The Authority of the Believer
I had a dream recently. It was cinematic and strange but I vividly remember saying in the dream; “When I wake up I need to warn everyone!” (It is wild I knew that I was asleep.) I wasn't desiring to warn people out of fear, I wanted to warn them so they would be equipped. My dream detailed chaos and demonic activity pervading our world but believers don’t have to be afraid. I wasn’t scared in the dream. I was aware that what I was encountering was a force God gave all believers authority over.
The Bible says:
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As the world becomes dark our light as believers will shine brighter. As a body of believers, we don’t seem to walk in the fullness of this fact. We walk around as if we don't have favor or authority over the enemy. Sometimes we live as if we aren't a chosen people. Yet, we shine with the good news because we know of God's grace, we shine with the authority given to us through the Holy Spirit, and we shine when we live lives that are pleasing to God countering the evils in our culture.
Romans 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Matthew 5:14-16“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The forces I encountered in my dream were bearers of darkness and destruction. They tried to overtake me and acted unmoved when I called on Jesus’s name. What God shared with me was this: Believers call on the name of Jesus because his name has power but they don’t fully walk in the authority they have as a believer. It is one thing to know his name, it's another to acknowledge and walk in its power!
The Word says:
Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
So ..How do you become an authoritative believer?
Utilize God’s word daily! Allow scripture to inform you of the rights, privileges, and power you have as God’s child. Make the Bible the foundation for your belief system and worldview!
Let go of condemnation. You are righteous ( in right standing), holy, and pleasing to God because you’ve accepted his son. This gives you confidence against the enemy. Be free of condemnation because it stifles you.
Do not dwell on sin but acknowledge areas of your life out of alignment with God. This closes any door open to the enemy. Give your struggles to God and move on because we are not dwelling in condemnation.
Close the door to fear. Literally renounce it and choose faith. Say, “ Let the faith of Christ rise up in me!”
Increase your prayer life. You can literally talk to God all day. Include the Holy Spirit in everything and watch how much more you begin to hear!
Lastly, surround yourself with a body of believers!! You need a Christian community.