The Authority of Christ #2

To apply Christ’s authority in one’s life we have to know whom to exert that authority for, and against.  If we rightly identify our enemy’s works, we can pray against him.  And that leaves the field wide open to pray for the brethren.

Satan wants to turn us against God and against each other.  We have authority to defeat that process, if we choose to love instead of hate, and have faith instead of doubt.  When we pray on behalf of a brother or sister in Christ, we build God’s kingdom and destroy satan’s.  When we pray against satan’s activities, we do the same.  Our enemy will send onslaughts against our mind to prevent us from prayer because it is so powerful.  He will intimidate us so that we will not feel worthy of the authority we were given.  Satan is afraid of the outcome of prayer.

Though in Revelation 12 we see the battle fought in heaven, it has come to the earth.  We fight it in our minds, with our choices and emotions.  The results of our inner wars determine our outer words and actions.  Well it was written that the issues of life reside within the heart (Prov 4:23).  If we keep our hearts fortified with love and the word of God, we will speak and act well.  If we let our hearts become plundered with doubt and hatred, we will become an agent of our enemy and a campground for fools.

We should thank satan for bringing our brethren before us to accuse.  Our reply should be “thank you for reminding me to pray for him.”  Train your mind to be aware of what our enemy brings to you.  Remember that you have the authority to forgive or to retain a man’s offenses against him (Jn 20:23). Because of our authority in Christ, satan tries to get us to deliver a verdict against one another.  However, as subtle and wiley as he is, God is wiser.  Our prayers for each other deliver one another from trial and into appointed destinies.  On our knees we can do exploits for our Lord.