RESIST THE DEVIL

Welcome to another Sunday, the last Sunday in April. Thank God for His keeping grace and mercies over our lives. This morning, I have come to let you know that as a child of God, you have been authorized to resist the devil. Stop putting up with just anything, open up your mouth and exercise your God given authority. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee because you have authority. You are God’s authorized agent here on earth, you can open up your mouth and make a decree, and it will be established (Job 22:29).

“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.” Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

 

In Luke 10, Jesus gathered seventy people and paired them up to go into different cities, and represent Him (Jesus) in those cities. He gave them some instructions to adhere to during their journey such as, they shouldn’t take money, they shouldn’t greet anyone, and so on. He also told them to heal the sick in the different cities (Luke 10:9). In verse 16, Jesus said that whoever hears the seventy, hears Him. The bible tells us in verse 17 that these seventy men came back with so much joy because of their experience in the cities. They exclaimed saying “Lord even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17) Their experience was completely out of this world. They had seen Jesus perform mighty miracles, deliver oppressed people, but they didn’t expect to have the same experience, and so they were filled with joy and excitement, because they had the same results Jesus had. Jesus’s response to the seventy showed that He expected nothing less, in fact He expected them to have these results. He said to them “I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold I give you authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:18-19 NKJV)

 

Child of God, it’s time for you to arise and begin to resist the devil in what ever area he is rearing his ugly head. God expects that you would have proofs to show of your faith in Him. He expects you to give a black eye to the enemy. He doesn’t expect you to walk around defeated, accepting whatever the enemy throws your way, No. John 14:12 (NKJV) tells us “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” God expects you and I to do greater works, but this can only happen when we arise and take our place as God’s authorized agents here on earth. This is why the scriptures tell us that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2Peter 1:3). God’s plan for us is that we live victoriously here on earth, nothing less than that.

 

No longer would we put up with just anything, we are not going to settle for anything less than God’s best for our lives. I declare that you will eat the good of the land. No evil shall befall you. I will hear your testimonies. I bless you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Maranatha!

 

In His Royal Service
Dr Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop