God's absolute authority

As children of God, born again by His Spirit, because His Spirit now lives in us, we possess God's authority.

Does that mean that we have absolute authority?  Obviously, not.

However, we are to call upon God's authority to win over evil.  Since God's authority is absolute - perfect and there is none higher - whenever we rebuke the enemy, Satan, invoking God's authority, the devil must flee.

Why some (most?) Christians do not utilize this power is because they mistakenly look at themselves instead of God. Of course if we look at ourselves, we know (or should know!) that we are no match for the devil.  Christians also look at their own sinfulness and think that that "lessens" their authority, or right to their God-given authority, over evil.

No wonder the world is in such a mess!  It starts personally, with each of us, If we are not taking authority over the devil and his work and schemes in our lives, how can we move beyond ourselves to help others?

Another mistake that some Christians make is that they feel it is prideful to think that we can "take authority" over the principalities that are always at work around us and toward us.  But again, it is not our own authority but God's.

The power and authority are not only from God, they are God!

There is no higher power, kids! 

So why do some battles seem to take so long to win?

Let's look at Daniel chapter 10 for some revelation on this: 

Key Details from Daniel 10:

• The Delay: A messenger angel was dispatched immediately when Daniel began praying, but was withstood for 21 days by the "prince of Persia" (a demonic entity).
• Michael's Intervention: Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help the messenger angel finish the battle and bring the answer.
• The Context: Daniel had been fasting and praying for three weeks, during which this intense spiritual battle took place.
• Future Warfare: The messenger angel notes that after this, he must return to fight the prince of Persia and then the prince of Greece, indicating ongoing spiritual conflict.

So we see how some spiritual battles can take time, are not instantly resolved.

This means that we are not to give up the fight!  This means that we are to keep looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith!  It's not that God's hands are ever tied (I can't stand when people use that to describe Almighty God!).  It's not that His power is for even one second diminished.  It is that there are very powerful strongholds in the world, and some in our lives, that have been there for centuries.  I know.  I wish it weren't so, either.  But that's just how it is for now, kids! But that doesn't mean we give up!

So we look to God.  We see and know Him as having, and being, Absolute Authority.  And we trust that the battles will eventually end, both in our lives personally, and throughout the world.

Press on, dear brothers and sisters in Christ!  God is worthy! God is able!  Take His authority over the devil, rebuke the devil when necessary, and move on in the power, grace, and love of Jesus!