EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Tuesday 16th July 2024
“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.” Luke 10:19 (KJV)
As a child of God, you have been authorized to resist the devil. Stop putting up with just anything. Open your mouth and exercise your God-given authority.
James 4:7 tells us to, “…Resist the devil, and he will flee…” (KJV) because you have authority. You are God’s authorized agent here on earth. You can open your mouth and make a decree, which will be established. Job 22:29.
In Luke 10, Jesus gathered seventy people and paired them up to go into different cities and represent Him in those cities. He gave them some instructions to adhere to during their journey, such as, they shouldn’t take money, and so on. He also told them to heal the sick in the different cities. In verse 16, Jesus said that whoever hears the seventy hears Him.
The Bible tells us in verse 17 that these seventy men came back with so much joy because of their experience in the cities. They exclaimed, “…Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Luke 10:17 (NKJV). Their experience was completely out of this world. They had seen Jesus perform mighty miracles, and deliver oppressed people, but they didn’t expect to have the same experience. And so, they were filled with joy and excitement because they had the same results Jesus had.
Jesus’ response to the seventy showed that He expected nothing less. In fact, He expected them to have these results. He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18 (NKJV).
Child of God, it’s time for you to arise and begin to resist the devil in whatever area he is rearing his ugly head. God expects that you should have proof to show your faith in Him. He expects you to give a black eye to the enemy. He doesn’t expect you to walk around defeated and accepting whatever the enemy throws your way. No! Stand your ground!
Further Reading: Luke 10:1-20
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 16-17; Evening- Acts 20:1-16