Spiritual Power and Authority
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ” -Matt 8:5-10 (KJV)
Christians are not to be spiritual wimps! We are not to be fearful or doubting as to our place in God’s kingdom. We are to be spiritually strong with great faith. We are to stand and repel the spiritual darts launched at us from demonic strongholds. We are to stand strong in our faith in the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to speak to our mountain, our problems, our obstacles. We are to speak with authority. So how do we do all this?
Authority
First and foremost we must realize our spiritual authority in Christ. Jesus marveled at this centurion because of his great faith. This centurion knew what authority and power meant as he was a commander of many men. Typically a Roman centurion was literate and had to have served in the military for several years before being promoted to the position. He usually commanded anywhere from 80 to 480 (cohort) men. He was a man respected and one having great authority over those under his command. This centurion knew where he stood in the Roman military and therefore realized that Jesus had a much greater authority, a much higher authority. I believe he knew this because he knew authority and recognized that Jesus could heal by His authority as God. I believe this man was open to the things of God and knew without question that Jesus had the power and authority to heal. We too must know where we stand in Christ – this is of paramount importance.
“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” -Mark 11:23 (KJV)
No Doubting
Therefore we as Christians must speak and act with the authority the Lord has given us over the spiritual and physical realms. But we must ask in faith believing without doubting. In this way the Lord God is pleased with us – Heb 11:6. The centurion in this parable knew that Jesus had power and spoke with authority and without doubt even perceived that He could heal his servant without coming to his house. Here we have an example of intercessory prayer – praying for someone that you don’t see or hear. This Roman Commander also presents us with another Biblical example and that is of humility. This parable is filled with Biblical truths evidenced in faith and power.
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” – James 1:6 (KJV)
Power in the Name
Next we must pray and ask in the power of the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. There is limitless power in the name of Jesus as it represents His completed work on the cross: redemption, victory over sin and death and authority over all the power of Devil’s wicked realm – Luke 10:19. We must, as Christians, realize the power that we have as children of God. We must use this power only as we are led by His Holy Spirit and not by our own selfish fleshly desires.
“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:” – Eph 1:20-21 (KJV)
Armor
Finally in order to speak with the authority of Jesus we must daily put on the spiritual armor to combat the wiles of the Devil against us. This is an ongoing battle that without this armor, we will be overcome, crushed, depressed, oppressed, and defeated. You must comprehend this spiritual reality and understand it fully in order to overcome.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ” -Eph 6:10-17 (KJV)
In the days ahead when the world systems start collapsing and wars abound, when the weight of cares and concerns are overwhelming, when your hope in worldly things vanishes, when your trust in government and people fades, you will have only one thing left. And that is your faith in Christ. He is a sure foundation and without this faith; without a secure foothold in His kingdom you will not be able to stand. Be steadfast in Him maintaining your stature in spiritual power and authority in the one that will never let you down – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world. Keep reading His word – the Bible – and praying for this is how we understand and know Him.
-BPWatcher