“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

This is my final instalment in this series on spiritual authority. Authority relates to the power to influence others, make decisions and sometimes include the use of control. God has given the church authority over the earth realm and although this was subjugated by the devil, Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross restored our seat of authority. Our seating is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. One of the most potent ways for us to exercise authority is through the spoken word. “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God watches over his words to perform it and angelic assistance moves to carry out our words, spoken in alignment with the will of God.

The prince of darkness also understands spiritual authority and the power in words. We should remember that our words are not empty and also remember the power in agreement. Paul’s final words in Ephesians spoke of putting on the full armour of God. These scriptures remind us that we are always at war. This is not a physical war that we can win in our own strength. The battle belongs to God and our responsibility is to understand spiritual authority, wear our full armour and remain battle ready. Our battle is against the kingdom of darkness which includes principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. We would need another blog or teaching series to explain, the different ranks within the kingdom of darkness.

While understanding this system is important, it is even more important to wear our full armour and maintain our spiritual standing. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14-15). We need the shield of faith to quench the darts of the wicked, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. In addition to our full armour, we need to pray always in the spirit with prayer and supplication. We need to pray for ourselves and for the body of Christ, as our prayers are powerful and effective. We pray through the Holy Spirit and also pray in our heavenly language (in tongues). ”Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Our prayers and activities on earth are sealed through the name and the blood of Jesus. God has given him a name that is above every other name and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10). The world and the kingdom of darkness fears the name of Jesus, because of the power and authority in his name. We cannot be afraid to make mention of his name and to call on him in our times of need. His name heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons and restores sight to the blind. We have no power without the name of Jesus and as we approach the throne of grace, we enter through the covenant of the blood. Jesus was in the beginning and he will return to receive the church at the end of this age.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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