Spiritual Authority. By Dr. Dave Madenberg

Picture this, you are awakened at three am by a loud crash in the kitchen. You jump out of bed and run to the kitchen to see what the noise is all about. You shake as you gaze upon this ugly, evil looking man standing inside your home after breaking down the door. You see glass and wood shattered on the floor, pots and pans strewn all over the room as this robber gives you a wicked, sardonic smile. He then points at you telling you he intends to rob you of all that you have in your home and then plans to kill you, your spouse, your children and even your beloved pet. You shake in fear but remember your Dad gave you a handgun that you put in a drawer by your bedside stand. You run and grab the gun and point it at the robber, but then you realize you are totally unfamiliar with the weapon and have no idea how to use it. You intended to learn but just didn't find the time to shoot and practice with it. You stand there helpless, as the thief just looks at you and gives you a loud, evil laugh before he proceeds to kill, steal and destroy all that you posses and love.

Does this sound familiar? The devil is that boastful, arrogant, evil creature in the kitchen who longs to harm you and your loved ones, to take away everything that means something to you, including the joy and peace God gave you as a Believer. Satan's mission is simple:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Isn't this, in reality, exactly what the devil does to all those, including believers, who do not know how to use the Spiritual Weapons and Spiritual Authority God has given us? Did we ever take the time to appropriate the necessary skills to defeat the enemy of our souls using our spiritual weapons?

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

No, our Heavenly Father has obviously not given us handguns with which we can war against Satan and his minions; but He has provided believers with Spiritual Armor and a Sword!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:10-17.

The sword of the Spirit is the spiritual handgun given to us by our Heavenly Father, it is the only offensive weapon we are given. . .the Sword is "His Word". The remaining pieces of the armor are for defense and protection. We go on the attack with 'the sword' as Jesus did in the desert, quoting the Word of God against the devil while being tempted.

May we as good soldiers of the cross, ready ourselves in the battle of life, lifting our Sword and donning our Spiritual Armor to attain the Victory as we posses the Spiritual Authority God has given us.