EXERCISE YOUR GOD GIVEN AUTHORITY

Dearly Beloved, I bring you greetings in the name that is above every other name, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God and our soon coming King. Thank God for His keeping grace over our lives, families and loved ones; indeed He is a good God and we bless His holy name. This morning I’ve come to remind you that even in the midst of all the crises and uncertainties that the world is faced with right now, that as a child of God you have authority. God has not left you without adequately providing for you. He has equipped you with everything necessary to not only stand against the kingdom of darkness, but overcome them.

 

However, the problems most of us have as believers are that we are either ignorant of this truth, or that we’re too lazy to exercise our authority. Ephesians 6:10-11 charges us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. However, it did not just stop there, it answered the question “how”, which is by putting on the whole armour of God, so that we can stand against the orchestrations of the devil.

 

The key word there is ‘put on’, do you know why? Because the armour has already been provided, but the believer must put it on, if he/she must victoriously stand against the wiles, deceits and interceptions of the enemy. God is not going to construct or design another separate armour for you, He already provided it. Your responsibility therefore is to activate it – put it on! I’ve said this many times and it bears repetition; there are things that are meant for God to do in His exclusive class, and whilst God plays His part, we must also play ours as believers. God will not do for you, what He has provided you with the capacity and ability to do for yourself.

 

Now let’s look at this scripture;

 

“Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority.” (Luke 10:19 TPT)

 

If you read these words in your Bible especially if you have a Bible that has annotations, you’ll see that these words are written in “red” which is an indication that they are direct words of Jesus. Jesus said I have given you all my authority so you can trample over the kingdom of darkness and overcome whatever it is the devil brings against you. He says nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority. Beloved, the only way to withstand the onslaughts of the wicked one is to walk in your authority.

 

Now think about this; Jesus, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth and all things within it, both seen and unseen, has given you His authority whilst here on earth, for one purpose only — to exercise it. Question, of what use is all that power and authority if it is not exercised?

 

Child of God, now more than ever before, you need to put on the whole armour of God and exercise your God-given authority! Take charge of your mind, your family, your business, your finances, your job, your ministry, your health, your marriage and every other area of your life where the enemy is attacking! Take back that territory, and stop the enemy from running roughshod over your life. Jesus has given you authority, exercise it!

 

I pray for you this week that your eyes will be flooded with light so that you may know all that has been freely given to you through Christ Jesus.

 

Maranatha!

 

In His Royal Service,

Dr. Mike Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop