Using Our God-Given Authority

Yesterday, I shared some thoughts regarding spiritual warfare. While we are not to become distracted or preoccupied with satan or his demons, they do exist and must be resisted at times. The Bible tells us that:

• We are in a very real spiritual war (see 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:18).
• We are soldiers in this war (see Ps. 110:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:3-4). 
• We are to “wrestle” against all levels of the kingdom of darkness (see Ephesians 6:12).
• We are to “resist the devil” (which would in most situations be his demons) and he will flee from us (see James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).
• We are to “tread” on satan and his demons (i.e., exercise authority over them—see Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20).
• We are to cast out demons (see Mark 16:17).
• We have the authority to “bind” (forbid) and “loose” (permit) when dealing with the agents and gates of hell (see Matthew 16:19).
• We have powerful weapons designed to overcome the kingdom of darkness (see 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-20).

Regarding binding and loosing, the book I mentioned yesterday by Jack Hayford, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible, gives an enlightening amplification of Matthew 16:18-19, based on the technical aspects of the Greek wording. Dr. Hayford’s translation makes clear that WE must go on the offense:

“Whatever you may at any time encounter (of hell’s counsels which I’m declaring my church shall prevail against), you will then face a decision as to whether you will or won’t bind it. What transpires will be conditional upon your response. If you do personally and consciously involve yourself in the act of binding the issue on earth, you will discover that at that future moment when you do, that it has already been bound in heaven!”(1)

Wow!

The words bind and loose could be translated as “forbid” and “release.” The Greek words are actually legal terms, as in legally binding, or the opposite – being released from that which legally binds. The Lord is saying He has given us legal authority, spiritually speaking, to stop satan’s attacks and release individuals from his control. God doesn’t give us detailed formulas for doing so. He is not into formulas in any area of biblical truth. He prioritizes relationship, and gives us principles to apply as the Holy Spirit leads us. He alone knows exactly what is needed in each situation. Sometimes we simply give biblical commands, releasing the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17); other times we are led to worship (2 Chronicles 20:1-30), fast (Mark 9:29), or even clap and shout (Psalms 47:1). 

In spiritual warfare, the point is not so much how we wrestle, but that we wrestle – bind, loose, and/or wield the sword – and do so as Holy Spirit leads us. We must go on the offensive and aggressively deal with the forces of darkness whenever necessary. The word “against” is used five times in Ephesians 6 to describe our spiritual warfare. The Greek word is pros, which is a strengthened form of pro. We get the English word “pro/professional” from it. These Greek words mean “in front of,”(2) or “superior to.” We use the concept when referring to professional athletes. A pro athlete is one who is “in front of” or “superior to” others. The words also have the connotation of stepping forward and facing toward something or someone.(3) Paul is using the symbolism in this Ephesians passage of a wrestler stepping forward and facing his opponent. God is saying to us in these verses, “Step forward and face the kingdom of darkness. Wear the armor I have provided and overcome them.”

The following remarkable story tells of two powerful intercessors stepping forward to face demonic powers. John G. Lake, a missionary to South Africa in the first half of the 20th century, relates the story of a fever epidemic that struck a portion of South Africa in a single night. The devastation was such that in one month, a fourth of the entire population of that region died. There were not enough caskets to meet the need, and people were being buried in blankets, so great was the devastation.

Lake tells of a powerful intercessor who began to pray. For days— all day long and into the night—he stationed himself under a tree and prayed against the plague. Several times, Lake asked the man, “Are you getting through?”

He would reply, “Not yet.” But one day he said to Lake, “I feel today that if I had just a little help in faith, my spirit would go through.” Lake got on his knees and joined the man in prayer. What happened next is amazing. Here it is in Lake’s own words:

“As we prayed, the Spirit of the Lord overwhelmed our souls, and presently I found myself, not kneeling under the tree, but moving gradually away from the tree….My eyes gradually opened, and I witnessed such a scene as I never witnessed before – a multitude of demons like a flock of sheep! The Spirit had come upon the other man also, and he rushed ahead of me, rebuking that army of demons, and they were driven back to hell, or the place from whence they came. Beloved, the next morning when I awoke, that epidemic of fever was gone.(4)

We have authority; we must learn to use it!

I shared this from “Give Him 15” by Dutch Sheets. Powerful and anointed teaching about praying and taking authority over our enemy. You have legal authority to bind and lose over your situation, community, church, and nation. Prayer moves mountains. Let’s pray! Rh

Pray Engage Impact