Topic: Brad Mullins

Topic: Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

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When the believer prays, he needs to pray from a position of victory because he is seated with Christ in heavenly places, looking down on a defeated foe.

We are in the army of the Lord but we are an occupying force not a conquering force. 

Luke 19:13 KJV (13)  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The word “occupy” in the KJV translation means: “to occupy and carry on business”

An occupying army is there to enforce the victory that has already been one by our commander in chief.

That is why we should not magnify the battle; we should magnify the triumph!

Praying for those in Authority

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  (2)  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  (4)  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As we pray for the leaders of nations, we can thwart and render inoperative the devil’s strategies on the earth and cause God’s purposes to prevail.

But praying for those in authority does not mean we are to pray that the politicians in our favorite party will be voted into office. We can’t judge by political party alone which candidate is best to fulfill the leadership position in our nation.

In other words, we don’t need to get involved with personalities in praying for our government; we just need to pray that the right candidate be elected into office.

God wants us to pray for those in authority in our nation so that there will be peace in our nation. Then we can preach the gospel undisturbed.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 AMPC  FURTHERMORE, BRETHREN, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as [it has done] with you,  (2)  And that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith and is held by it.

As we direct our prayers to the Lord of the Harvest, we take our position on the earth as the triumphant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Satan’s dominion over the lives of the lost begins to be weakened. That’s how we deliver people out of the bondage of the enemy. When we pray for those in authority in the cities and nations of the world, we weaken the effectiveness of Satan’s Kingdom in those cities and nations. When we pray, God can have His way in those countries instead of Satan.

As Christians, we have authority in Jesus’ Name to bind the power of the devil over the political scene of a nation. We have the right to demand that Satan take his hands off the government and the economic and social scene of a nation. We can bind every foul spirit that is affecting those areas and command them to stop in their maneuvers and cease and desist in their actions against us.

Satan’s strategies against on the earth can be stopped in every encounter, and God’s purposes can be fulfilled, as Christians stand in their place of authority in Christ on behalf of the nations of the world by praying for those in authority.

Matthew 18:18 CEV (18)  I promise you that God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth, but he will not allow anything you don’t allow.

Matthew 18:18 AMPC  Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.

The Devil Thinks He Can Delay the End

2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV  whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

He is going to throw up every roadblock to try and thwart the preaching of the Gospel and delay the end. That is why he stirs up wars. It is more difficult to preach the gospel during a war.

When we pray, we give God permission to move and rule in the situation instead of Satan. When Christians stand in their place of delegated authority in prayer in Jesus’ Name, God will bring many into His Kingdom.

Before You Think Your Prayers Don’t Matter…

Genesis 18:22-25 NLT (22)  The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. (23)  Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? (24)  Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? (25)  Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah and God spared the righteous because of his intercession. (Genesis 18:16-33). ONE MAN prayed, interceded, and God moved.

Daniel 10:1-3 NKJV (1)  In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. (2)  In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. (3)  I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel prayed and God heard his prayers and moved on behalf of God’s people. (Daniel 10:2,3,5,6,12-14). Ezekiel and Jeremiah had prophesied that God would deliver Israel out of Babylon. Daniel read those prophecies and began seeking God about what He had promised. 

Daniel prayed and Heaven moved because of his prayers.

Daniel 10:12 NKJV (12)  Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

This shows us about the power of our words and prayer have in affecting the spiritual realm as God moves to answer our prayer in the natural realm.

It was not words that were spoken in Heaven that sent the angel to Daniel or put the angel of God to work. It was words spoken on earth praying in line with God’s Word that put the angel to work against the powers of darkness.

Psalms 103:20 NKJV (20)  Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Psalms 103:20 NLT (20)  Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

We can’t dispel the devil and his demons from the earth or cast them into the abyss before the time of the final judgment (Rev. 20:3). But through scriptural prayer, we can keep the forces of darkness at bay so that the gospel can have free course and people’s hearts will be receptive to the Word of God.

How Are We to Pray for Revival?

It is the Word of God that grows and prevails in people’s lives enabling them to overcome in any circumstance, or over any force of the devil in one’s life or even nation if it is planted in the ground and watered by the Word and the Holy Spirit in prayer.

A harvest doesn’t just happen for no reason and it doesn’t happen overnight.

The same principles for sowing and reaping a crop apply in both the natural and the spiritual realms.

The farmer prepares the ground and then plants the seed in the ground, and rain causes the seed to grow. Finally, the crops are ready to harvest.

The Bible calls people who are ready to receive the gospel a spiritual harvest.

Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  (37)  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  (38)  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

The Bible gives us instructions on how to pull people out of the kingdom of darkness and get a harvest of souls for the Kingdom of Light.

In the natural realm, a harvest is produced from seed. 

But before the seed can be planted, the ground has to be prepared. Then in order to produce a harvest, after the seed is planted, it also has to be watered. The same is true in the spiritual realm.

A person can pray for a crop all year long, but if he doesn’t get out and plant some seed in the ground, he will come up empty handed at harvest time.

There are four parts to this:

1. 1. Ground preparation
   2. Sowing Seed
   3. Watering the seed (Word and the Holy Spirit)
   4. Harvest the crop

James 5:7 NKJV  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

The early rain is what softened the soil so that seed could be sown and then the latter rain helped the plant to grow and produce a harvest.

Zechariah 10:1 NKJV  Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

Scripturally, we prepare the ground of people’s hearts through scriptural prayer and sowing the incorruptible seed of God’s Word.

1 Peter 1:23 NKJV  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

The Word has to be sown in people’s hearts through the preaching of the Word because it is the Word that brings light and illuminations to men’s hearts to set them from from the dominion of the devil.

The task of sowing the incorruptible Word of God and telling people about Jesus’ victory over the devil is the responsibility of every believer; not just preachers.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  (19)  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  (20)  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus did not say, “Go therefore and pray to pull down demonic strongholds in all nations…”

You are not going to be able to deal with the devil in nations any other way than by praying according to God’s Word and sowing the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people.

When we do these things, then God brings forth the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT  I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

Preparing the Ground Through Prayer

The great revivalist Charles Finney gives us a great insight into these very principles.

Everywhere Finney went, there were great revivals in those cities. Sometimes, almost the entire city would get saved when he came and preached. It is a historical fact that 80% of Finney’s converts remained faithful to God in their Christian walk. The average among other revivals of the time was around 50%. Why the tremendous success? PRAYER.

Finney would plead his case before the Lord and refuse to not have revival in that city.

Father Nash, a man of great prayer, would go before Finney into a city and pray in the Spirit in intercession for the city. There is no record of him pulling down strongholds or fighting demons over those cities. He prayed in the authority of Jesus’ Name and claimed revival and souls.

Prayer that is in line with the Word of God prepares the ground of people’s hearts so that the Word can be planted and bear eternal fruit.

Note: Do not pray based on what the devil is or is not doing. Base your prayer on the Word of God.

The way we possess our cities and nation is through intercessory prayer and travail for the people of the city or nation.

The Holy Spirit will help us pray as we pray.

1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (27)  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Winning a city does not mean that every person in the city will be saved because people still have free will. But prayers and intercession make it easier for people to yield to God and to desire to be saved.

God can only move in the earth as His people ask Him to move. God is longing for someone who will stand in the gap before Him and intercede for souls in every nation.

Ezekiel 22:30 NLT  “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.

God did not say we had to go out and fight Satan, a defeated foe. The verse says that if God’s covenant children would ask Him to move on the earth, He would hear and answer their prayers.

Once we pray like that, then it is our responsibility to preach the Word of God so people can be saved and hear the Word on how they are delivered and free from Satan’s dominion and authority over them in Christ.

Mightily Grew the Word and Prevailed

Acts 19:1-2 NKJV  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples  (2)  he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:5-7 NKJV  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (6)  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.  (7)  Now the men were about twelve in all.

Acts 19:10-12 NKJV  And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  (11)  Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,  (12)  so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:20 NKJV  So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Acts 19:20 NIV  In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Acts 19:20 NLT  So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

If you want to see miracles happen, including people being set free from demonic influence and oppression, PREACH THE WORD!

Extra Scriptures:

Mark 4:22 NKJV (22)  For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

Ephesians 5:11-13 NKJV (11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (12)  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. (13)  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 

Luke 12:1-3 NKJV (1)  In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (2)  For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. (3)  Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 

Job 5:12-13 NKJV (12)  He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. (13)  He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

Topic: Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
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Romans 5:17 AMPC (17)  For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 5:17 TPT (17)  Death once held us in its grip, and by the blunder of one man, death reigned as king over humanity. But now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!

We are reigning in life through Jesus Christ now!

God wants us to know that we have victory over Satan in every contest and circumstance, even as Jesus had victory over Satan when He was on the earth.

We don’t have to struggle to be victorious; we just need to stand our ground with the Word of God against a defeated foe according to what we already possess in Christ.

You and I have authority over yourself and your house! Now, when we are babies in Christ, we can get someone to help us spiritually and pray with us, but there will come a time when WE have to stand in our authority and stop the devil from having the advantage over us.

Why does it seem that we cannot seem to end his domination over us? Ignorance and unbelief.

Hosea 4:6a NKJV (6)  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

Matthew 17:20-21 NKJV (20)  So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (21)  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

It is one thing for Satan to dominate unsaved people who are in the kingdom of darkness; they’re under his authority. But he should not be able to dominate us because we are not in his kingdom and under his authority.

Colossians 1:12-14 AMPC (12)  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. (13)  [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14)  In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

When the believer prays, he needs to pray from a position of victory because he is seated with Christ in heavenly places, looking down on a defeated foe.

We are in the army of the Lord but we are an occupying force not a conquering force.

Luke 19:13 KJV (13)  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The word “occupy” in the KJV translation means: “to occupy and carry on business”

An occupying army is there to enforce the victory that has already been one by our commander in chief.

That is why we should not magnify the battle; we should magnify the triumph!

How Are We to Use Our Authority in Prayer?

It is the Word of God that grows and prevails in people’s lives enabling them to overcome in any circumstance, or over any force of the devil in one’s life or even nation if it is planted in the ground and watered by the Word and the Holy Spirit in prayer.

A harvest doesn’t just happen for no reason and it doesn’t happen overnight.

The same principles for sowing and reaping a crop apply in both the natural and the spiritual realms.

The farmer prepares the ground and then plants the seed in the ground, and rain causes the seed to grow. Finally, the crops are ready to harvest.

The Bible calls people who are ready to receive the gospel a spiritual harvest.

Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  (37)  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  (38)  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

The Bible gives us instructions on how to pull people out of the kingdom of darkness and get a harvest of souls for the Kingdom of Light.

In the natural, a harvest is produced from seed. But before the seed can be planted, the ground has to be prepared. Then in order to produce a harvest, after the seed is planted, it also has to be watered. The same is true in the spiritual realm.

Scripturally, we prepare the ground of people’s harts through scriptural prayer and sowing the incorruptible seed of God’s Word.

1 Peter 1:23 NKJV  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

The Word has to be sown in people’s hearts through the preaching of the Word because it is the Word that brings light and illuminations to men’s hearts to set them from from the dominion of the devil.

The task of sowing the incorruptible Word of God and telling people about Jesus’ victory over the devil is the responsibility of every believer; not just preachers.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  (19)  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  (20)  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus did not say, “Go therefore and pray to pull down demonic strongholds in all nations…”

A person can pray for a crop all year long, but if he doesn’t get out and plant some seed in the ground, he will come up empty handed at harvest time.

There are four parts to this:

1. Ground preparation
2. Sowing Seed
3. Watering the seed (Word and the Holy Spirit)
4. Harvest the crop

James 5:7 NKJV  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

The early rain is what softened the soil so that seed could be sown and then the latter rain helped the plant to grow and produce a harvest.

Zechariah 10:1 NKJV  Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

You are not going to be able to deal with the devil in nations any other way than by praying according to God’s Word and sowing the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people.

When we do these things, then God brings forth the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT  I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

Preparing the Ground Through Prayer

The great revivalist Charles Finney gives us a great insight into these very principles.

Everywhere Finney went, there were great revivals in those cities. Sometimes, almost the entire city would get saved when he came and preached. It is a historical fact that 80% of Finney’s converts remained faithful to God in their Christian walk. The average among other revivals of the time was around 50%. Why the tremendous success? PRAYER.

Finney would plead his case before the Lord and refuse to not have revival in that city.

Father Nash, a man of great prayer, would go before Finney into a city and pray in the Spirit in intercession for the city. There is no record of him pulling down strongholds or fighting demons over those cities. He prayed in the authority of Jesus’ Name and claimed revival and souls.

Prayer that is in line with the Word of God prepares the ground of people’s hearts so that the Word can be planted and bear eternal fruit.

Note: Do not pray based on what the devil is or is not doing. Base your prayer on the Word of God.

The way we possess our cities and nation is through intercessory prayer and travail for the people of the city or nation.

The Holy Spirit will help is pray as we pray.

1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (27)  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Winning a city does not mean that every person in the city will be saved because people still have free will. But prayers and intercession make it easier for people to yield to God and to desire to be saved.

God can only move in the earth as His people ask Him to move. God is longing for someone who will stand in the gap before Him and intercede for souls in every nation.

Ezekiel 22:30 NLT  “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.

God did not say we had to go out and fight Satan, a defeated foe. The verse says that if God’s covenant children would ask Him to move on the earth, He would hear and answer their prayers.

Once we pray like that, then it is our responsibility to preach the Word of God so people can be saved and hear the Word on how they are delivered and free from Satan’s dominion and authority over them in Christ.

Mightily Grew the Word and Prevailed

Acts 19:1-2 NKJV  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples  (2)  he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:5-7 NKJV  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (6)  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.  (7)  Now the men were about twelve in all.

Acts 19:10-12 NKJV  And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  (11)  Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,  (12)  so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:20 NKJV  So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Acts 19:20 NIV  In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Acts 19:20 NLT  So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

If you want to see miracles happen, including people being set free from demonic influence and oppression, PREACH THE WORD!

Praying for those in Authority

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  (2)  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  (4)  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As we pray for the leaders of nations, we can thwart and render inoperative the devil’s strategies on the earth and cause God’s purposes to prevail.

But praying for those in authority does not mean we are to pray that the politicians in our favorite party will be voted into office. We can’t judge by political party alone which candidate is best to fulfill the leadership position in our nation.

In other words, we don’t need to get involved with personalities in praying for our government; we just need to pray that the right candidate be elected into office.

God wants us to pray for those in authority in our nation so that there will be peace in our nation. Then we can preach the gospel undisturbed.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 AMPC  FURTHERMORE, BRETHREN, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as [it has done] with you,  (2)  And that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith and is held by it.

The Devil Thinks He Can Delay the End

2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV  whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

He is going to throw up every roadblock to try and thwart the preaching of the Gospel and delay the end. That is why he stirs up wars. It is more difficult to preach the gospel during a war.

When we pray, we give God permission to move and rule in the situation instead of Satan. When Christians stand in their place of delegated authority in prayer in Jesus’ Name, God will bring many into His Kingdom.

As we direct our prayers to the Lord of the Harvest, we take our position on the earth as the triumphant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Satan’s dominion over the lives of the lost begins to be weakened. That’s how we deliver people out of the bondage of the enemy. When we pray for those in authority in the cities and nations of the world, we weaken the effectiveness of Satan’s Kingdom in those cities and nations. When we pray, God can have His way in those countries instead of Satan.

As Christians, we have authority in Jesus’ Name to bind the power of the devil over the political scene of a nation. We have the right to demand that Satan take his hands off the government and the economic and social scene of a nation. We can bind every foul spirit that is affecting those areas and command them to stop in their maneuvers and cease and desist in their actions against us.

Matthew 18:18 AMPC  Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.

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Romans 5:17 AMPC (17)  For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 5:17 TPT (17)  Death once held us in its grip, and by the blunder of one man, death reigned as king over humanity. But now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!

We are reigning in life through Jesus Christ now!

God wants us to know that we have victory over Satan in every contest and circumstance, even as Jesus had victory over Satan when He was on the earth.

We don’t have to struggle to be victorious; we just need to stand our ground with the Word of God against a defeated foe according to what we already possess in Christ.

It does not take all day to stand against evil spirits if you know your authority in Christ. Just speak the Word to them in the Name of Jesus and they have to go.

You and I have authority over yourself and your house! Now, when we are babies in Christ, we can get someone to help us spiritually and pray with us, but there will come a time when WE have to stand in our authority and stop the devil from having the advantage over us.

Why does it seem that we cannot seem to end his domination over us? Ignorance and unbelief.

Hosea 4:6a NKJV (6)  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

Matthew 17:14-21 NKJV (14)  And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, (15)  “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. (16)  So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” (17)  Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” (18)  And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. (19)  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” (20)  So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (21)  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

It is one thing for Satan to dominate unsaved people who are in the kingdom of darkness; they’re under his authority. But he should not be able to dominate us because we are not in his kingdom and under his authority.

Colossians 1:12-14 AMPC (12)  Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. (13)  [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14)  In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

When the believer prays, he needs to pray from a position of victory because he is seated with Christ in heavenly places, looking down on a defeated foe.

We are in the army of the Lord but we are an occupying force not a conquering force. 

Luke 19:13 KJV (13)  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The word “occupy” in the KJV translation means: “to occupy and carry on business”

An occupying army is there to enforce the victory that has already been one by our commander in chief.

That is why we should not magnify the battle; we should magnify the triumph!

What About War and Warfare in the Epistles

The words “war” or “warfare” appear in the New Testament far less than most people think.

1 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV (7)  Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

James 4:1-2 NKJV (1)  Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (2)  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV (4)  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 KJV (18)  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; (19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV (3)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4)  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5)  casting down arguments (KJV – imaginations) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

There are references in Revelation that mention war but that is the final defeat of the dragon and Satan himself.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is not speaking about battling demonic forces over geographical areas. He is admonishing believers to take control of their own thoughts and imaginations so they can prevent the devil’s lies from getting a stronghold in their minds.

An uncontrolled mind and wrong thinking have as much to with opening the door to the devil as wrong believing and wrong talking do. These are the major “battlefields” in life.

The fact of the matter is that the New Testament teaches us that genuine spiritual warfare has to do mostly with the mind and the flesh and fighting the good fight of faith. Those who wage a good warfare keep their mind renewed and their flesh in check and know how to stand in faith on the promises of God’s Word.

(Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Brief History of the church at Ephesus:

• Founded by Paul where he stayed for three years raising up elders to lead the church.
• After Paul’s departure, Timothy was sent to pastor the church. 
• The Apostle John was a member there and because of his assignment, brought Mary, the mother of Jesus there. 
• It was the largest church in existence at the time
• Great men and women such as Peter, Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla came and ministered there.

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

The word “finally” in the Greek language lets us know there might have been a problem in this early church. The word “finally” in the Greek language means the familiar saying, “If you don’t get anything else out of what I am saying to you, get this…”

Why would he have said this? 

The believers in this church were not unlike a lot of believers today. They had gathered a vast amount of doctrinal knowledge, information and facts, yet they were still defeated in their lives. 

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

“Brethren” – Greek: adelphos  Means: “You and I are brothers! We came out of the same womb of humanity. We have the same feelings; we have similar emotions; and we deal with the same problems of life…” 

Paul was identifying with these believers and their personal struggles and their victories. In Greek culture, to call someone “brother” like this was a high honor. It was saying, “Like me, you are still in the fight and are giving it your best shot. Therefore, I am personally proud to be affiliated with people like you.” 

• It isn’t how well we fight that really counts in life. What really counts is that we keep on fighting. 

This “never give up” kind of attitude will eventually produce victory for us every time. 

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

“Strong” – Greek: en-dunamis  – Means: being infused with excessive doses of dynamic inner strength and ability 

• We are specifically designed by God to be receptacles of His divine power. 

Why was he so emphatic about this? Because he knew that we need to receive this power before our fight commences. 

• Without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit operating in us, none of us can ever be a match against Satan’s schemes and devices. 

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We are continuing our study of The Authority of the Believer.

We must understand how limited the ability of the devil is to touch the lives of believers and how important deception is in his arsenal. To grasp this we must look at what Jesus accomplished in His death, burial and resurrection. 

The death and resurrection of Jesus represents the most decisive point in history. 

When Jesus conquered death and walked out of the tomb, something fundamental changed about Satan’s authority in the earth. Although he was not yet completely bound, he has been stripped of all legitimate authority and power. 

Colossians 2:9-15 NKJV  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;  (10)  and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.  (11)  In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,  (12)  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  (13)  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,  (14)  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  (15)  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

In Paul’s time, when a victorious Roman General returned from battle, he reentered Rome with a parade. He and all his troops marched through the streets of the city leading their prisoners – the conquered soldiers of the enemy army – in chains.  At the center of the processional walked the king of the defeated country – shackled, beaten, his head shaven, utterly humiliated and completely stripped of power. 

Colossians 2:15 NASB  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.  

For at least 5000 years Satan had enjoyed a legal right to exercise dominion in the earth – because Adam had turned it over to him in the Fall. 

1 Corinthians 15:45 NKJV  And so it is written, “THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Now, the “last Adam” – God in the flesh, Jesus Christ has legally stripped Satan of that authority and restored it to mankind, reducing Satan to the status of an outlaw in the process. 

Since Jesus stripped him of all his legal authority, the only weapon Satan has left to use against the child of God is the only one he had to begin with back in the Garden of Eden – deception. 

In other words, because Jesus restored dominion to redeemed man, Satan can’t make you sick, rob your finances, destroy your marriage, steal your kids or ruin your life – at least not without first deceiving you in some way. 

Deception is not just one of the ways that the enemy can bring the effects of the curse into your life it is the only way.

If Satan cannot deceive you, he cannot defeat you. 

The simple truth is, if you are not getting victory over the curse in some area of your life, the root of the problem probably is deception in that area.

We all harbor hidden assumptions and beliefs that don’t line up with the truth of God’s Word. And that is precisely what deception is – believing something contrary to God’s revealed truth. 

By its very nature deception is something we are unaware of in our lives. Think about it. Once you discover you have been deceived about something, you are not deceived anymore! 

Because we live in a sin-cursed world, we will experience contrary circumstances, symptoms of lack or sickness or negativity from time to time. But if we are not experiencing increasing freedom from the curse, then there must be an area of deception somewhere in your life. 

John 8:31-32 NKJV  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  (32)  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 

We know that the choices between life and death and blessing and cursing belong to us. God does not make those choices for us. 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NKJV  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;  (20)  that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

God will not impose his good will on you even if it would be in your best interest nor will he allow Satan to impose his will on you for evil. 

Satan cannot afflict you long-term with the destructive effects of the curse unless you allow it by choosing, with your own free will, something that opens you to those efforts. 

Think about it for a moment. Satan is not called the father of destruction; he’s called the father of lies. 

John 8:44 NKJV  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

If Satan had the power to destroy you, he would have already done it. 

Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV  Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,  (15)  and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Notice this verse did not say that you are standing against sickness, or poverty or some other crisis. No you are standing against the wiles of the devil. Wiles in the concordance means “trickery”.

Ephesians 6:11 AMPC  Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 

The Armor is not necessarily given to us to protect us from negative circumstances; it’s designed to enable you to stand against the root cause of all of Satan’s attacks, which is deception. 

Revelation 20:1-3 NKJV  Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  (2)  He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;  (3)  and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. 

The Word does not say that he will no longer cause famines and sickness, anger, hatred or wars and killings. Rather, the root cause of all those things will cease. He will deceive no more. 

To deceive someone is to convince him that something is true and valid when it is actually untrue and invalid. 

No one intentionally chooses destruction or the curse. The only way that the devil can defeat someone is by getting him or her to believe something that is untrue and invalid. 

In other words, Satan can’t bring evil into your life unless you, in effect, choose it. And you won’t choose it unless he can deceive you into believing a lie. 

The basis of his deception initially is to convince you the Bible is not true. The only strategy that he has is to get you to believe the Word is not true. 

If he can get you to back down from the Word of God because you have gotten weary of the deception and eventually quit, he has won the battle. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The good news is that he has no new tricks up his sleeves, therefore everything we need to know about how to stand against his schemes is already written in God’s Word.

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The Power of the Second Word

Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV (19)  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 

The overall quality of our lives is based solely on the decisions that we make in the course of our lives. 

The truth is that whatever the quality of our lives is at this current moment is a result of the decisions that we made yesterday. 

God is always endeavoring to move in our lives to help us to make the right decisions that will allow His blessing and His life to be our life experience. 

Contrary to that, the enemy of our souls is also trying to move in our lives to shape our decision making process in order to thwart the plan of God from coming to pass in our lives. 

No one in their right mind is going to make a conscious decision for death in any of its forms and desire to experience that in their lives. 

The only strategy that he has to do this in our lives is to deceive us in some way to believe something other than the truth of God’s Word and make choices for death based on this wrong belief. 

The challenge for us as believers is to make sure that we are consciously aware of Satan’s desires and protect ourselves from deception so that it does not affect our decisions and we are able to enjoy the quality of life Jesus came to bring us. 

If he can keep you in that deception then he can keep you in whatever bondage you may be in. 

Hosea 4:6 NKJV (6)  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… 

John 8:32 NKJV (32)  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 

If the enemy wants to shape the decisions that someone makes that is not a believer, then all he has to do is keep them away from the truth either from a Christian or in Church. 

But how does he work in the life of a believer that is hearing the Word of God? How does he endeavor to affect the decisions that a believer is making who is consistently exposed to the truth of the Word of God? 

The only way that he can have any influence through deception on the decisions of someone who is hearing the Word of God is to bring you a second word in a way that is deceptive or subtle enough to get you to believe the second word over the first Word from God. 

Once a person has heard the Word, the only thing he can do is bring an alternative word that he convinces you to buy in to. 

Genesis 3:1-6 NKJV (1)  Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (2)  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3)  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” (4)  Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. (5)  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6)  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 

God had already brought the first Word to Adam and Eve: 

Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV (16)  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17)  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  

Satan manages to bring a second word that is subtle and cunning to produce the deception to Adam and Eve. 

There are some earmarks that will be consistent with the second word when the enemy brings it to you:  

1. It always begins with a question.

Genesis 3:1 NKJV “…Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 

To the extent that you truly know what God has said, you are vulnerable to the question marks that the second word will bring to you. 

Eve misquoted what God said because it was a little fuzzy in Eve’s mind as she really was not sure what God had said (reflection on Adam). 

2. There will always be a direct contradiction in the second word.

Genesis 3:4 NKJV (4)  Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 

Along with the contradiction often times will be accompanied by a direct shot at the character of God. 

Genesis 3:5 NKJV (5)  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

3. Always appeals to the flesh.

Genesis 3:6 NKJV (6)  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 

The second word will often take the responsibility off of you for your actions and this appeals to the flesh (God could have allowed that situation to teach you something…). 

1 Kings 13:1-24 NKJV 

The second word will always cost you in life. 

The enemy is referred to as being like the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 

When the young prophet gave heed to the second word, it opened the door to the devouring ability of the lion on the road. 

The Word of God was questioned by the King and then by the Old Prophet. The Word of God was then contradicted by the Old Prophet when he said that the angel had appeared unto him to tell him the young man should some to his house and eat, but he was lying. 

He was tired and hungry and thirsty and therefore the invitation appealed to his flesh. 

Most likely Satan is not going to come to you through a serpent. You are probably too smart for that and would not give in to that. 

But we do see something different here in that the enemy may use someone that you allow to speak into your life to bring you the second word. 

What is the defense against the second word? 

• Know beyond any shadow of doubt what the written Word of God has said for yourself. You must be grounded in the Word of God.

• Where the will of God is concerned that is not directly addressed by the written Word of God, you are to follow after the inward witness of God’s spirit in your heart.

Colossians 3:15 AMP (15)  And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. 

• God never deals in second words. He always has the best idea the first time. You will know the voice of your Shepherd. (John 10)

• God always comes to you with a conviction and a knowing in your heart.

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We are continuing our study of The Authority of the Believer.

Adam’s Treason and Surrender

Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  (27)  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  (28)  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Adam was created to have dominion over the earth. But when he sinned, he turned that dominion and authority over to the devil.

Luke 4:5-8 NKJV  Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  (6)  And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.  (7)  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”  (8)  And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.’ “

2 Corinthians 4:4 AMPC  For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

NKJV – “The god of this age…” I like that term “age” because it denotes a limited amount of time. All “ages” come to an end.

How did the devil become the god of this world? Adam gave it to him when he sinned.

(Romans 5:12 NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 

There are three deaths that are taught in the Scripture: 

1. Physical death – separation of man’s spirit and soul from his body.
2. Spiritual death – separation of man’s spirit from God
3. Second Death – eternal separation of man and God

(Ephesians 2:1-5 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 

Adam dies spiritually instantaneously, but it took 930 years for his body to die.

But Jesus defeated the devil in His resurrection and took back that authority and then gave it to the Church.

We need to understand fully what Jesus accomplished for us in His work of redemption. 

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

Matthew 28:18 AMPC  (18) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Colossians 2:13-15 NKJV  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,  (14)  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  (15)  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 

Now understand this, Adam’s lease is still in effect and will be until the end of the tribulation and the devil is bound up for a thousand years.

We Are Seated With Christ!

Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV  Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,  (16)  do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:  (17)  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,  (18)  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power  (20)  which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  (21)  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  (22)  And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,  (23)  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 2:1-8 NKJV  And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  (2)  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  (3)  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  (4)  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  (5)  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  (6)  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  (7)  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  (8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

If we were raised up at the same time the Head was raised up, and all authority was conferred upon the Head, then it was also conferred upon His body which was raised up together with Him. 

We need to preach the Cross and have a Cross mindset but we need to balance it with a Throne mindset and understand that we WERE crucified with Him but we were also RAISED together with Him and we are SEATED together with Him in the Heavenlies. 

The right hand of God is the center of power of the whole universe. 

Hebrews 1:3 NKJV  (3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

The value of our authority rests on the power behind that authority. God Himself is the power behind that authority. The devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority. 

Our dealings with the devil should always be from a place of victory and authority over him because Jesus has already defeated him for us.

We receive this authority the moment we are Born Again. We receive the authority to use the Name of Jesus when we are Born Again.

What is authority? Authority is delegated power. 

Policemen can direct traffic during the rush hour traffic and hold up their hands and stop cars. Even though they do not have the physical ability to stop cars and trucks, they have the delegated power given to them by the government that they serve. People recognize that authority and stop their cars. 

That means that you as a recipient of the delegated authority of Heaven, that is backed by God Himself, can step out and stop the operations of the devil in your life and he must obey because he recognizes that Power that is backing you.

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Luke 10:17-19 NKJV  (17) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  (18)  And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  (19)  Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

In verse 19, the first word translated “authority” is the Greek word “exousia” which means delegated authority and the second word translated “power” is the Greek word “dunamis” which means ability or capability. 

In speaking about serpents and scorpions, Jesus was referring to the power of the devil – demons, evil spirits and all his cohorts.

Does the Church today have or need any less authority than these disciples did in Jesus day? No!

Matter of fact, Jesus was delegating that authority to them as a man anointed by God under the old covenant. How much more do we have since He personally defeated the enemy and made a show of him?

Faith’s Role in that Authority

Remember, in dealing with the devil, your faith must be based on the Word of God, not manifestation.

Smith Wigglesworth said, “I’m not moved by what I see. I’m not moved by what I feel. I’m moved only by what I believe.”

As long as Satan can keep you in unbelief or hold you in the area of reason, he’ll whip you in every battle. But if you will hold him in the arena of faith and the Spirit, you’ll whip him every time. 

He will not argue with you about the Name of Jesus and the authority in that name. 

Philippians 2:9-11 TPT  (9) Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names!  (10)  The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm.  (11)  And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh,” bringing glory and honor to God, his Father!

We Reign in Life!

Romans 5:17 AMP (17)  For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [ God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

God’s plan for us is that we rule and reign in life as kings. We are to rule over circumstances, sickness, poverty and everything else that would try and hinder us.

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I once read about the story of a man that was travelling from England to the United States during the days of great ocean liners that were the main mode of transportation. The voyage usually took about a week and this man had saved most of his money to be able to buy a ticket so that he could take the trip. Throughout the trip, every evening he would watch as the other passengers would get dressed and go to the dining room and eat the wonderful food that had been prepared. While this was happening, this man would take some crackers and cheese that he had brought with him and rationed it out every day so that he would have something to eat.On the last day of the voyage, as the ship was nearing its destination, the Captain saw this man on the deck and asked him, “Sir, have we offended you in some way or not provided good service to you for your trip?” The man replied, “Oh no. I have been very happy with the accommodations.” “The reason I asked,” The Captain said, “Is that I have not seen you in the dining room one time throughout the whole trip.” The man replied, “Well that is because it was all I could do to save the money just to buy the ticket to board the ship and make the trip, and therefore I could not afford all of those wonderful meals.” Shocked, the Captain replied, “Sir I am so sorry. All of those meals were included in the price of your ticket and you could have been eating with us all along.”

• This man did not know what had been bought and paid for and belonged to him all the time.

I read another story about a man who was found dead in the small, shabby apartment that he rented for $3 a week. He had been a familiar sight on the streets of Chicago for about 20 years, always dressed in rags and easting out of garbage cans. When he wasn’t seen for two or three days, concerned neighbors went to look for him and found him dead in bed. An autopsy revealed that he had died of malnutrition, yet a money belt was found around his waist that contained more than $23,000. The man had lived in abject poverty, peddling newspapers for a living, yet he had money. He could have lived in the finest hotel in town but instead lived in the little, run-down room. He could have eaten the best food but yet he died of malnutrition. 

• This man did not use what belonged to him.

I believe that these two stories can summarize where a lot of believers are in that they either do not know what Jesus has already bought and paid for them and they already possess, or they know what they have or have some idea and do not use what belongs to them. 

John 8:32 NKJV  (32)And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Hosea 4:6 NKJV  (6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 

Hosea 4:6 MSG  (6) My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true. Because you’ve turned your back on knowledge, I’ve turned my back on you priests. Because you refuse to recognize the revelation of God, I’m no longer recognizing your children. 

We want to stir ourselves regarding “The Authority of the Believer.” 

Luke 10:17-19 NKJV  (17) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  (18)  And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  (19)  Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

In verse 19, the first word translated “authority” is the Greek word “exousia” which means delegated authority and the second word translated “power” is the Greek word “dunamis” which means ability or capability. 

In speaking about serpents and scorpions, Jesus was referring to the power of the devil – demons, evil spirits and all his cohorts. 

Does the Church today have or need any less authority than these disciples did in Jesus day? No!

Matter of fact, Jesus was delegating that authority to them as a man anointed by God under the old covenant. How much more do we have since He personally defeated the enemy and made a show of him? 

The value of our authority rests on the power behind that authority. God Himself is the power behind that authority. The devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority. 

Our dealings with the devil should always be from a place of victory and authority over him because Jesus has already defeated him for us.

What is authority? Authority is delegated power. 

Policemen can direct traffic during the rush hour traffic and hold up their hands and stop cars. Even though they do not have the physical ability to stop cars and trucks, they have the delegated power given to them by the government that they serve. People recognize that authority and stop their cars. 

That means that you as a recipient of the delegated authority of Heaven, that is backed by God Himself, can step out and stop the operations of the devil in your life and he must obey because he recognizes that Power that is backing you. 

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV  (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (9)  Resist him (stand against), steadfast (strong and immovable) in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

1 Peter 5:8-9 AMPC  (8) Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.  (9)  Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:9 TPT  Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure. 

1 John 4:4 NKJV  (4) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

1 John 4:4 TPT  (4) Little children, you can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them, for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world. 

We need to understand fully what Jesus accomplished for us in His work of redemption. 

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

Matthew 28:18 AMPC  (18) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Ephesians 1:15-23 TPT  (15) Because of this, since I first heard about your strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your tender love toward all his devoted ones,  (16)  my heart is always full and overflowing with thanks to God for you as I constantly remember you in my prayers. (17) I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.  (18)  I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!  (19)  I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power  (20)  that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!  (21)  And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!  (22)  And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others.  (23)  And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it! 

Ephesians 2:1-8 TPT  (1) And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and offenses.  (2)  It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values of this world, obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God.  (3)  The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self – life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else.  (4)  But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy.  (5)  Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace!  (6)  He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!  (7)  Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.  (8)  For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ!

If we were raised up at the same time the Head was raised up, and all authority was conferred upon the Head, then it was also conferred upon His body which was raised up together with Him. 

We need to preach the Cross and have a Cross mindset but we need to balance it with a Throne mindset and understand that we WERE crucified with Him but we were also RAISED together with Him and we are SEATED together with Him in the Heavenlies. 

The right hand of God is the center of power of the whole universe. 

Hebrews 1:3 NKJV  (3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

As long as Satan can keep you in unbelief or hold you in the area of reason, he’ll whip you in every battle. But if you will hold him in the arena of faith and the Spirit, you’ll whip him every time. 

He will not argue with you about the Name of Jesus and the authority in that name. 

Philippians 2:9-11 TPT  (9) Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names!  (10)  The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm.  (11)  And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh,” bringing glory and honor to God, his Father! 

Mr. E. W. Kenyon wrote in his book, “The Wonderful Name of Jesus” about ministering one night on the Name of Jesus, and in the middle of his message an attorney interrupted him and asked the question, “Do you mean that Jesus has given us the power of attorney?” 

Mr. Kenyon responded to him that he was the lawyer and expert and did Jesus give us the power of attorney? 

The man responded and said if language means anything, Jesus gave to the Church the power of attorney. 

Mr. Kenyon asked him, “What is the value of the power of attorney?” 

The lawyer responded, “It all depends on how much there is in back of it. How much authority and power that this Name represents.” 

All the power and authority that Jesus has and had is invested in His Name. 

Do we have the power of attorney to use His Name? 

Jesus said we could use His Name in prayer, in dealing with demons, and in laying hands on the sick. 

Sometimes we focus too much on our part in ministering to someone, but we must realize that it is the power in His Name that does the work. 

Kenyon states, “The measure of His ability is the measure of the value of that Name, and all that is invested in that Name belongs to us for Jesus gave us the unqualified use of that Name.” 

John 16:23-24 NKJV  (23) “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  (24)  Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 

Jesus not only gives us the use of His Name in prayer but says that the prayers we pray in His Name will receive the special attention of the Father. Jesus was saying that if you ask of the Father in My Name – I will endorse it – and the Father will give it to you. 

Romans 5:17 AMP (17)  For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [ God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).