March 22, 2011 | Seth Barnes | Courage | 10 Comments

God wants to give you more spiritual authority

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Courage

Here’s a question you don’t get asked every day: How much spiritual authority are you able to wield? Over the last twenty years the Lord has slowly grown me up in this. I used to struggle with stuff that would send me into a tailspin. And gradually I began to see the spiritual roots of …

By Seth Barnes

22 March 2011, 12:03 am

By Seth Barnes

22 March 2011, 12:03 am

Here’s a question you don’t get asked every day: How much spiritual authority are you able to wield?

Over the last twenty years the Lord has slowly grown me up in this. I used to struggle with stuff that would send me into a tailspin. And gradually I began to see the spiritual roots of many of my problems. If I could help you tackle the issues that complicate your life, I’d begin by helping you to understand where you’re under attack and how to fight back.

I might begin by asking you some questions:

Do you have enough spiritual authority to protect yourself from thoughts of insecurity? Do you you hear thoughts like, “I’ll never amount to much”?
Do you have enough spiritual authority to able to protect your family from the enemy? For example, if your child is hanging around the wrong friends and
your spouse isn’t much help, do you know how to battle in prayer for
your child’s heart?
Do you have what you need to advance the kingdom by bringing hope to widows and orphans?

The sad fact is, most of us who follow Jesus have been given a lot more spiritual authority than we use. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “You need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:12)

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to see this, but God wants to give us all a lot more spiritual authority than we’ve got. He wants you and me to become an offensive weapon in his arsenal, not some sword mounted on the wall for show.

God made us to be gloriously free. We can help set people free and bring the kingdom if we’ll start diving into this issue of spiritual authority. Whatever success you’ve had, whatever authority you may wield, God wants to give you more.

A good discipler will help you grow in this if you ask him or her. I suggest asking God about this to see what he says about the issue.

Comments (10)

Amber

March 22, 2011 at 1:07 am

Reply

How to we learn how to war against the enemy’s attacks?
How do we know what and how to pray when our spirits are weak?
How do we know who to trust in this world of wolves in wool when seeking out a teacher to learn from?

Thankfully- God has put life pourers in my path to show me, but these are questions I’ve asked myself regarding situational circumstances for others. And quite honestly- there are times when the enemy has pressed me so hard that my brain is mushy and I lose sight of the Truth I had already learned.

IT’s almost as if I need a “pocket guide” to overcoming spiritual battles.

I’m personally NOT a good teacher (and a poor retainer of information) and reminding myself and directing those that are confused about how to gird up their legs and stand firm in THE authority they have through Jesus is quite challenging.

In all of my Christian walk, I’ve been blessed with a small handful of Truth Tellers who’ve directed me in the ways of spiritual battles, NONE of which have been pastors.
It’s not a widely discussed ‘church’ topic.

Where would you direct those that are unclear about the authority they have, when to recognize a spiritual attack, etc.
Nate

March 22, 2011 at 1:44 am

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this is a good book on our spiritual authority.

I Give You Authority by Dr. Charles Kraft.

http://www.amazon.com/Give-You-Authority-Charles-Kraft/dp/0800792564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300772450&sr=8-1
Butch Maltby

March 22, 2011 at 1:53 am

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Thank you Seth. Our authority is only as valid as the God we serve. I love your heart friend.
Loretta Washburn

March 22, 2011 at 3:20 am

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Thank you. I’ve been getting loads out of Bill Johnson’s sermons as well.
Emmanuel Sadiq

March 22, 2011 at 4:43 am

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Thank you daddy Seth for this wonderful article.May God bless you.Emmanuel Sadiq
Peggy Buller

March 22, 2011 at 8:13 am

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Great words of challenge and it’s always great to take time to STOP and ask the Lord what we need. Praise the Lord for the Word of God! Thanks Seth for taking time to help build the body of Christ.
Jeff Goins

March 22, 2011 at 8:51 am

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Challenging.
Kenny Sacht

March 22, 2011 at 9:04 am

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YES! Seth, you are spot on! God desires to give us more authority. We are so focused on other things and in such a whirlwind of life that we can’t see clearly amidst all the chatter of life.

“Oh Jesus, please bring your church into a place where we recognize the authority that you want to give. Raise us up to do the “stuff”…”
seth

March 22, 2011 at 2:30 pm

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Amber,

I suggest that you pray into finding a local discipler. I could perhaps connect you to one in the Gainesville area.
Kathy Paulick

March 22, 2011 at 8:45 pm

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thanks for this post Seth, we’re studying Hebrews in my Precepts class and i know that there is so much power and authority available to us that we just don’t tap into, but we need to learn how to do so and have confidence that the Lord wants to give us this authority.