Life has a way of constantly throwing trouble our way. The paycheck falls short of covering the bills. The kids misbehave. The car breaks down. In the last year, price’s everywhere have risen, in some cases even doubled, making it even more difficult for the paycheck.
Lately, it seems all I hear is doom and gloom. Like many others, I believe we are in the last days of the last days. Yes, the seven years of tribulation might be just around the corner, but we do not have to be afraid! We can be victorious today and in the days to come.
You Have Power and Authority
Have you forgotten the power and authority you’ve been given as believers? Maybe you never learned about it.
Luke 10:19 KJV tells us, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Those serpents, scorpions, and enemy are Satan’s demons and Satan himself.
The same verse from the New Living Translation says, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”
Let’s define authority. Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary states “power to require and receive submission : the right to expect obedience : superiority derived from a status that carries with it the right to command and give final decisions.”
Wow! Let that sink in for a minute.
You have the authority to require and receive submission and expect obedience from Satan and his cohorts. When you get a good grasp on that, you’ll start living differently. And let me remind you, Jesus already defeated Satan (Colossians 2:15), but Satan will continue to deceive those whom he can.
So how can I be victorious today?
Firstly, be fully convinced of the authority God has given you. Many other verses speak to our authority: Matthew 10:8, 28:18–19, Mark 16:17, Luke 9:1, 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 to name a few. Meditate on these to gain the assurance you need.
Secondly, use your authority. James 4:7b tells us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (KJV).
Therefore, at the first sign of trouble (pain or onset of sickness or fear, etc.), I command Satan and his demons to go away. Satan is a created being, not deity. He can’t be in more than one place at a time. He has bigger problems to create elsewhere than to mess with me. All the same, I address both Satan and his demons when I resist.
Matthew 16:19 NKJV says, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The New Living Translation puts it this way: “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
Keys give us authority. Without the keys to the car, you can’t get in and drive it. Without keys to the house, you can’t get in, or lock the door and keep others out. Further instruction on these keys appears in Matthew 18:18–20.
Life’s Instruction Manual
The Bible is our instruction manual for life and for battle. His Word is our sword (Ephesians 6:17b), and we wield that sword by speaking His Word. God spoke the worlds into existence (Genesis 1); Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations by speaking the Word (Matthew 4:4–10). Most certainly, they are our examples.
Like all things you do, you’ll get better at this over time. Start today by praying the prayer below:
“Heavenly Father, You are holy, mighty, and worthy of praise. You are my Lord and Savior. Thank you for the authority and power You’ve given me against the enemy. Satan, in Jesus’ name, I resist you and your demons and command you to leave me and my family alone. I bind the spirit of _____________ (fill in the blank with a specific issue such as illness) from affecting ________________ (fill name of person) any longer. These things are part of the curse and I and my family have been freed from the curse. Loose ______________ (fill in name) from the addiction of ____________ (alcohol, drugs, etc.). Your Word says ‘ask and it shall be given.’ Thank You, Lord. I believe and I receive these answers right now. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
You can victorious today! Trust the Lord and use the power, authority, and keys He has given you.