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Your Authority and Victory Over Your Enemy

John 10:10 New Living Translation


10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is
to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 THE MESSAGE
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life
than they ever dreamed of.

1 Peter 5:8 AMP


8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and
cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around
like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon
and devour.
1 Peter 5:9 AMP
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset - rooted,
established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the
same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the
whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
Christian is called to a militant lifestyle.
There are several conflicts going on around us as Christians.
Conflicts come in different categories physical, mental, spiritual,
economic, financial, health, political.
The creative order, principles and commandments of God are
constantly being attacked by satan and his forces.
We are constantly faced with diverse kinds of temptations, ungodly
ideas and propositions.
We are equally confronted with seemingly attractive and profitable
offers initiated and packaged by satan from the pit of hell to make
Christians sin.
The survival of each Christian depends on his/her level of
preparedness to handle and face these conflicts.

Your Authority and Victory Over Your Enemy


It also depends on the capacity to effectively engage in actual
spiritual battle in these conflicts.
Each person is expected to carefully, effectively and constantly
monitor the enemys plans and activities.
We must be fully prepared and battle ready to discover every move of
the enemy around us and completely neutralize every attack of the
enemy.
1 Peter 5:10 AMP
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who
imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal
glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought
to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Here the apostle does three things:
I. He shows them their danger from an enemy more cruel and restless than
even the worst of men, whom he describes,
1. By his characters and names.
a) He is an adversary: "That adversary of yours; not a common
adversary, but an enemy that impleads you, and litigates
against you in your grand depending cause, and aims at your
very souls."
b) The devil, the grand accuser of all the brethren; this title is
derived from a word which signifies to strike through, or to stab.
He would strike malignity into our natures and poison into our
souls. If he could have struck these people with passion and
murmuring in their sufferings, perhaps he might have drawn
them to apostasy and ruin.
c) He is a roaring lion, hungry, fierce, strong, and cruel, the fierce
and greedy pursuer of souls.
2. By his business: He walks about, seeking whom he may
devour; his whole design is to devour and destroy souls. To this end
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he is unwearied and restless in his malicious endeavours; for he
always, night and day, goes about studying and contriving whom he
may ensnare to their eternal ruin.

II. Hence he infers that it is their duty,


1. To be sober, and to govern both the outward and the inward man
by the rules of temperance, modesty, and mortification.
2. To be vigilant; not secure or careless, but rather suspicious of
constant danger from this spiritual enemy, and, under that
apprehension, to be watchful and diligent to prevent his designs
and save our souls.
3. To resist him steadfast in the faith. It was the faith of these people
that Satan aimed at; if he could overturn their faith, and draw them
into apostasy, then he knew he should gain his point, and ruin their
souls; therefore, to destroy their faith, he raises bitter persecutions,
and sets the grand potentates of the world against them. This strong
trial and temptation they must resist, by being well-grounded,
resolute, and steadfast in the faith: to encourage them to this,

III. He tells them that their care was not singular, for they knew that the like
afflictions befell their brethren in all parts of the world, and that all the
people of God were their fellow-soldiers in this warfare. Learn,
i.

ii.

iii.

All the great persecutions that ever were in the world were raised,
spirited up, and conducted, by the devil; he is the grand persecutor,
as well as the deceiver and accuser, of the brethren; men are his
willing spiteful instruments, but he is the chief adversary that wars
against Christ and his people, Gen 3:15; Rev 12:12.
The design of Satan in raising persecutions against the faithful
servants of God is to bring them to apostasy, by reason of their
sufferings, and so to destroy their souls.
Sobriety and watchfulness are necessary virtues at all times, but
especially in times of suffering and persecution. "You must moderate

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iv.

v.

your affection to worldly things, or else Satan will soon overcome


you."
"If you would overcome Satan, as a tempter, an accuser, or a
persecutor, you must resist him steadfast in the faith; if your faith give
way, you are gone; therefore, above all, take the shield of faith," Eph
6:16.
The consideration of what others suffer is proper to encourage us to
bear our own share in any affliction: The same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren.

We must be careful of the Lust of the eyes, Lust of the Flesh and the
Pride of Life
Matt 16:18-19 AMP
18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros - a large piece of rock], and
on this rock [Greek, petra - a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region)
shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out
against it].
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever
you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what
is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful)
on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. [Isa 22:22.]
Whatever our calling may be, to meet each situation, each person in union
with Christ Jesus, needs to exercise an authority to which the powers of the
air, satanic powers must give place wherever challenged.
Probably because of the extreme importance of a correct understanding
of its privileges and responsibilities, and because of the power which they
confer on a militant believer, the enemy has specially sought to hold back
this knowledge from God's people.
What Authority Is

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Authority is delegated power. Its value depends upon the force behind the
user. The believer, who is fully conscious of divine Power backing him, and
of his own authority thereby, can face the enemy without fear or hesitation.
Behind the "authority" possessed by the believer, there is a "Power"
infinitely greater than that which backs his enemies, and which they are
compelled to recognize.
After he was raised from among the dead, Christ Jesus was exalted by
God to His own right hand in the heavenlies. The resurrection had been
opposed by the tremendous "powers of the air" - "all principality, and power,
and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this
world [age] but also in that which is to come." The evil forces of the "age
to come" had been arrayed against the purpose of God. They had,
however, been baffled and overthrown, and the risen Lord had been
enthroned "far above" them, ruling with the authority of the Most High.
In Romans 6, the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus are shown to
also include His people. The passage in Romans sets forth
(1) the death to sin of the believer with the crucified Christ, and
(2) the consequent annulling of the power of sin over him through the
impartation of the life of the resurrected Christ. The believer is thus made
a full partaker of Christ's righteousness. But Ephesians lifts
(3) the believer is lifted with the ascended Christ to the heavenlies where
he is made a partaker of Christ's throne.
It is the birthright of every true believer, every born-again child of God
because of his elevation with Christ to the right hand of the Father. He
has becomean occupant of the Throne of the Lord, with all that it implies of
privilege and responsibility.

Eph 1:19-23 AMP

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19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable
and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who
believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,
20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and
seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],
21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every
name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only
in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which
are to come.
22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the
universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised
throughout the church], [Ps 8:6.]
23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body
lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who
fills everything everywhere with Himself].
The Location of Authority
Ephesians 2:4-7 AMP
4 But God - so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the
great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and
trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with
Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life
with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy
which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from
judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).
6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down
together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by
virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

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7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come
the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His
unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in
Christ Jesus.
The working here indicated is all on the part of God the Father. It is He who
quickened the saints together with Christ and forgave their trespasses. It is
He who blotted out the adverse decrees of the law, which stood in the way
of His people, and nailed the canceled handwriting to the cross of His
Son. It is He who spoiled, completely stripped the mighty principalities and
powers that had opposed the resurrection of the Lord, and led them captive
in triumphal procession in Christ.
Qualifications for Authority
It is the inherent right of the child of God because of his elevation with
Christ to the right hand of the Father. He has become, through the rich
mercy of God, an occupant of the Throne of the Lord, with all that it implies
of privilege and responsibility.
Acceptance - There must be a receptive heart and attitude on our part, a
readiness to receive, these things being the witness of their spirits to the
truth which the Holy Ghost has unfolded in the Word.
We need to continually to pray with deep heart-humility that "the eyes of
our mind may be enlightened".
Belief/Faith - to believe means literally "to live in accordance with" the
Word of God, to have trust in God and to manifest that trust by practical
committal to Him and His Word.
Let us, morning by morning, as one of our first acts of worship, take our
seat with Christ (as suggested in the previous paragraph) and return thanks
to God for all that it implies. Let us often remind ourselves that we are
seated far above all the powers of the air, and that they are in subjection to
us. As our faith learns to use the Name and the Authority of Jesus, we shall
find the spiritual forces yielding obedience in ways that will surprise us, and
will increasingly manifest the exercise of a spiritual authority that

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recognizes no national boundaries, but fearlessly binds the forces of
darkness in any part of the world.
Our reaction to it will be a fervent prayer should be: "Lord, I accept Thy
gracious word. I believe that Thou hast thus wrought for me. In humble faith
I do now take my seat in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus at Thy right
hand. Teach me how to fulfill this sacred ministry, how to exercise the
authority which Thou hast entrusted to me. Train me day by day that I may
attain to the full stature of the perfect man in Christ, so that in me
Thy purpose of the ages may be fulfilled. Amen."
Humility - While faith/belief introduces us to our place of throne-power,
only humility will ensure our retaining it. With a strategy gained in long
experience in spiritual battles, the satanic enemies know that the offensive
is their best mode of defense. One of their tested weapons is spiritual pride,
and too often it proves effective.
Boldness - With profound humility, may arise the greatest boldness in the
Person and Name of Jesus. True boldness is faith in full manifestation.
When God has spoken, to hold back is not humility but unbelief. In the
exercise of authority, there is needed a divine courage that fears
nothing but God, and reaches out strong hands to bind and to
restrain all that is contrary to Him. But with this courage there must be
a continual and close abiding in God, a spirit that is alert to every urge and
check from Him, and a mind that is steeped in the Word of God.
Fear - The heavenlies, while the place of "every spiritual blessing" (1:3),
are, as well, the place of most intense conflict. Let the believer, whose eyes
have been opened to the comprehension of his throne rights in Christ,
definitely accept his seat, and begin to exercise the spiritual authority which
it confers upon him. He quickly realizes that he is a marked man. Bitterly
they resent and resist his entrance into their domain, and his interference
with their workings. Implacable and malignant, they concentrate their
hatred against him in an intense warfare, in which there is no discharge. If
attacks against his spirit are successfully resisted, assaults may come in
mind, or body, or family, or circumstances. The place of special privilege
thus becomes a place of special danger.
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The Panoply of God


The only place of safety is the occupation of the seat itself. It is "far
above" the enemy. If the believer abides steadfastly by faith in this location,
he cannot be touched. Consequently the enemy puts forth all his "wiles" to
draw him down in spirit, for, once out of his seat, his authority is gone, and
he is no longer dangerous, and, further, he is open to attack.
To maintain his place against the wiles of the devil, the believer must be
constantly arrayed in full armor. The different parts of this armor symbolize
certain spiritual attitudes which he must maintain. It is most important to
understand that the armor itself when worn constitutes the protection of
the believer, and not his activity against the foe. Fully harnessed, he is
fully kept, and is unhampered in his ministry of authority. All that he need be
concerned about is, like a good soldier, to keep his armor bright and well
secured about him.

Matt 16:18-19 AMP


18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros a large piece of rock],
and on this rock [Greek, petra a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region)
shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out
against it].
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever
you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what
is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful)
on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. [Isa 22:22.]

Eph 6:10-18 AMP

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10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union
with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless
might provides].
11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier
which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up
against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only
with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the
powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this
present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the
heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist
and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the
crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth
around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of
moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the
firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the
good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa 52:7.]
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can
quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields,
which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with
all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with
strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints
(God's consecrated people).
Let us note briefly the meaning of the various parts of the panoply: no item
can be omitted. There is
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(1) "the girdle of truth," the clear understanding of God's Word, which, like a
soldier's belt, holds the rest of the armor in place.
(2) "The breastplate of righteousness," not, as often stated, the
righteousness of Christ, but rather the active obedience to the Word
which he has received.
(3) The "feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace," a faithful
ministry in the heralding of the Word.
(4) "The shield of faith" (thureos, the large door shaped shield covering the
whole body), which indicates his complete refuge under the blood of
Calvary, where no power of the enemy can penetrate.
(5) "The helmet of salvation" (called elsewhere "the hope of salvation," I
Thess. 5:8). It is a remarkable fact that the hope of salvation, the coming of
the Lord Jesus, is the only helmet that seems able to protect the head in
these days of apostasy from the truth.
(6) "The sword of the Spirit," which shows the Word of God used in an
active sense, even as the "girdle" shows it in a defensive one.
(7) "All-prayer," the training of the faculties God ward by constant approach
to God.
The emphasis in Ephesians 6 is laid on victory. Note the following
paraphrase which brings out the full force of verse 13: "Wherefore take up
with you to the battle the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
successfully withstand in the evil (lay, and having overthrown all foes,
to remain unshaken." There is no suggestion of defeat. Secure within his
armor, the believer may disregard the enemy, and give his entire attention
to the exercise of the ministry to which he has been called.
The Blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God
The Blood represents, not only the cleansing from the guilt and power of
sin, but it is also the witness of that overwhelming victory gained at
Calvary, by virtue of which the Lord is now seated on high. Once this is
grasped, the believer sees that he has not to fight against the foe, but
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simply to hold over him an already accomplished triumph, the
authority of which he shares to the full.
Exercising Your Authority
"To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron," and,
in that approaching day of full exaltation in the presence of the King, "to
execute upon them the judgment written."
"This honor have all his saints" (Ps. 149:8, 9).
Release from Oppression of Body
Standing against sickness/weakness or infirmity in the body. If anybody has
been involved with satanic powers, the connection with these powers
should be acknowledged and confessed. Then a definite stand, in the
authority of the Lord, should be taken, absolutely refusing the further
working of evil spirits in your body, which has been purchased by the
precious blood."
Release from Oppression of Mind
When people experience persistent, gradual or sudden attacks of intense
despondency. It an attempt of satanic forces to place the mind in complete
bondage. All joy disappears and only a feeble hold of salvation may be
retained. Suggestions of suicide may be frequent, pressing with an urgency
that may be hard to resist.
The place of victory and authority in Christ should shown from the
Word of God. The person should be urged to declare victory audibly full
assertions of faith and acceptance of what Christ had gained and the
Father had bestowed.
Authority over Excessive Anger
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath," the
apostle charges the readers of the epistle we have been studying; "neither
give place to the devil." A very quick and ungovernable temper sometimes
having been stirred up by a trivial matter, may lead complete loss of selfcontrol, and speedily became almost insane with rage.
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There is an intimate connection between sinful anger and the prince of evil,
and sustained wrath will surely open the door to his entrance.
Quietly and definitely take authority over the spirits of evil who were behind
the ostensible cause, and command their withdrawal.
Authority over Fear
When people begin to show unusual fear, which become almost
uncontrollable, seems to be directed against the progress of their
evangelistic efforts, self-development and business. They should quietly
take the authority of Christ over the spirits of fear and rebuke them.
Demon Obsession
Demons recognize at once anyone who can exercise the authority of the
Lord, and they are afraid of him. But full deliverance in such a case as this
cannot take place without the consent of the one attacked.
Authority over Opposers of the Truth
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority we bind the
strong man from stirring up these people, and from attacking God's work."
Inferences
Such instances as the foregoing might be multiplied, but these have been
selected as illustrating different phases of the question.
They are sufficient to show that there are many situations where the direct
working of spirits of evil may be inferred.
In all such situations, the authority of the Lord is available for the instructed
believer. And, where in faith the obedient saint claims his throne rights in
Christ, and boldly exerts his authority, the powers of the air will recognize
and obey.
There may be unwillingness and delay on their part, and time may be
required.
But, once the word of authority is spoken, it is not necessary to repeat it.
The believer must "stand" (6:13), and strengthen himself in God as he
waits.
He will learn with joy, as did the disciples of old, that "even the demons are
subject unto us through thy name."
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Apply now these lessons to the great problems of the extension of the
Kingdom that face us.
Shortage of funds
We speak of the financial distress, but is any work of the devil today
distressed for funds? Satan is choking the channels of Christian
benevolence in many and shrewd ways, but he leaves free those which
minister to pleasure and sensuality. Several cases in widely separated
parts of the land where funds are tied up, which, if released, would be
instrumental in the advancement of the Gospel.
Lands Closed to the Gospel.
Human governmental authority seems responsible for these. But in the
background, there stand the shadowy forms of the great princes (Dan. 10),
whose dicta rule the minds and wills of the men whom we see.
Afghanistan, Arabia, Tibet, and other lesser areas are thus garrisoned
against the entry of the truth. They will thus remain until there rises in the
Church believing groups, who shall "agree" that this state of affairs shall no
longer continue. And, as such bands, with one accord, exercise a spiritual
will of freedom for these lands, saying in the name of the Lord, "This shall
not be!" the unseen dominant forces shall be dominant no longer, but shall
yield ground, and the barriers shall fall.
Here are hindrances to advance in the field work.
Fanatic Islam meets us with bigotry, jealousy and violence;
Paganism with fear and hatred;
Ignorance binds the heathen mind in darkness that seems impenetrable.
Fierce attacks, such as recently occurred in Northern Nigeria and other
places, fall upon the workers, and some are cut off.
Dissension - rise in the ranks of brethren, and the Spirit of peace
withdraws. Behind every such situation the presence of the same malign
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powers can be assumed. The solution is in their displacement we alone are
to blame that they continue in power.
The same principle is often applicable in personal evangelism. A soul under
conviction has great difficulty in grasping the truth, or in yielding to it. His
mind is blinded and bound. Quietly rebuking these evil spirits stopping him
from being born again with an attitude of victory over the opposing spirits
will often bring swift release.

The Removal of Mountains


Serious obstacles often confront the servants of the Lord in ministry for the
bringing in of the kingdom. They seem as deep-rooted as the everlasting
hills, and as imposing in their bulk. They block the way to accomplishment
of desired ends. They shut out the vision ahead. They balk the
disheartened worker with their grim assurance of immobility. They seem to
laugh at his discomfiture and to mock his prayers. And, as the months and
years pass, and no change is seen in their contour, he comes often to
accept them as a necessary evil, and to modify his plans accordingly.
The Master has assured His servants that they need not continue as
obstacles to the progress of His work. The question of their removal is
one of authority.
"Ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into
the sea; and it shall obey you." The question involved is not that of an
imposing faith, but that of on all-sufficient Name The worker has no power
of himself to accomplish anything, but he is commissioned to wield the,
power of God. As he speaks to the mountain in the name of Christ, he
puts his hand on the dynamic force that controls the universe; heavenly
energy is released, and his behest is obeyed.
We feel they ought not to be. We realize that they are the working of the
enemy. We cry to God to rebuke the enemy, and to alter things. Through
the teaching of the Word, He replies: "My children, rebuke the enemy
yourselves. The authority over him is yours. Its responsibility I have
committed to you. I desire you to learn in these things to prevail. I have
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purposed a high and holy ministry for you in the coming age. This is for you
the time of testing and preparation. Be strong and of a good courage, and
none shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life."
Believers are gradually awaking to their high place of privilege in Christ,
and are assuming the responsibilities which it involves. "All authority hath
been given unto me in heaven and in earth." The Son of God became
incarnate, not merely that He might save men from their sins, but also that
He might bring man to that place of dominion (Over the works of God
which was planned in the counsels of eternity (Ps. 8).
God delights to delegate His power to men, when He can find believing and
obedient servants to accept and exercise it. So, when Mountains rise in
their way, the Lord commands His disciples to speak unto them and bid
them depart into the sea. He gives, no instruction to pray, although that is
understood. There is essentially the same (:bar,,(! as was given to Moses:
"You have asked Me to work; I have granted your request, but I choose to
do the work through you; speak to the obstacle before you in my name, and
it will obey." As we obediently speak to the Mountain before us, there may
seem to be no immediate response. But, as day by day, we maintain the
attitude of authority, knowing that we are commissioned to use the name
of our Lord, there will come a trembling, and a shaking, and removing, and
the Mountain will slide from its base, and disappear into the sea of
forgetfulness.
Binding the Enemy
"Our wrestling," the Apostle warns us, "is not against flesh and blood, but
against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of
this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies"
(Eph. 6:12, A.S.V.).
In the life of the Christian assembly, in the purity of its doctrine, in the
fellowship of its members, and in their individual bodies and circumstances,
subtle forces are working, with keen understanding and masterful direction.
The opposition is veiled, but it is real, and it is sometimes tremendous.
God is waiting for those whom He can trust and use, who will have the
discernment to foresee His steps and the faith to command His power.
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Authoritative intercessors are men and women, whose eyes have been
opened to the full knowledge. of their place in Christ. To them the Word of
God has become a battle chart on which is detailed the plan of campaign of
the hosts of the Lord. They realize that they have been appointed by Him
for the oversight of certain sections of the advance, and they have humbly
accepted His commission. Deeply conscious of their own personal
unworthiness and insufficiency, they yet believe God's statement
concerning their identification with Christ in His throne power.
Increasingly they realize that heavenly responsibility rests upon them for
the carrying forward of the warfare with which they have been charged.
Their closet becomes a council chamber from which spiritual commands
go forth concerning matters widely varied in character and separated in
place. As they speak the word of command, God obeys. His delight is in
such co-working. They have caught His thought concerning the method of
the advance of His kingdom. Through them He finds it possible to carry
forward purposes and to fulfill promises which have been long held back.

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