My wife works at the cash office of Ross Clothing in downtown Seattle. Her job requires her to count thousands of dollars and then take a deposit to the bank that has so much money, a policeman walks with her for protection. One day she came home telling me this story: She was on her way to the bank with her deposit, the experienced police officer walking beside her. There was a young man standing on the sidewalk they were walking down. She said the policeman must have recognized him, or at least his type, because he just stopped and stared at the young man for a minute. Sheree said she thought he must have been some sort of troublemaker, because the policeman looked right at the young man and said loudly, “Leave!” The young man just stared for a few seconds. When he didn’t move, the officer repeated louder, “I SAID LEAVE!” With that, the young man turned and ran away never to be seen again. Immediately, we both recognized the spiritual implications of this story. You see, the picture painted with this incredible story was clearly Authority. The police officer didn’t have to call for backup. He didn’t have to pull his gun. He didn’t have to flex his muscles, show off his badge, or tell how strong he was. Everyone on the street recognized him as a man of authority. What made the young man run away at the command of one word was the fact that he knew this man has power, strength, and the entire Seattle Police Force at his disposal, if necessary. The officer knew he could walk with calm assurance and know that he has more than enough ability, and more than enough authority to do what needs to be done. My wife’s boss asked the policeman what he would do in the event of trouble. His response was, “Whatever it takes.” My wife says it’s amazing how polite people are as they walk down the street together. Everyone smiles and gives them a wide berth. At first, Sheree said she was nervous knowing she would have to walk to the bank with so much money. But now, she says she is totally calm knowing nothing is ever going to happen to her as long as her Authority stays with her.
I think you are getting the picture by now. When the seventy came to Jesus from their preaching the gospel of the kingdom, they rejoiced that the devils were subject unto them through the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 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 10:18-19). We have authority through the name of Jesus. We don’t have to flex our muscles, brag about our pedigree, or give our list of accomplishments in order to see God do great things through us. We simply have to pray or speak it in faith in the name of the Lord Jesus, and it shall be done. He wants to see us victorious over all the enemy’s devices. And, this will happen when God’s people starting exercising Spiritual Authority in their prayer lives and in their walk with God.
A Pastor friend of mine was telling me about an experience he had. He said he was sitting in his car by the water relaxing and trying not to let his troubles get to him. All of a sudden, a car came screeching to a halt right beside him with a man in the driver’s seat. Immediately afterwards, several police vehicles surrounded both vehicles and police officers jumped out of their cars with their guns drawn at the man in the car. My friend said he was completely surrounded and couldn’t get out if he wanted to. He even went on to say that one of the police cars was merely inches away from the back of his car. It was at this moment that God spoke to him and said, “When your problems are close to you, remember, my Authority is always closer.” Wow! What a revelation!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1a). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37).
Walk in Jesus, pray in faith, and exercise the Spiritual Authority God has given you.
