And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. Luke 4:36
Whenever a soldier is told to act by a senior commanding officer, he goes ahead without turning back straight to accomplish all and even a little extra of what he has been told to do.
He doesn’t go back time and time again asking for permission when he knows that he has been given the right to act on his commanding officer’s behalf.
Worse still, he doesn’t go begging his commanding officer to do what he has been given the right to do.
As Christians, we also have been given the privilege to act.
One area I always feel amazed is in respect of the devil and his agents. This always seems to generate so much attention each time it is mentioned.
Christ never prayed to God to deal with the devil. The early church never prayed to God to deal with the devil. They all rebuked the devil with such authority that left people amazed, wondering, ‘what manner of man is this?’ Ref: Mark 1: 23-27
If our Christianity would amount to much, we must learn that God expects us to act on his behalf with the glorious empowering we received after the Holy Spirit came upon us. Ref: Eph 1: 19 – 23
It now becomes a true loss of identity when such a time comes and we all collectively lift up hands to say ‘Father!! Come and act’. Ref: 1st Pet 4:11
No matter how sweet the plea may be, the truth is he left us on the scenes to act on his behalf.
Today, take a look at the prayers of Paul when they faced the devil and his cohorts. The wordrebuked is derived from a word in the original Greek that means to forbid, warn strictly, or to censure. Now see what it means to tell God come and warn the devil. This is not right.
This came about because they were conscious of the authority that has been given to them. Ref: 2nd Cor. 13:4
Let’s be conscious of the right and authority we have received and walk accordingly. Ref: Acts 1:8; Gal 2:8
When we walk in this consciousness we don’t get distracted because of an enemy already conquered. We move on and truly move on knowing the authority we have been given. Ref: Tit 2:15
Today don’t feel challenged or boxed in a corner. Realise you’ve been empowered and take charge. Ref: Eph. 6:10
CHEERS.
-Dr. Bolaji Akanni
