Beginnings: Your New Authority

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Luke 10:19 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Romans 13:1 (ESV)

Whatever you do, wherever you go, in regards to your calling or career, you’re a soldier in the army of God.

Your Captain gave you the authority to stand tall in spiritual warfare. By His Word, you can: 

  • 'Stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11),

  • 'Extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one' (Ephesians 6:16), and

  • ‘Tread on serpents and scorpions’ (Luke 10:19).

Even so, as soldiers must be adults, God’s soldiers must be mature believers: 'Those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil' (Hebrews 5:14). Therein:

  1. Read the Bible as DAILY exercise! Jesus fought Satan with the Word of God. You must know the Word to push back evil. Refuse to remain a baby Christian.

  2. 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8). Ignoring evil is self-defeating.

  3. Fight for people who can’t fight for themselves. The root of their threat is spiritual. Intercessory prayer works wonders. God’s warriors are prayer warriors.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Clearly, God gave you the authority to stand tall in earthly performances.

'You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them' (Matthew 10:18);
'Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising' (Isaiah 60:3);
'A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men' (Proverbs 18:16).

In these great promises, know how to act:

  • To 'Spiritual forces of evil' (Ephesians 6:12), be fierce in God’s spiritual armor.

  • Before worldly forces in media, be respectful ambassadors of Christ. (Showing respect is both wise and savvy, to help you rise in a foreign culture.) ‘Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves’ (Matthew 10:16).

As God ordains, your NEW AUTHORITY is both spiritual and physical. Like Esther; 'Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' (Esther 4:14). The Almighty knows, but my vote is Yes!

Beginnings: Your New Authority (Part 24)

* What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare? | GotQuestions.org

* What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban