Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Victory Through God's Presence, Prayer, and SurrenderSample

Intimacy Unlocks Authority

Spiritual authority flows from intimacy with God. We don’t earn it by religious effort, spiritual performance, or reciting some secret formula. We receive it through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Luke 10:19, Jesus tells his disciples, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy” (NLT). Interestingly, the disciples hadn’t asked for power. They hadn’t begged to know some mystical secret way to control the spirit realm. They had simply committed to follow Jesus. And as they followed, they grew in relationship with Jesus and began to share his heart for the world. The authority he gave them was so they could carry out his mission on earth.

That same authority is available to us today as part of our inheritance in Christ. We are not powerless, passive victims. Instead, in Christ we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) who can walk in the victory that flows from knowing Jesus intimately and living in the reality of our union with him.

Jesus emphasized this in John 15:5 (NLT): “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Our authority comes from abiding in Christ. The more we walk in communion with him through prayer, worship, surrender, and obedience, the more we understand who He is and who we are in him.

That understanding affects us in two powerful ways. First, it brings humility. We realize that it isn’t our effort that gives us authority, it’s Jesus’ gift. James 4:7-8 links humility and spiritual power. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (NLT).

Second, that understanding brings confidence. Because we are in Christ, Satan must retreat. 1 John 4:4 tells us that the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

How connected are you to the life of Jesus? Is your relationship with him growing in intimacy? It’s worth the time and effort! As you draw closer to him, you will see the fruit of that in increased humility and confidence. You will be more aware of your authority in Christ and able to wield it effectively to resist Satan’s schemes.

Reflection Questions

1. How connected do I feel to the life of Jesus? What distractions or hindrances are keeping me from being even closer to him?
2. Are there any unsurrendered areas in my life right now?
3. Do I see the twin fruits of humility and confidence present in my life? When and where do they appear? Are there situations where one or both are missing, and what might the Spirit be asking me to do to grow in those areas?