BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER TO TREAD ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY: AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU. Luke, Chapter 10, Verse 19.
Paul said he desired to know Christ and the “power of His resurrection.” (Philippians 3:10). To know, or to be intimate with Christ, is to know the power of His resurrection. We cannot truly know Him without experiencing His power in our lives. If we say we know Him, yet deny His power, we only have a form of godliness, and His power does not dwell within us.
Godliness in form or name only restricts the flow of God’s power in our lives. If we truly “know Him” there will be evidence of the power of God in our lives. The evidence of God’s power working in our lives is apparent when we are performing the “Acts of Christ.” God has given us POWER over ALL the works of the enemy.
The word “power” is derived from the Greek word which means “authority.” Christ has given us authority over ALL the power and works of the enemy. We have been given power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and all the demonic forces which come to steal, kill, and destroy. That power comes from the words which we speak in faith. All words have power in them. Some words are more powerful than others. Words are “spirit” because they originate in the “spirit of man.” The words which Jesus speaks are “Spirit and Truth.” (John 6:63). The words Satan speaks are always words which will manipulate, deceive, and destroy.
Jesus said, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME THEY SHALL CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; AND THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK; AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. Mark, Chapter 16, Verses 15-18.
Jesus tells us that signs would follow those who believe in His Name. Preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is just part of the Gospel. We must be able to back up our words in demonstration and power.
I can preach the gospel more effectively to others if I am healed, delivered, and set free from the bondage of sin. If I preach a “salvation only” message, I am not preaching the fullness of the truth. Jesus himself (the Truth) healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons. “Believing in His Name” equals power over “all the works of the enemy.”
Salvation is the most important thing to the believer. However, God desires for us to be good stewards concerning the gifts of the Spirit which He has given us access to. Eye has not seen nor ear heard the things which God has in store for those who love Him, but He has revealed these things to us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9). ALL Christians have been given certain gifts of the Spirit. Not ALL Christians believe they are capable of operating in the gifts of the Spirit.
The Blood of Jesus is directly related to His Resurrection Power. Resurrection Power is imparted to us through the Blood of Jesus. The Blood Jesus shed on the cross at Calvary cleanses us from all sin, and allows us to stand pure and holy before God. We have access to His power as a result of the Blood of Christ which He shed at Calvary. Through His Blood we have access to the heavenly gifts as we go into ALL the world to preach the gospel with signs and wonders following.
If we choose to deny the fullness of the gospel, we deny Christ the opportunity to show Himself in all His power and glory in our lives. If we neglect to preach the “whole gospel,” we will fall short of His perfect will for our lives.
Preaching the whole gospel opens the door for us to receive the “fullness of Christ. We will not receive if we do not believe. To believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is to believe on the works which was finished at the foundation of the world. Believing the entire gospel enables us to “receive the fullness of His grace and power.” If we deny anything Christ provided for us through His sacrifice on the cross, we will never become complete in Him.
Some people say they “will be made completely whole” when they get to Heaven. This is true. However, why not enjoy all the benefits God has given us while we are on our journey toward Heaven? Why not glorify God in body, soul, and spirit so God can be glorified in us now? Jesus said “if I AM lifted up I will draw all men unto me.” It is the plan and purpose of God that we “lift up” Christ here on Earth to give opportunity for ALL to hear the “good news” of the gospel. Being filled with the “fullness of Christ” enables us to share His fullness with others around us.
How can Christ be glorified in us if we are full of darkness, despair, and doubt? How can others be set free or even know that freedom from oppression is available if they do not see Christ’s wonder-working power in us? When the resurrection power of Christ is manifested in us, signs and wonders will be present. Many will be drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit when we demonstrate the “power of His resurrection” with signs and wonders following.
Lives will not be changed if hope is deferred. Without the “hope of change,” people will languish in desperation and despair. Change is available for all those who are desperate and downtrodden. Christ has set us free from the curse and the power of sin, sickness, and disease. Christ has set us free from the power of oppression and depression through faith in His finished works. All we have to do to receive is BELIEVE.
AND TO KNOW THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE—THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD. Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verse 9.
To know the love of God is to know the power of God which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. If we deny the fullness of His love, then we deny the fullness of His power toward us.
If we know and have experienced God’s love, we know we can trust in His love. If we trust in His love for us, then we will have faith to believe ALL His promises. We can believe because our faith works (is energized) by His love. We are not only recipients of His love, but vessels of His love as we trust and believe in Him.
Without the fullness of Christ, we will find ourselves lacking in the fullness of His power. However, when Christ dwells in us in all His fullness, the fullness of His power will abide within us. When we consistently abide in Christ, “resurrection power” sets us free in every area of our lives.
What hinders many Christians from receiving God’s fullness are the problems we spoke about earlier--strongholds of doubt, sin, ungodly desires, motives, and attitudes. If the fullness of Christ abides in us, those strongholds will find no place in our hearts and minds.
If we have cast down malevolent strongholds, the power of Christ will dwell within us richly, and the evil one will be unable to harm us. Our walk with the Lord will be hindered when areas of our mind are controlled by enemy strongholds. Strongholds will always prevent the love of God from doing a “perfect work” within us. We will become complete in Him, in want of nothing, when we trust in His ability to set us free in every area of our lives.
Many claim to have faith. Many think they have faith. If their faith is not working for them it is not really faith, but a “substitute for faith.” Substitute faith is faith which holds out to the end, however, nothing changes. In reality, substitute faith is hope. There is nothing wrong with hope as long as it is energized by faith. Faith changes things through prayer. Christ’s power is evident in the lives of believers when they see changes only the miraculous can perform.
God answers our prayers through supernatural intervention when we pray in faith. If we have the ability to do something ourselves, there is no need for us to “pray” to God for change. God works in the realm of the miraculous, and He expects us to do the things WE can do for ourselves and leave the rest to Him. When we display our faith in God our life becomes a reflection of His miracle working power.
HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT. BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THOSE THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME. John, Chapter 1, Verses 11-12.
John says that the “power to BECOME children of God” comes from believing and receiving. This principle is true concerning ALL the promises of God. Jesus said those who BELIEVE in His name would receive in His name.
I once new a lady who owned a hair salon. In front of her shop she had a sign which read: “If your hair is not BECOMING to you, you should BE COMING to me.” In the same way, if we are not BECOMING to God, we should BE COMING TO Him. The “power to become” whatever we need to be in Christ always comes by believing and receiving His Word.
If we choose to believe the promises of God, we can become everything we desire to become in Him. In Christ we have the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead. In Christ we have the power to lead others to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, we lack power. Without faith in the promises of God we will lack the ability to believe and receive.
When Christians choose to believe false doctrines, the truth is deferred. It is the truth which sets us free. People cannot align themselves with TRUTH when the satanic strongholds of sin, doubt, and unbelief hinders their perception of Christ. Doubt and unbelief will keep people in bondage, however, faith will set them free to BECOME the sons and daughters of God.
One night as I was preparing for bed, I heard my wife mumbling in her sleep. She had gone to bed an hour or so before me. I figured she was being hindered by an evil spirit while sleeping. I went into the bedroom to see what was going on, and immediately discerned an evil spirit in the room.
I commanded the spirit to leave in the Name of Jesus, and it left. I then woke my wife up and told her what I had seen. She told me she had been having a bad dream. She went back to sleep and had a good nights’ rest.
I asked the Lord what kind of spirit I had just witnessed, and He told me it was a “Spirit of Care.” The Lord reminded me of the scripture which said, “Be careful (anxious) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your request be made known unto God.”
The Spirit of Care is also called the Spirit of Mare (nightmare) by some. Webster defines “anxiety” as an apprehensive or painful uneasiness of mind, usually (but not always) over an impending or anticipated ill. Worry, which is a type of fear, and stress are usually brought on by the cares of life. They can steal our peace when and if we allow them to gain access to our hearts and minds. However, the peace of God which surpasses understanding will eliminate the threat worry plays in our lives. The “Prince of Peace” will always counter the “Spirit of Care” when we place our trust in Him.
If we are not continually being fervent in prayer and supplication, the CARES of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can, and will, choke the Word of God. The peace of God is one of the main targets of the “Spirit of Care.”
Our peace is hindered when the Spirit of Care gains a foothold on the battlefield of our mind. Care (anxiety) is a “stronghold” which is easily entreated--but hard to get rid of. If we are not sober and vigilant in our daily walk with Christ, “the cares of this world” will catch up with us and overpower us.
The Spirit of Care which I saw was a huge, muscular looking demon. His muscles were very big and he looked like a body builder whose upper body, arms, and head had been blown way out of proportion. His body from the waste up took up a large portion of the room as I saw him standing in front of my sleeping beauty. The strangest thing I noticed about this demon was that even though he looked huge and muscular, he was not very strong. His large muscles were “all show” and no go. He was really just a wimp. His power laid in his ability to “blow things out of proportion.”
The word “care” in the Greek is the word “mermna.” Mermna means to “confuse, draw in different directions, or to be anxious.” Although the cares of this world seem to be overwhelming at times, we must always remember that Christ has overcome the world. Our faith in Jesus enables us to “overcome all the cares in this world” which seem times at to deceive and overwhelm us. The cares of this world do not carry much weight, but they are big enough to block out and choke the Word of God if we permit them to do so.
I encountered this spirit myself as I was praying in my study after a long, hard day. Of course, just one word of rebuke can, and will immediately send the Spirit of Care on its way. The enormous looking Spirit of Care will always have to humble himself before the POWER and the BLOOD of Christ.
Jesus said: “Take no thought about what you will eat or drink, or put on to wear, for your Father knows what you have need of.” We are to seek God’s Kingdom first. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything we have need of will be provided.
Resisting the enemy is the key which unlocks the door to freedom from all the works of the enemy. Seeking first the Kingdom of God and “His righteousness” is the key which unlocks the door to His provision. When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us, but we must first resist the Devil. (James 4:7).
Many Christians know about the power of God, however, they do not understand how it works in the lives of believers. Casting a Spirit of Care out of a house is easy. However, if we fail to rearrange the furniture and put new locks on the doors, he will return with demons more powerful than himself.
Seeking God and His Kingdom first is “just the beginning” of our quest for freedom and peace. Many will seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Sadly, not many will find them. The key is to seek God and His Kingdom with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. (Jeremiah 29:13).
When people focus more on the enemy and the obstacles which he places in their path rather than the power of God, they will surely be defeated. The enemy has already been defeated through the Blood of Christ and His finished works at Calvary. However, we must always trust more in the power of God than the power of Satan. We overcome Satan by the Blood of Christ and the word of our testimony.
Many people are easily disillusioned because the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches block their perception of truth. Truth is also a Spirit. (see John 16:13). The Spirit of Truth will set people free from the lies and deception which the enemy plants within their hearts and minds. The Spirit of Care can hinder truth from being settled in our hearts if we are not continually and prayerfully seeking God.
Many people desire to know “the truth.” Sadly, they desire earthly things more than truth. Mermna (care) is like the deceitfulness of riches. It will always draw people away from the plan and purpose of God for their lives. Mermna focuses on problems rather than solutions to problems. It is the unseen (the Spirit of Care) which hinders many people’s perception of truth.
The truth is that God is always in control, and He has placed ALL the power which the enemy possesses under our feet. The problem with many people is they are not trusting Christ to set them free from the cares of this life. Rather than trusting in God, they are trusting in the deceptive doctrines and lies propagated by principalities and powers which are designed to keep people under subjection to their rule.
Those doctrines are rooted and grounded in deceptive isms, schisms, and ungodly prisms which have no foundation in reality. Their doctrines may look like truth on the surface, however they are founded upon lies and deception which Satan propagates.
When the fullness of time comes, the deceptive tactics of the enemy will prove their inability to stand up against the truth. Unfortunately, those who prefer darkness rather Light (Truth), are destined for the same pit where demons and all their deceptive illusions will perish. As Christians, we do not have to be and should not be deceived by every “slight of hand” of the enemy, or blown about by “every wind of doctrine” which comes down the pike.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law of Sin and Death. He delivers us from the deceptive tactics of the enemy when we exercise our faith and trust in Him. We must, however, be able to recognize the difference between the truth and the lies of the enemy. We must recognize that even the good found on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is just as deceptive as the evil. Knowing the difference between “good and evil” will only help us when we are able to recognize the goodness and wisdom of God. We must be able to see how the fruit of righteousness differs from the fruit of unrighteousness which is found on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Serpent always uses the “lure” of the forbidden fruit which “looks good” to deceive and manipulate the masses.
When we desire to please God rather than man, we will find the truth, and truth will set us free. When our desire to serve God is greater than our desire to serve man, mammon, and materialism, we will find ourselves in unity with Him.
We will become what God desires us to be IF we seek Him with all our heart. If we seek to please man, worldly appetites and desires will choke the Word. If we choose darkness over Light, we will find ourselves slaves of sin. There is pleasure in sin, but the pleasure only lasts a short season. If we listen to the voice of deception, like Eve we will pay the price for neglecting the Light and aligning ourselves with darkness.
Many Christians become frustrated because they want to believe in the promises of God, but do not have the ability to believe for them. We all have choices to make. We choose to either believe in what God says or what the Serpent tells us. God says He has given us power to overcome the world. The Devil tells man he has the authority to control his own life, and whatever he chooses to do or not do is his own business.
God says He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. The enemy says God is wrong and sin does not even exist. Jesus said: “All power is given unto me in Heaven and on Earth, go ye therefore.” The devil asks “why should you go?” Are we going to obey and trust in the Word of God or in the word of the Serpent? Will we believe and obey God or our adversary who tempts us to eat the “forbidden fruit?” IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL SEEK MY FACE AND HUMBLE THEMSELVES IN PRAYER I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, FORGIVE THEM OF THEIR SINS, AND HEAL THEIR LAND. 2 Chronicles, Chapter 7, Verse 14.
It should never be hard for Christians to believe the truth. However, sometimes they fail to believe the promises of God because the enemy builds “strongholds of doubt” in their minds. The deceptive strongholds which the enemy establishes in the mind can only be countered and “cast down” by truth and faith in the Name and Blood of Jesus.
Paul prayed that we might know: “THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER TO USWARD WHO BELIEVE, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER, WHICH HE WROUGHT IN CHRIST, WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, AND SET HIM AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES. FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION, AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD, BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME: AND HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, AND GAVE HIM TO BE THE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH. AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS.” Ephesians, Chapter 1, Verses 19-22, and Chapter 2, Verse 6.
Scripture cannot make things any clearer. The resurrection power of Christ abides within each and every believer. The power to cast out demons, raise the dead, heal the sick, and perform miracles in the Name of Jesus are imparted to every Christian who dares to believe what God has said.
The greatness of the power which God has revealed in the Church far outweighs and surpasses any power the Devil may try to invoke upon us. God-breathed power awaits anyone who will trust in “the finished works of Christ” which was completed at the foundation of the Earth. Everything we need in order to defeat our enemy was placed at our disposal when God said “Let there be Light.” Our weapons of Light (understanding) are more than a match against the “hordes of Hell” which shoot their fiery darts of deception and destruction at us from the realm of Darkness.
God has given us “overcoming power” through the Blood of Christ and faith in the Name of Jesus. We can handle any demon spirit, doctrine of devils, or stronghold which the enemy may use to try to deceive us. If we neglect such great power or deny the truth, God cannot help us. If we deny God’s ability to work on our behalf, the enemy will occupy the battlefield of our minds. However, when we use our spiritual weapons to clear the battlefield of our minds of ALL enemy strongholds, we will find freedom and the peace which surpasses all understanding.
PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, AND THEN ALWAYS WATCHING THEREUNTO WITH ALL PERSEVERENCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR THE SAINTS. Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verse 18.
There are many different types and facets of prayer. Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons we have in our spiritual arsenal. Yet, many Christians neglect their prayer life. They do not take the time to utilize one of the most important and powerful weapons in existence. When Christians neglect to use the weapon of prayer, they will remain defeated and leave themselves open for beguilement.
We can say many things about prayer and the importance of prayer in the life of the believer. Praying is one of the most important things we can do in life, yet many Christians avoid prayer like a plague until they are plagued with many problems in their lives.
Prayer is like doing preventive maintenance on your car. If you do not keep your car tuned up and do periodic oil changes, somewhere down the line your car will fail to operate effectively and properly. You will experience mechanical problems which you would have never had to face if you had been diligent in keeping your engine safe from mechanical failure.
It is true that prayer changes (fixes) things, however, many problems could be avoided if people were more diligent in their prayer life. Neglecting our prayer life can and will lead to many unforeseen problems. Many problems could be avoided if people would pray and daily seek God for wisdom and understanding.
THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH. 1 John, Chapter 5, Verse 4. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Fellowship and communion with the Father in prayer will always result in a glorious walk of faith. When we are waking daily with the Lord, we will be able to recognize and confront the enemy when he comes to steal, kill, or destroy. Our prayer time should also include a time of sincere worship and adoration for our Lord. Our faith is increased daily as we pray, praise, and worship the Father. If we do not pray and fellowship frequently with the Father, we will lack the power and anointing to defeat the enemy on the battlefield of our mind. With faith, we become more than conquerors through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many claim to have faith however, their faith is not a working faith, but is merely a substitute for faith. Substitute faith is “hope” which people sometimes have when adverse circumstances hinder their lives. Substitute faith is merely “hope in disguise.” They hope that their circumstances will change and will “hold on to hope” to the very end. When things do not change for the “better,” they often become “bitter.” I have seen Christians hold onto “hope” which they thought was faith, and were sorely disappointed when the thing they had “hoped for” did not happen. They blamed God for not honoring what they “thought” was faith, but was hope.
There is nothing wrong with hope as long as it is energized by faith, which is rooted and grounded in the promises of God. Prayer “fixes things” when our faith is based on His promises, not on our own wishes and desires. Resurrection Power becomes apparent in the life of the believer when he sees changes in his life which only the miraculous can perform.
When we pray in faith, God will bring the changes we need through unnatural ways and means. If we had the ability to change adverse circumstances ourselves, we would not need God to intervene for us. God works in the realm of the miraculous, however He expects us to do the things we can do for ourselves, and leave the rest to Him.
When God is doing a good work within us, it will be evident to all that it is His power working in and through us, not ourselves. When others see God working the “miraculous” in our lives, it can bring hope and faith into their hearts as well. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. (Hebrews 11:1). Hope is the precursor of faith. Without hope, faith would not exist. Without faith, we cannot please God. Unless we have an effective and powerful prayer life, we cannot and will not please God or defeat our enemies.