hearing God correctly before launching out.

Jesus fasted for forty days before launching his public ministry. Paul spent time fasting after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, after which he received his commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas were part of a group which was fasting and worshiping when they received a commission from the Holy Spirit to go on their first missionary journey.

There are all sorts of ways to fast. One can abstain completely from all food and water or just from food. Some people fast a meal, some all or part of a day, and others fast for several days at a time. How we fast is a matter of what God is speaking to our hearts, our own choice, and what is medically wise for us. Long fasts need to be done with some knowledge of how to stay properly hydrated and nourished and how to properly conclude the fast without producing undesirable effects on our digestive system. Diabetics and those who must eat on a regular schedule may be unable to fast in a traditional sense and choose to fast from other things that will help them focus more on seeking God, such as TV, reading, hobbies, etc.

Remember that fasting is not nearly as important as connecting with God.

If we fast without devoting ourselves to the Lord, we may help ourselves health wise but miss the greater blessing.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Have you ever fasted for a spiritual purpose? What good did you derive from it?
  • Is there any reason for you to fast now?
  • How often do you think it would be good to fast as a spiritual discipline?
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Chapter 54: Prayer

Prayer is an important spiritual discipline that deepens our relationship with God. King David knew a lot about God. He wrote the following.

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours...  Psalm 62:11–12 (NLT) —

Prayer is directly related to our knowing God as David did.

God wants us to know that he is loving and powerful enough to answer our prayers.

Just as a relationship between two people thrives when there is open and honest communication, a good prayer life includes speaking, listening, and honesty.

A good example comes from Acts when Peter received the vision of a sheet being lowered from heaven. (Acts 10:9-16) He saw the vision, heard God speak, and responded honestly. Then God spoke again. Peter did not immediately comprehend what God meant, but it quickly became apparent to him and guided his response to a very important request.

Our prayer life grows as we develop our ability to hear God’s voice clearly and accurately.

It is important for us to believe that God can and will speak to us in a way we can understand. Jesus said that we can hear his voice.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  John 10:27 (NASB95) —

Faith is a necessary component of an effective prayer life.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

Faith makes us bold and persistent. We grow in confidence when we believe that God loves us and is predisposed to grant our requests. When we understand our Lord’s ways, it helps us to persevere until we receive what we requested.

God answers our prayers by granting them immediately, denying them, or delaying his response. Instead of reading his lack of immediate response negatively and giving up, God wants us to exercise our faith by being persistent.

Jesus used a parable of a persistent widow who repeatedly asked a judge to act in her behalf to encourage us to pray without giving up. (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus’ point was not that God responds to nagging. He is not an unrighteous judge. Instead, our Lord wants us to persist in the knowledge that he is loving, faithful, and eager to bless us, even if he delays his answer to our prayers.

There are reasons God may delay. Timing is a crucial element to God’s plan and is the part that we often do not understand.

God wants us to grow in patience as we confidently wait for the answer.

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.  Hebrews 6:12 (NLT) —

By delaying his answer, our Lord may allow us to participate in spiritual warfare.

When Daniel persistently prayed and fasted for the nation of Israel, eventually an angel appeared and told him the following.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.  Daniel 10:12–13 (NLT) —

Admittedly, our prayers rarely, if ever, rise to the level of importance of Daniel’s, nevertheless, we may encounter spiritual resistance that must be overcome by faithful persistence.

Sometimes God accumulates prayers until a “tipping point” is reached, at which time he “pours out” his answer. This principle is revealed in the following verses.

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  Revelation 5:8 (NASB95) — 

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.  Revelation 8:3–5 (NASB95) —

Our prayers accumulate until God’s chosen time to answer them.

If we give up before he provides the answer, it may rob us of participating in something glorious.

Our prayers precede the historical outworking of the answer; therefore, prayer, like prophecy, is always out in front of what we experience as the fulfillment.

Only people of faith can live in the tension created by persisting in prayer without seeing immediate fulfillment.

Prayer is also a clear measure of how dependent we are upon God. We often think that we can handle things on our own without turning to God first. It is sometimes only after failure and frustration that it occurs to us to pray.

Prayer reveals our reliance upon God for direction and assistance. Prayer does not provide us with an excuse not to act – far from it. As we listen in prayer, God will give us a better understanding of what we are to do and wisdom regarding how to best proceed. Prayer sharpens the ax, so to speak.

Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.  Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT) —

Prayer transitions us from self-reliance to God reliance.

The Lord wants prayer be one of our top priorities and a spiritual discipline that is well-established in our lives. Jesus gave us the example we are to follow, and Paul reinforced that example with his own life and these words.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

There are various kinds of prayer – praise and thanksgiving, petitions, prophetic proclamations, intercession, and praying “in the Spirit.”

We can use each kind of prayer as appropriate to the situation in which we find ourselves, and always with faith.

Praise

Offering praise and thanksgiving is almost always the right thing to do. Paul wrote:

And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)

Praise should be made in any and every situation since we believe that God is sovereign and is working all things, even the seemingly bad things, for our good and His glory.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NASB95) —
 
Prophetic Proclamations

Praise paves the way for prayers of faith. When we surrender to God afresh by giving Him the praise that is His due, despite what may be happening around us, we open our hearts to hear from Him concerning his perspective and what He wants to do. Once we gain this spiritual insight, we can make petitions based on his will and even declare prophetically what He will do.

Prophetic proclamations are possible when we have faith that God has shown us what He is wants to do.

The word of prophecy can release faith and the power of God into a situation. This all begins with our praise that comes from complete surrender to His will in our lives combined with the faith that he is at work for our good and his glory.

When we ask anything in faith that agrees with God’s will, we can be sure of receiving what we ask for.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)
 
Petitions

Prayer is more than bringing a laundry list of petitions to God. It is coming before our Father and King to be with Him, listen to Him, and ask for what He desires to do as well as for what we need and want. It should be much more than a formalized ritual.

Prayer is based on a relationship with a real Person who governs the universe, loves us beyond comprehension, desires for us to be with him, and is predisposed to bless us.

We have every right, thanks to what Jesus did for us, to come boldly and confidently before the throne of grace with the expectation that our loving Abba Father will generously give us what we need.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

God wants us to bring our petitions to him. Even though he knows ahead of time what we need and want, there is something important about our asking him.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) —

The asking reveals a lot about our relationship with him. If we believe he loves us, we should not be hesitant to ask for his help. If we think he is reluctant or too busy for us, it reveals that we do not yet know him as we should.

Intercession

Intercession is a type of prayer in which we petition God for someone else.

We use our privileged access to God’s presence for the benefit of others. Jesus continually intercedes for us; so, it is our privilege to do the same for others.

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.  Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) —

We may be led to intercede when we begin to understand and perhaps even feel the burdens that others carry. We bring these burdens to God and make an exchange with Him – His peace for our burden.

Only God is strong enough to carry the heavy weight of the burdens of others. Prayer is our way of releasing to God what we cannot carry alone and receiving from Him the grace we need for joyful living.

Praying in the Spirit

Praying in the Spirit is when we allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us with words known only to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2)

When we pray “in tongues,” the Holy Spirit puts words in our mouths that are in perfect alignment with God’s will.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)

Since only God knows exactly what each of us always needs, praying in the Spirit is often the most effective type of prayer we can make. While it may not always be appropriate to pray aloud in tongues, we can never go wrong by praying quietly in the Spirit.

The Prayer of Faith

James wrote that we are to pray in faith just as Elijah did.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.  James 5:16–18 (NASB95) —

God wants us to be unmovable in our faith. The alternative is to be what the Bible calls “double minded.”

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:5–8 (NASB95) —

If we lack faith, we can ask the Lord to help us “in our unbelief.”

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  Mark 9:23–24 (NASB95) —

The Holy Spirit is the one who develops faith in our lives as a fruit. He wants to make us “full of faith” as a lifestyle. In the final analysis, all faith derives from God and is a gift.

Prayer is a way for us to ask for faith, exercise faith, and demonstrate faith.

The important thing is for us to pray. For many of us, prayer is difficult because we tend to want to “do” something instead of coming aside to talk to and be with God. Or maybe we do not really believe that God wants us to be comfortable in his presence. Perhaps we are still afraid of him for some reason or think he doesn’t have time for us. May God deliver us from every lie that seeks to rob us of knowing God more intimately!

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What is the easiest way for you to pray?
  • What is the most challenging aspect of prayer for you?
  • Do you feel that you understand what it means to pray in the Spirit or tongues?
  • Do you think it is right to proclaim aloud what we believe God is going to do?
  • Have you ever persevered in prayer and seen the answer eventually arrive?
  • What did that do for your faith?
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Chapter 50: The Authority of God’s Word

The Bible is God’s revealed Word and has tremendous authority in our lives, but for it to benefit us, we must embrace and submit to its truth.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)  

Every person needs to be taught the truth about God, sin, righteousness, mercy, and what it means to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit through grace. That is why I wrote this series of teachings. None of us is has the capability of going it alone. All of us need constant input from the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and one another. This can only properly happen in the context of the kind of relationships God wants us to have in the church.

In his only letter to the church, James, the Lord’s brother, wrote that we should “humbly accept the Word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (James 1:21b NLT)

Every follower of Christ must decide what relationship he or she will have with the Bible. This is one of the most important life decisions we will ever make.

Some regard the Bible as a book written by men that is full of errors and outdated cultural biases. Others believe the Bible “contains” the Word of God but should not be taken literally. A third “higher” view is that the Bible in its original form is the inspired and infallible Word of God. This is the one that the apostle Paul embraced, as shown in our opening Bible selection. Which view we adopt will affect everything else in our lives.

The first view is an outright rejection of God’s revealed truth.  The second leads us to the edge of the slippery slope where we get to decide what parts of the Bible to accept and what to reject. This cafeteria approach to the Bible makes us arbiters of truth, a position we are not equipped to handle. There is only one Person who is called “the truth,” our Lord Jesus. (John 14:6) He is the only arbiter of truth, and he said that scripture cannot be altered or “broken.”  

And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered… John 10:35a (NLT)

I grew up in the Catholic Church, which regards Scripture to be on an equal footing with church tradition. No one ever told me that I must believe that every Word of the Bible is the truth until after I was born again. Could I submit my life to what is written in the Bible? Could I give the written scriptures the authority to have ultimate sway in my life? How could I resolve this crisis?

The resolution came through the application of Holy Spirit logic. After the Holy Spirit opened the “eyes of my heart” (Ephesians 1:18) to the truth, I knew that Jesus is who the Bible says he is and that He rose from the dead. I figured that being the resurrected Lord of lords qualifies Him as an authority on spiritual matters. Jesus believed that the Scriptures were infallible and the literal Word of God. In fact, he used his faith in the truth of God’s Word to defeat the temptations of Satan.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 (NASB95) —

Like Jesus, we are to live by “every” Word that God has spoken and is recorded in the Bible.

Since Jesus knows a lot more than I do about such matters, I decided to trust His judgment. I made the decision to accept the authority of the Bible as God’s infallible Word.

This means that when the Bible was originally inspired by God’s Spirit and written, it was without error. The Holy Spirit superintended the transmission of the scriptures down through the ages, as shown by the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. The rule of thumb we use is that the older the original manuscript, the more reliable it is. As a result of ongoing archaeological discoveries, translators today have access to much older documents than did the men who worked on the King James Version, for example.

Regardless of how accurate the original documents are, modern translators are tasked with rendering an accurate version of the original in our own language. This has many challenges, not the least of which is what is called translator’s bias. All of us bring our own world view, presuppositions, and theological leanings into the mix. For this reason, it is advisable to know as much as we can about the original languages, read various translations, and use notes and commentaries to help us understand difficult passages. First and foremost, however, we should rely on the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.  1 John 2:27 (NLT) —

Therefore, we should never place our ultimate confidence in any one translation, such as many do with the King James Version. To do so reveals that we have put ultimate confidence in the work of a few translators using less than the best original documents. Instead, let’s put our trust in the Spirit of God who has made sure that the Word of God has been accurately transmitted down through the ages, but that all translations are subject to human error.

In conclusion, it is wise for us to rely on the Spirit of God, multiple translations, and the insights God has given to serious students of the Bible through the centuries.

Each follower of Christ must settle the issue of surrendering to the authority of the Bible, or we will be held back in our spiritual development. It is said that Billy Graham also struggled in this area as a young preacher, but after he decided to accept the Bible without reservation, his ministry took off.

The Bible’s authority is self-authenticating.

There is no higher authority to which we can turn to validate it, except to the Author himself. That is why it is profitable for us to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit who inspired it. As we read and meditate on its words, the Holy Spirit works inside us to convince us of its truth. Once we come to this point, we will be able accept its commands, warnings, and encouragement.

It is important that we accept the words of Bible without deleting or adding anything.

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 (NASB)

Jesus also said:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV)

Jesus’ view of Scripture was and is extremely high. He was able to overcome the devil’s temptations by saying, “It is written.” He was able to make sense out of all the suffering He had to endure by saying, “It is written.”

God’s Word is the key to understanding and navigating life.

Jesus told us that the words written in the Bible have a spiritual component. We cannot approach God’s Word merely intellectually, as we would some subject taught in school. Unless we understand that God’s Word is “alive,” we will miss out on much. Jesus said:

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 (NASB)

The Word of God is not just ink on paper. Jesus is the embodiment or incarnation of the Word of God, the eternal and divine Logos, who came in the flesh as a human being.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 (NASB95) —

When we read and meditate on the Bible, the Holy Spirit enlivens and empowers the words which are powerful and able to discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB)

Peter told Jesus, “You alone have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68)

To reject the Bible’s authority is to reject Jesus as Lord. To accept the authority of God’s Word is to make a place for Jesus to rule in our lives.

If we reject God’s Word, we reject His means of bringing correction, faith, change, and life to us. When our hearts truly hear God’s Word through revelation, faith springs up in our hearts. The Word of God can transform us and is the means of the release of God’s power here on earth. But we must believe it. If we reject God’s Word, we question God’s infinite wisdom and awesome knowledge and understanding. In short, we elevate our puny reasoning above the mind of God! This is a serious mistake and shows that we have a dangerous independence and pride.

Accepting the authority of our Lord and his Word brings humility into our lives. We learn to put more confidence in him and the Bible’s teachings than we do in ourselves or other human authorities.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 (NASB)

God wants us to admit that we do not know all things or are able to even think like God in many cases. His ways and thoughts very often are not like ours at all.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)

Until we come to the place of leaning more on God’s Word than on our own understanding, we are not really disciples at all.

Here is how Jesus put it.

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 (NASB)

A disciple can be easily identified by his or her relationship to God’s Word. A person who highly esteems and bows before the authority of the Word of God is the real deal.

For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2 (NASB)

Once we submit to the authority of the Word, we can use that authority for good. God’s promises can be taken at face value and become the basis for our faith. God’s promise coupled with our faith releases God’s power. God wants his Word to be more real to us than our own reasoning and experience. When we trust in what the Bible says despite contradictory evidence, feelings, or reasoning, we pass the test that Adam and Eve failed and become overcomers. Choosing God’s truth over the lies of the devil is a form of worship. Paul wrote that we can “…walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7) The victory that overcomes the world is our faith. (1 John 5:4) God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Did you ever have crisis of faith relating to the authority of God’s Word?
  • Why must the Bible be self-authenticating?
  • Why is it so dangerous to reject any part of the Bible?
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Chapter 49: Authority to Pray

Jesus gave his disciples the authority to pray. When we ask for something in Christ’s name, we use his authority as ambassadors or representatives.

In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. John 16:23 (NASB)

Many think of God mainly as our provider and treat prayer mainly as a submission of a needs list in the hope he will give us what we want, but prayer is much more than that. It is how we communicate with God and involves both listening and speaking. The Bible makes it clear that God can communicate effectively with us.

“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”  John 10:3 NASB2020

Every true child of God has been given the ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. At first, we may be very unskilled at discerning what he says, but the more we grow in that area, the more clearly we can discern God’s voice.

Prayer helps us to grow in our ability to hear and respond to the voice of God.

Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father is the perfect provider who knows what we need before we even ask. (Mat. 6:32) Our Lord commanded us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, his rule and authority. If we do this, Jesus promised that all we need will be given to us. (Matthew 6:33)

Once we become convinced that God is our loving provider, we understand that He has given us authority to pray persistently and without shame.

Here is how prayer is designed by God to work. God has a plan (his will) with which He wants us to align. He desires that his will become our will. As we seek to discern and obey God’s will, His perfect provision will always be there for us; although, we may need to ask and believe for it.

If we wish to use our God-given authority to pray effectively, we must seek to discern and pray according to God’s will.

Here is what John wrote about this principle.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)

How do we know if we have prayed according to His will? There are no written guarantees that float down out of heaven to assure us when we have prayed a compliant prayer. To align our hearts with God’s, it helps to make a practice of delighting in him.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David wrote the following promise.

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4 (NASB95) —

As we delight in God, he will change our hearts so that we desire what he does. When this happens, we will quite naturally pray from the heart in alignment with his will.

We trust in God’s grace to help us in this area.

Here are some tips used by George Mueller, one of church history’s great prayer warriors, to help us pray according to God’s will.

HOW TO ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF GOD *
  1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the LORD’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
  2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions. I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
  3. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
  4. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.
  5. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

Although Jesus taught that whatever we ask for in faith we will receive (Mark 11:24), thankfully God does not give us everything we ask for.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3 (NASB)

We often ask for things without comprehending God’s purposes and ways. Our prayers may even oppose God’s will at times because we see things from such a limited perspective. This happened to the apostle Peter when he urged Jesus to avoid going to the cross. Sometimes God’s will goes against what we desire. Unless we learn to delight in God, we may have great difficulty praying as Jesus did in the Garden.

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Luke 22:42 (NLT) —

Jesus fully embraced his Father’s will, which allowed him to pray effectively. He expects us to do the same.

It is easy for us to err if we overemphasize a principle of God without regard to other scriptures that properly balance things. Jesus’ promise that God will give us whatever we ask must be balanced with the necessity to be in alignment with his will or we may become quite disappointed or even disillusioned.

Faith does not give us unrestricted authority to get anything and everything for which we pray. Faith presupposes that we are faithful to the Lord and his will.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) —

Real faith always aligns with God’s will. It is a gift that comes from God and is always in agreement with His will. Otherwise, we might do all manner of destructive and selfish things using the power of prayer.

When we delight in and agree with God, we can pray with great authority and faith knowing that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and will answer them. Therefore, prayer should be made with great boldness and the understanding that it is one of our great privileges as children of God who have access to his throne!

The Bible teaches us that through faith and persistence we obtain God’s promises. (Heb 6:12) Jesus gave us two parables to emphasize this principle. The first passage is Luke 11:5-13. Jesus praised the person who shamelessly and persistently asked his friend to get up in the middle of the night to give him some bread to feed his unexpected guests. In a similar passage found in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus praised the widow who shamelessly and relentlessly requested that the unjust judge grant her what she wanted. These two passages indicate that God wants us to demonstrate our faith through our persistence.

We can only be persistent if we believe that God will give us what we request. God wants us to come boldly and confidently to his throne to receive grace to help us in our time of need.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) —

When we discern and pray in unity with God’s will, it allows us to partner with him to shape the future.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us what our heavenly Father plans to do so that we can agree with him for that future and pray it in. This is a significant part of what it means to intercede and links the gift of prophecy to prayer. Once again this emphasizes how important it is to first discern God’s will.

Prayer is the engine that drives the ship. It is powerful but hidden. Those who labor in prayer may not receive much recognition here on earth, but our Father in heaven sees and will reward those who are faithful to pray.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (NASB)

* http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/Mueller.Answers.to.Prayer.html

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • What most encourages you to be bold and persistent in prayer?
  • Are you yet comfortable exercising your God-given authority in prayer?
  • Has God ever showed you what he plans to do so that you were able to agree with him in prayer?
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Chapter 45: Authority to Forgive

The authority to forgive is part of the preaching of the gospel. One of our chief themes relating to the proper use of authority is that we must be under authority in order to use authority. God’s servants are messengers or ambassadors carrying the gospel message and the authority of the King of Kings.

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said* to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:22-23 (NASB)

Greek verb tenses in the New Testament writings are significant. In the phrase “their sins have been forgiven them,” the verb is in the perfect tense which signifies completed past action that continues to affect the present.

Our ability to forgive sins is a function of what Christ already accomplished on the cross.

If people believe our presentation of the gospel, their sins are forgiven, not because we personally forgive them, but because they believe our claim that Christ already has. Our presentation is our part in providing them with forgiveness.

When we forgive, it is only because Christ has already forgiven. When we do not forgive, it is because He has not forgiven. Our ministry and message have no validity unless they perfectly correspond to His.

Isaiah 61:1 was Jesus’ theme verse for His ministry here on earth. One of the main components of that ministry was the proclamation of freedom.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;  Isaiah 61:1 (NASB95)

The gospel is a proclamation of deliverance from the penalty and oppression that sin produces.

It is an invitation which requires a response of repentance and faith. The gospel says that forgiveness of sins is available to all who believe in Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.  Acts 13:38–39 (NASB95)

When we announce these words, we use Christ’s authority to declare forgiveness of sins and retention of sins – forgiveness to those who believe the gospel and retention of sins and damnation to those who do not.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:18–21 (NLT) —

We also have a responsibility to forgive sins committed against us personally. When we do this, it is an acknowledgement that we are sinners, too, in deep need of God’s forgiveness. When we release others from whatever debt they may owe us, we both set them free from our judgment against them and liberate ourselves from self-condemnation.

If I refuse to forgive those who offend me, Jesus said that it interferes with my being forgiven by God. Simply put, we reap what we sow.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

It is important to understand, however, that if I refuse to forgive another person, my lack of obedience in this area does not stop God from forgiving that person. The one who sins against me can find forgiveness and freedom from God despite my smallness of heart. Otherwise, the gospel would be limited by the hardness of people’s hearts. Conversely, when we open our hearts to forgive someone, it opens wide God’s heart of mercy toward us.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Matthew 5:7 (NASB95)

The Roman Catholic Church uses the opening verse in today’s meditation to authorize its priests to grant or retain absolution for sins in the confessional. This gives men the power of forgiveness in a way that was never intended by God because it places another mediator between us and God. The Bible is clear that there is only One Mediator, and His name is Jesus.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time. 7 And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-7 (NLT)

One must wonder why a church supposedly representing God would teach people that they need another mediator to stand between them and God. The only logical conclusion is that it is done to manipulate and control. The gospel came to set the captive free, not imprison us under a religious system.

When we sin, the Bible teaches us that forgiveness comes from God alone.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.  Psalm 51:1–4 (NASB95)

However, God wants us to seek forgiveness from those here on earth we offend, too.

So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

Confessing our sins to another human being can have extremely beneficial effects but does not provide us with justification before God. Confession to others is part of our exposing our sins to the “light,” which God uses to help break us free from any residual power of sin in our lives.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV)

Such confession also opens the door for physical healing.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Only God has the power to forgive sins, and this power hinges upon Jesus’ offering of Himself on Calvary.

Since God is just, He could not forgive us unless Someone had paid a perfect ransom price to satisfy his justice.

That is what Jesus did for us at Calvary. Now God is both just and the justifier of those who place their trust in His Son.

For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25 For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. 26 And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26 (NLT)

In conclusion, it is important to realize that Christ died “once for all” to provide forgiveness and justification for all who come to him by faith.

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.  Hebrews 10:14–18 (NASB95)

Those who come to Christ will never be condemned for their sins. (John 5:24 and Romans 8:1)

Those who come to Christ are forgiven for all past, present, and future sins. Some believe this great truth gives us a license to sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Here is Paul’s response to such a suggestion.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Romans 6:1–4 (NLT) —

When Christ liberated us from the guilt and condemnation associated with sin, through the new birth he also changed our hearts and set us free from sin’s power to dominate us.

Now, at last, we are free to serve God from the heart, because it is what we want, not because it is a law. As the woman caught in adultery learned, once we experience God’s forgiveness, we are free to live for him.

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”  John 8:10–11 (NASB95) —
Click here to see the other articles in this series.

 

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. How are we to use the authority God has given to us to forgive sins?
  2. Why is it so important for us to forgive those who have offended us?
  3. Since Christ died for our sins “once for all,” is it still necessary for us to ask forgiveness when we sin?
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Chapter 44: Authority to Preach the Gospel

God gives his disciples the awesome authority, privilege, and responsibility to speak for him when we share the gospel.

You see, we are not like those hucksters—and there are many of them—who preach just to make money. We preach God's message with sincerity and with Christ's authority. And we know that the God who sent us is watching us. 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NLT)

It is our responsibility as Christ’s representatives to share the good news of salvation accurately and completely while maintaining a proper attitude.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB)

Ambassadors speak with the authority of the nation or person they represent. They must accurately communicate what they have been commissioned to speak. Ambassadors are not free agents who can make up their own rules or words on the fly. They are servants who are under authority who must behave wisely and speak exactly. Jesus was just such an ambassador for his Abba Father.

So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17  Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18  Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. John 7:16-18 (NLT)

When we share the good news, we invite our hearers on behalf of God to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.

The gospel is the most wonderful offer the world has ever known, even though the unsaved may reject the message and the messenger as false or worthless. Ambassadors are never responsible for how their message is received. Their job is simply to relay information back and forth between parties and to behave in such a way that will prevent unnecessary complications. Ambassadors are supposed be part of the solution, not instigators of additional problems.

When sharing the gospel, we should strive to avoid causing offense by speaking or acting unwisely or unlovingly.

The gospel is often offensive to us who do not yet know Christ because it addresses our sin and need for repentance. Unless the Holy Spirit brings us to a place to accept it, the gospel is a hard pill to swallow. If our hearers are going to repulse God’s invitation to reconciliation, let us strive to make sure it is because of the nature of the message and not because of something offensive in us. We never want to be a “stumbling block” in the path of person’s coming to God.

One way we can “stumble” people is by pretending to be something we are not. Sometimes we pretend to be better than those to whom we speak. This is a common pitfall for those who have been believers for a long time. We tend to forget that everyone completely depends on the mercy and grace of God. Unsaved people usually see through such hypocrisy. A good friend of mine tells people upfront in the conversation that he is a follower of Christ, but not a very good one. This defuses any suggestion that he is behaving like a hypocrite right from the start. A mountain preacher once invited a neighbor to come to church with him. The neighbor asked why would he want to be with a bunch of hypocrites? The preacher responded, “One more won’t hurt.” Sometimes humor coupled with honesty can work wonders.

An ambassador is backed up by the military power of the nation he or she represents. To mistreat an ambassador is the same as mistreating his or her sponsoring nation. Showing respect to an ambassador is to show respect to his nation.

When we preach the gospel, we are backed up by the authority and power of God and His kingdom.

Even though we have no personal standing with those to whom we speak, our being God’s representatives makes us very significant.

At times it may be appropriate to use our authority as ambassadors to call upon God’s power as we are directed by the Holy Spirit.

An example is when Paul confronted Elymas the sorcerer while preaching the gospel on the island of Cyprus.

But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 9  Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10  Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11  Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12  When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:8-12 (NLT)

Elymas did not attack Paul as a person. Instead, he sought to keep the governor from believing the gospel. Paul pronounced judgment upon this man which God enforced, which convinced the governor that the gospel is true. A rule of thumb might be that we should only do such things at the direction of the Holy Spirit to further the gospel and not simply to protect or avenge ourselves.

We are also authorized by God to pray for healings, miracles, and deliverances to confirm the authenticity of the gospel message.

When Paul preached the gospel at Iconium, the disciples used their authority as God’s representatives to heal in Christ’s name to validate the message.

Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.  Acts 14:3 (NASB95) —

When we share the message of salvation, let us remember that we are God’s ambassadors, which is both a privilege and a sobering responsibility. Our authority to offer forgiveness and reconciliation comes from Christ Himself. After his resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples.

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ Luke 24:47 (NLT)

As Christ’s representatives, let us use our God-given authority to share this message carefully with great boldness.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. Do you believe it is still important today for God to confirm the gospel through signs and wonders?
  2. Have you ever asked God to heal a person with whom you were sharing the gospel? If so, what happened?
  3. Do you feel competent to properly communicate the gospel?
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Chapter 43: Authority to Become a Child of God

Have you ever heard of a father giving his biological son or daughter the authority to be his child? It seems odd, but legitimate sonship has a legal basis. How this happens in the case of legal adoption is easily grasped. Legal adoption depends on a court ruling that gives the adopted child all the rights and privileges that a natural born child has. When a child is naturally born, he or she automatically becomes the legal child of both parents, if they are married. If there is no legal marriage, the child’s legal status may be in question, giving rise to the old term “bastard,” meaning born outside of wedlock. Bastard children may have no legal status as heirs of the biological father.

The Bible speaks of people who are illegitimate children of God. Perhaps ironically our status with God is revealed by the presence or absence of discipline.

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.  Hebrews 12:7–8 (NLT) —

All people are created by God and bear his image to some degree, but only those who are born again by the Spirit are true children.

but as many as did receive him to them he gave authority [Greek: exousia] to become sons of God--to those believing in his name, 13  who--not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but--of God were begotten. John 1:12-13 (YLT) 

I used Young’s Literal Translation here because it properly translates the Greek word “exousia” as “authority.” Other translations often use the word “right” instead, which connotes authority, but not in the same way.

The gospel message authorizes us to become God’s children through the new birth. By believing in Jesus, we become legal and spiritually “biological” children of God.

Sometimes a natural conception and birth are planned and desired. At other times, children may be unplanned and even unwanted. It is a terrible thing when a child is not wanted by his or her parents. Biological parents sometimes handle such unwanted children by murdering them through abortion, giving them up for adoption, or grudgingly keeping them. If they are kept, hopefully the parents will grow to love and fully accept the child; otherwise, he or she will grow up with a deep sense of rejection.

However, when it comes to legal adoption and the new birth, there is nothing ever accidental about it.

Anyone who is born into God’s family by the Spirit was loved and pre-planned from before the creation of the world and arrives with the full blessing and intention of our heavenly Father.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)

God the Father fully authorizes every spiritual rebirth, making us heirs and giving that us full legal rights and privileges in his family.

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.  Galatians 4:6–7 (NASB95) —

Even though God takes the initiative in bringing his New Covenant children into his family, we have a role to play, too.

Our responsibility in becoming a legitimate child of God is to respond to the gospel by repenting and placing our faith and allegiance in Christ.

Some pretend to be legitimate children without coming through the “gate” of repentance and faith in Christ.

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. John 10:9 (NLT)

Illegitimate “children” who are not born again populate our churches. Jesus called them “tares” or weeds. Our Lord was probably referring to darnel, a weedy rye grass that produces poisonous seeds and looks like wheat in the initial stages of growth. God lets illegitimate children grow alongside his true children. The separation will occur at the Last Judgment.

Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” Matthew 13:30 (NLT)

Only true children have the Holy Spirit and produce his fruit in their lives. Legitimate children will be known by their fruit.

A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18  A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20  Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:17-20 (NLT)

Legitimacy is supremely important in the kingdom of God. The Bible makes it clear that ultimately the choice is God’s, not ours, even though we have the responsibility to respond to the gospel and believe in Christ. As it says in our opening verse, God’s children “were born, not… of the will of man, but of God.”

God sovereignly chooses those who will be his children. The proof of this selection is when we respond to his call.

This brings us to the doctrine of election, so eloquently described by the apostle Paul.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7  nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." 8  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9  For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON." 10  And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11  for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12  it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." 13  Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." 14  What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15  For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." 18  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Romans 9:6-18 (NASB)

Jesus clearly understood that only those given to him by the Father would come to him.

But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44  For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:43-44 (NLT)

Our Lord looked for those who were being drawn by the Father. Those were the ones he discipled. When he asked his band of followers what his identity was, Peter responded.

…“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17  Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Matthew 16:16-17 (NLT)

Earlier in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus rejoiced that people can only come to him when the Father draws them.

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26  Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! 27  “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 28  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT)

After acknowledging God’s role in the process, Jesus then issued an invitation to us: “Come to me.”

God’s choice must be coupled to our response in faith for the new birth to take place.

When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day to account for our lives here on earth, being a legitimate or “authorized” child of God will make all the difference. We are the ones who have been given Christ’s righteousness and bear his likeness.

Legitimate children also carry a seal of authenticity.

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, 14  who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)

God not only legitimizes his reborn children, he also shares his authority with us. We carry this authority because we are sons and representatives of the Father. This authority is referenced in the parable of the prodigal son. When the wayward son returned, the father immediately gave him a ring, the symbol of family authority.

Children of God represent the Father and carry His authority with them.

Jesus is the ultimate legitimate Son. Christians have authority through being one with him. Indeed, Jesus’ authority is our authority. This authority privileges us to rule and reign with Him.

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NASB)

The authority we receive at the new birth also gives us access to the throne of God.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

Queen Esther did not enjoy this kind of authority and privilege. When she ventured uninvited into the king’s presence, she did so with fear and trembling, understanding that he might reject her and put her to death. We, on the other hand, can come unannounced at any time into the presence of the King of Kings without fear, knowing that we will be welcomed! What a privilege and honor! What wonderful authority has been conferred on us as children of God!

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. Isaac tried to go around God’s authority when he attempted to give Esau the blessing that God clearly revealed to Rebecca should belong to Jacob. How bad of a transgression do you think this was?
  2. Why do you think Isaac preferred Esau?
  3. God used Rebecca to thwart Isaac’s attempt to bless Esau. Do you think God blessed Rebecca for doing this?
  4. Can you think of a better way Rebecca could have handled this?
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Chapter 42: Using Christ’s Authority

All authority belongs to our Lord Jesus following his resurrection, which is an amazing and awe-inspiring truth.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Matthew 28:18 (NASB95) —

Allowing his followers to share in using that authority is a privilege and responsibility beyond compare. Consider these words of Jesus.

“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19  Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20  But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20 (NLT)

The passage above teaches us four things.

  1. Jesus defeated Satan and stripped him of all the authority he usurped from Adam. Consequently, all authority belongs to our Lord.
  2. Jesus generously shares his authority with us who are called to co-reign with him in eternity.
  3. Christ’s authority protects us from evil and equips us to drive out demons.
  4. Our joy is properly centered in the amazing privilege of being children of God, not in having authority over demons.

Although Jesus does not want us to use his authority to “lord it over” one another, as I showed in the previous chapter, we are responsible to use His authority to resist and overcome the enemy.

Failure to do so amounts to disobedience and can make us vulnerable to needless attacks and suffering.

Christ’s authority always defeats the devil’s power because Jesus already won the complete victory.

It is important that we realize that the Holy Spirit’s power and anointing resides in imperfect people.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NASB)

Though we are weak on our own, Christ’s authority residing in us will always defeat the evil power of Satan because the power of God’s Spirit backs us up.

It is never up to us to force Satan or his demons to obey. We are to speak words of authority in Christ’s name by faith, which the Holy Spirit enforces with his power.

Since Christ has already defeated Satan and his minions, we should think of ourselves as being in a “mopping up” operation, enforcing the authority of Christ’s victory wherever we may encounter resistance.

In this way, he [Jesus] disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

The next thing we need to know is where our authority in Christ has jurisdiction.

A local policeman would be out of order to try and enforce the law in another city. His jurisdiction does not extend there. I believe that our jurisdiction under Christ has limits, too. Obviously, certain things remain under God’s command only. The Bible says that the “secret things” belong to God, but that which is revealed belongs to us. (Deut. 29:29) We do well to remain within the limits of what has been clearly revealed to us in the Word of God. David said it like this:

LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me. Psalms 131:1 (NLT)

The Bible is clear regarding where we have the right to use the authority of Christ’s name.

  1. To become a child of God (John 1:12)
  2. To preach the gospel (The Great Commission)
  3. To forgive (John 20:23)
  4. To cast demons out of people (Mark 16:17)
  5. To minister healing and miracles (Luke 9:1; Acts 3:16; Mark 9:39)
  6. To administer church discipline (1 Cor. 5:4-5)
  7. To pray (Romans 15:30)

We do not have authority to lord it over others, manipulate other people (witchcraft), or tell God what to do. At his point, I will give my view regarding whether our delegated authority in Christ extends to commanding Satan and territorial principalities and powers.  

I have a friend who served as a missionary and apostle for years in Thailand, whose base of operations was in a city that held an annual sacrifice to a territorial demon, asking that spirit for protection. That would be tantamount to chickens entering into an agreement with a fox or for a shop keeper paying off the mob for protection. The devil likes to pose as our friend while he works to oppress and destroy us. The point is that the territorial spirit in that area was invited to exercise dominion by the people who worshiped it.

This is what happened when Adam chose the serpent over God. God allows this sort of thing to take place as a form of judgment against their idolatry. Hopefully eventually the people will awaken to their need for a Savior.

Paul wrote about this dynamic in his letter to the church in Rome.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  Romans 8:19–21 (NLT) —

God forbade my friend to engage such territorial spirits in a direct confrontation by rebuking or attempting to dislodge them, since they were there by invitation. Instead, his responsibility was to preach the gospel and make disciples. Once the people in an area renounce the evil spirits in which they formerly trusted, the devil’s evil spiritual authority is undermined.

If we seek to engage demonic powers or evil angels over cities or nations that perhaps have been placed there by God as a judgment against their sin or have come by invitation of an idolatrous people, we may discover that we have stepped outside our jurisdiction and opened ourselves to a direct attack. I see no clear-cut evidence that any man or woman of God ever did this in the Bible, except perhaps Elijah when he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. However, it should be noted that he was primarily confronting the prophets of Baal, not Baal himself, in a successful attempt to turn the people of Israel away from idolatry and back to the true God.

At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.”  1 Kings 18:36–39 (NASB95) —

Similarly, the prophet Daniel precipitated a heavenly conflict between God’s angels and spiritual powers of wickedness over the nations of Greece and Persia when he began to pray and fast for God to release Israel from her Babylonian captivity. He did not knowingly or deliberately do this. He merely asked God to fulfill his word to restore Israel back to the land of promise. God released His angels to do the warfare. It is altogether proper to ask God to engage such spirits, but it is not ours to do. As creatures under Christ’s authority, we must stay in our lane.

We have authority over demons that oppress individuals, but I find no evidence that our authority extends further than that.

If we seek to depose evil powers who have been invited in by sinful and misguided people, we might expose ourselves to serious spiritual backlash because we have presumed to extend ourselves beyond the measure of authority God has given to us.

But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

Some teach that the following passage authorizes spiritual warfare against principalities and powers.

For our struggle is not against 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. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:12–20 (NASB95) —

This passage shows that our warfare against such spirits is primarily defensive, as the words “resist” and “stand firm” suggest. The one offensive weapon Paul mentions is the gospel.

When Paul went to Ephesus, a center of the pagan worship of the goddess Diana, the Bible does not record the church in that city rebuking that spirit’s power during a prayer meeting. The people of that city worshiped that spirit and had erected a magnificent temple in her honor. The people invited that spirit to rule (and oppress) them through worship, sacrifice, and declared allegiance to her idols. In return, the worship of Diana afforded a lucrative income to idol makers and fame to the city. The devil often offers financial gain to those who bow down to him.

Paul engaged in spiritual warfare by preaching the gospel, which undermined that spirit’s hold on the populace by turning people away from Satan to God. The apostle described how God commissioned him to this ministry, saying…

…[I am] sending you to the Gentiles 18  to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’ Acts 26:17-18 (NLT)

The more people in an area repudiate their affiliation with Satan and any evil territorial spirits, the weaker the devil becomes.

Eventually, territorial spirits will lose control as the populace comes under the authority of Christ through believing the gospel. When enough people become children of God under Christ’s authority, the entire spiritual atmosphere will change.

The preaching of the Gospel is the most powerful spiritual weapon God gave us to defeat spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is important for us to use the correct tool to get the job done. God has given us the gospel to bring down the enemy’s rule over nations. To expect something else to work in its place is unwise. Prayer cannot replace the preaching of the gospel.

But even when we properly engage in spiritual warfare, there may be a price to pay. Even though ultimately the devil cannot harm us, we may suffer as part of the cost of fearlessly proclaiming the gospel and representing Christ in areas ruled by hostile principalities and powers. Jesus said that we overcome Satan by more than just our words.

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Revelation 12:10-11 (NLT)

When I was in Antwerp, Belgium years ago as part of a team that was praying for that city in advance of an evangelistic outreach, we became aware of that city’s devotion to evil spirits and witchcraft. A slaughter of believers took place in the city square during the Reformation. It was also known as a place where ministers of the gospel encounter serious spiritual warfare and even die. While there, I tried to make sure that I (we) did not directly engage that spirit, having read John Paul Jackson’s book, Needless Casualties of War, which cautions against getting out of our “lane” when it comes to spiritual warfare. Instead, we prayed for the success of the outreach, the receptivity of the people to the gospel, and we commanded any ruling evil spirits over that city to be bound in their ability to block the gospel from being heard, understood, and believed. Rightly or not, I believed we had the authority to do that.

When Paul was in Cyprus, he encountered a sorcerer operating under the power of an evil spirit who resisted the gospel message.

But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 9  Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10  Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11  Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12  When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:8-12 (NLT)

Later, the gospel outreach in Antwerp took place, and a small group was planted which eventually became a church. Nevertheless, some serious backlash occurred. Several members of our team ended up leaving the church within about a year. I developed cancer, and another couple who were involved in planting that church suffered serious marital problems for a season. Can we prove that all or any of that was directly related to praying and ministering in Antwerp? Correlation is not causation, but we do need to understand that spiritual warfare is serious business. Paul wrote about it in his letter to the church in Ephesus, where he experienced a high level of opposition from the devil.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT)

Paul and his associates stood firm when fierce satanic opposition came against them. His prayer was for boldness to proclaim the gospel, for in doing that we usually encounter the most resistance, and it is tempting to back down.

We are to be unafraid but wise as we exercise Christ’s authority in proclaiming the gospel and casting out evil spirits from people.

Jesus said:

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 (NLT)

Christians are supposed to take up the armor God provides to do spiritual battle. One of the main weapons we have is the authority of Christ. We must wisely and courageously use that authority by faith to advance God’s kingdom in our personal lives, our families, our church, our neighborhood, at work, in our nation, and around the world. The promise is that God will soon crush Satan under our feet, according to Romans 16:20. It is important that we do it God’s way.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. How would you rate your own approach to spiritual warfare on the following scale? Circle what may apply to you. (AWOL – defeated – passive – cautiously engaged – fully engaged – wounded in action and recovering – wounded and out of the army – victorious)
  2. Do you agree with my point that we must be careful not to engage in spiritual warfare outside our jurisdiction? Why or why not?
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Chapter 41: Understanding Authority

Recognizing and submitting to God’s authority is a key that unlocks great faith.

A wonderful example is found in Matthew’s gospel when a Roman centurion came to Jesus to ask for healing for one of his servants. When Jesus offered to accompany him to his home…

…the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9  I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! Matthew 8:8-10 (NLT)

The centurion understood that his authority to command was derived from Caesar’s authority to command him. The authority he had did not originate in him. His obedience to Caesar gave him delegated authority that was backed up by the power of Rome. The centurion also understood that this is how the kingdom of God works. He saw that Jesus was obedient to His heavenly Father, and consequently great authority flowed from heaven through him allowing him to operate in God’s power. The same will be true for us.

If we submit ourselves to Christ’s direct lordship and to his delegated authorities in our lives, God’s authority and power can more freely flow through us.

Seen in this light, authority is a good thing, despite its being abused by some.

Many people struggle with being obedient to authority. Some authority figures have been poor examples of godliness and have abused their roles. Because of our sin nature, we tend to misuse authority for selfish reasons instead of using it to serve and bless others.

If we have been mistreated by those in authority, we may fear or mistrust authority figures in general.

Some of us are simply proud and rebellious, not being willing for anyone to tell us what to do. This is another problem altogether. In the church, the remedy for the first case is for genuine Christian leaders to demonstrate the proper use of authority to defuse the fear and mistrust. The answer to the second problem is for God to deal with the rebel in us to set us free. Either way, it is extremely important for us to relate properly to authority.

The alternative is not good. If we persist in our rebellion, God says that…

A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Proverbs 17:11 (NASB)

Absalom, king David’s charismatic son, became bitter in response to how his father handled a serious family matter that involved a half-brother raping his full sister. He never got over it and eventually led thousands to their deaths in an ill-advised attempt to wrest the kingdom away from his father.

An offense can morph into bitterness, which, in turn, can become rebelliousness that can lead to death.

Therefore, it is paramount that we forgive all who have offended us in some way.

Jesus taught that those who have authority in God’s kingdom must use it to serve others.

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26  But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27  and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. Matthew 20:25-27 (NLT)

Men and women who use their authority to serve others properly model God’s authority. This is true in the family, workplace, government, and church.

Sadly, authority is very often used contrary to God’s plan. Authority has been used to subjugate, intimidate, steal, kill, and destroy. This is how Satan uses the authority he stole from Adam. All who serve Satan use authority in the same way.  

Nevertheless, all authority ultimately derives from God, even if it is misused; although it may misrepresent him.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. Romans 13:1-5 (NASB)

 We learn from this passage that authority is meant to properly represent God’s character and justice by rewarding good behavior and punishing disobedience. It is supposed to provide protection, provision, and direction to our lives.

When those in authority abandon God’s intention and begin to represent Satan’s kingdom by oppressing those they should serve and advocating evil instead of good, their authority is illegitimate in the strictest sense because it fails to properly represent the source of all authority.

Despite authority’s misuse, when possible, we obey and respect even illegitimate authority.

If those in authority command us to sin or violate our consciences, we must decline to obey, while still maintaining a proper attitude toward them.

This is not easy or simple. It is wrong to speak ill of leaders – complaining, maligning, or mocking them. God has made it clear that He hates all forms of rebellion. In the United States, speaking evil of those in authority has become an art form. We should never revile those in authority. (Jude 1:8)

Some believe that when authority becomes tyrannical, we are required to overthrow and replace it with a more godly form of government. This was the mindset of those who led the American Revolution. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a much-respected church leader in Nazi Germany, participated in a coup attempt against Hitler, which failed, landing him in prison until his execution. He believed that his obedience to God required him to act against an evil and tyrannical ruler. Others, such as the Quakers, have historically taken a position of non-violence, refusing to involve themselves in such matters. I cannot settle the age-old dispute between pacificism and patriotism, but each of us should seek the Lord and try to arrive at a proper stance on the matter, while making room in our hearts for those who come to another conclusion.

Believers are responsible first to obey God and, secondly, other forms of authority, which includes church leaders.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews 13:17 (NLT)

Even though human authority is quite imperfect, God wants us to obey, trusting him to somehow intervene to bring everything into alignment with His will.

This is also true in the home, where wives are admonished to be subject to their husbands in all things (except sin), and children are exhorted to obey their parents.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23  For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24  As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24 (NLT)

This is often a daunting command for the wife, since everyone knows that women are smarter than men and generally more capable of running things. (Smile.)

Submission to human authority requires us to believe that God is sovereign and will take care of us as we seek to obey Him in all things.

It is just this type of abandonment to God that breeds great faith. Once we surrender to God’s will, it is no big stretch to believe He will answer our prayers and keep His promises.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)

In conclusion, authority is given by God for our protection, direction, and provision.

The wise person submits him or herself to all delegated authorities related to his or her life because this is one way we demonstrate our submission to God. We trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that he rules over the ones who rule over us. When we place ourselves properly under authority, God’s authority can be released in our own lives in a greater way resulting in great faith to serve the Lord.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  1. What does it mean when it says we are to obey authorities “as unto the Lord”?
  2. Have you ever submitted to an unreasonable authority figure out of fear of the Lord? How did that turn out?
  3. Why does submission to authority prepare us to wield authority?
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