Christianity is a radical life.
We began this life by exchanging our death for His life. Then as a Christian, He actually comes to live in and through us. He doesn’t just touch us on the shoulder and say: “I dub you to do what I did.” No, He says, “I come to be all that is needed in you. I come to accomplish My will through you.”
That, dear children of God, is a completely radical way of living. But we must allow Him to be the strong One within us. He must be the One that goes out to meet the foe… His name – His power.
However, nowadays, I hear a good deal of prayer that begins, “I come against this or that demonic power.” There is no recognition of whether that which is being “come against” is a demon or a prince, power or authority, (which hold higher rank). All are addressed in the same blanket form: “I come against” – the Christian – he or she – taking on the enemy – putting him or herself out in the forefront of battle. It is almost as though they say: “In my power I do this.”
Every few years the enemy drags the body of Christ into some new error. Then satan, being knowledgeable in the word and how to wield it – (remember how he used the word to tempt Jesus after the forty days and nights in the wilderness) has legal grounds to attack that person or group. He has legal right to afflict him or them – if he can trick them into acting against God’s plan.
For a while the body of Christ was bound and determined to wage war against the high demonic powers in mid-heaven. We even had huge conferences to scream at the devil. Most – if not all of those so engaged – that led those conferences were reduced and often disgraced. The enemy saw to that. Those so engaged stepped over legal bounds given to the body of Christ in one way or another and paid the price.
Those Christians that rose up to warn them, were shouted down for a while, by the body of Christ itself. They were shouted down until they began to see the consequences of stepping over into areas not allowed to us – of not allowing Jesus to be the One to fight the battles.
The statement: “I come against” may not seem as big as those conferences where thousands came together to scream at the devil and shake their fists at high ranking demons over cities and areas, but if you have any authority at all in the spiritual realm – the effect could be as devastating to you personally or your ministry, your family, your church or your friends.
One of the greatest truths that we need to know and indeed, have pounded into us again and again is that:
Christ died to pay the price for our sin/sins. He rose to the right hand of the Father and is given all power and authority to deal with what faces us on earth. If we accept Him as our savior and Lord, He will come to live within us and do ALL through us. ALL.
All that we do should be what he desires, in His name and in His power. Him, Him, Him – all the way.
We need to stop being like cavemen shaking our fists and screaming as we dance around a fire before a hunt. It may get our primitive blood up but it also opens some dangerous doors.
No – we need to be more precise and careful. If you have never seen the Japanese Classic ‘The Seven Samurai’, you should. The youngest was not well trained and jumped around a good deal. But there was a master swordsman among them. He was sparse in his actions, calculated, swift and accurate. It was not showy – but oh so deadly. It wasn’t like dancing around a fire. It was more like getting a job done.
I remember being with Bob Jones one time when he was delivering an afflicted person of a demon. He spoke to the invading spirit saying very naturally: “In Jesus name you are relieved from your assignment,” and the demon left, no shouting – no show. Like the master swordsman: sparse and deadly.
Jesus died to pass these tests for us. We do not need to say: “Please I’d rather do it myself.”
Really, it is much more fun to see the Lord move on our behalf. Nothing is more exciting than seeing God move.
For when I am weak, then I am strong in the strength of His might.
