PART TWO: AUTHORITY, COMMUNION AND THE WALK OF THE SPIRITUAL MAN
4. THE AUTHORITY OF GOD
Authority has been given to the believer, but it must be exercised in submission to God. The issue is not the weakness of Jesus’ name, but the submission of the vessel using it.
The sons of Sceva attempted to use the name of Jesus without the relationship and authority they claimed. The evil spirit answered:
«“Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
— Acts 19:15»
James gives the order:
«“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7»
Submit to God, then resist the devil. Authority flows properly through a yielded vessel. Disobedience cannot be separated from the exercise of spiritual authority.
Yield Yourself to God
Paul says:
«“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…”
— Romans 6:13»
«“…for sin shall not have dominion over you.”
— Romans 6:14»
Your body, mind, words, hands, decisions, abilities and relationships must become instruments in God’s hands. Submission is both the condition for authority and the posture that keeps us in communion with Him.
The Communion of the Spiritual Man
The spiritual life is not merely the possession of power; it is communion with God. In 1 John 5, divine life is connected with faith, obedience, prayer, understanding and victory.
«“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”
— 1 John 5:14»
«“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true…”
— 1 John 5:20»
The progression is:
Life.
Faith.
Obedience.
Will.
Prayer.
Understanding.
Communion.
Victory.
Communion keeps the believer aligned with God’s will, receptive to His wisdom and faithful in exercising His authority.
The Wisdom That Comes from Above
James gives a practical test for spiritual wisdom:
«“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
— James 3:14»
He then says:
«“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
— James 3:17»
Ask of what you are doing: Is it pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, impartial and sincere? These qualities also govern how we communicate what God has shown us. A revelation can be communicated wrongly when it is not carried by divine wisdom.
Peace is a hallmark of the wisdom from above.
—
YOU ARE NOT HELPLESS
When circumstances oppose you, do not let the natural realm define you. You are born of God, possess His life, have access to His Word and Spirit, and have been given wisdom and authority in Jesus’ name.
These must function through submission, obedience, faith and communion with God.
You are not merely of the earth; you have been born from above. You are not called to live as a victim, but by faith; not in fear, but in the consciousness of God’s life; not merely to know about God, but to know Him.
«“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true…”
— 1 John 5:20»
Practical Application: Walk as a Spiritual Man
The invisible Kingdom, the life and Spirit of God, His wisdom and His authority are real. The believer must learn to function from this reality.
You were born of God. You have received His life. You are called to walk in His will, receive His wisdom and remain yielded to His authority.
When circumstances oppose you, return to the Word, respond in faith, seek God’s wisdom, remain in communion with Him and act according to His leading.
You were born to overcome.
«“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
— 1 John 5:4»
Walk in the Spirit.
Walk in the Word.
Walk in submission.
Walk in wisdom.
Walk in authority.
Walk in the consciousness of the divine life within you.