Thoughts for Life: #89 The Anointing Confers Spiritual Authority

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- The Spirit enables you to exercise the authority in prayer which you have as a child of God (Eph 3:12).

This includes confident boldness in coming to the throne of grace and a holy confidence and boldness in claiming the promises of God (Heb. 4:16; 10:19-22).(Google image, Man praying in pew).

We have a tremendous responsibility to intercede for our people and to use our authority in prayer for them again and again.

The anointing enables you to use your authority in resisting Satan. The shepherd must defend the flock of God. Christ gave us authority to overcome all Satan's power (Luke 10:19). He gave His disciples authority to drive out demons and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Today this is not our major ministry, though it is needed in many mission situations and in facing the occult. We need not run from situations which suddenly confront us. God the Spirit may at any time use you to rebuke Satan, to claim the authority of Christ.

At times He leads us to resist Satan strongly and all his powers of darkness (James 4:7). God's Word promises that then the devil will run from us. We are to resist him, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:9).

The Spirit confers great authority in using the name of Jesus whether in prayer (John 14;13-14; 15:16; 16:23-27) or in confronting demons (Mark 16:17). He gives us authority to give the command of faith (Matt. 17:20).

In fact, He gives us authority to do everything in the name of Jesus (Col. 3:17). Satan fears that Name. Let us use it wisely but authoritatively.

We do not minister on our own; we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), fellow workers of God (1 Cor. 3:9); 2 Cor. 6:1). When we proclaim God's Word we do it in the name of God. When we offer the forgiveness of sins through Christ we do it in the name of God. When we minister to God's people we do so in the name of God. The anointing gives us a love and an authority beyond our own.

5. The anointing clothes with God's power. Micah testified, "I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD . . . and with might" (Mic. 3:8). Jesus commanded His disciples (both the apostles and the laity and both men and women) to delay the beginning of their witness and ministry and wait on God "until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

Thomas Payne, British writer at the turn of the century, attributes the great results of the ministry of George Whitefield not primarily to the effect of his sermons as being that extraordinary, but rather to the spiritual tone and powerful anointing as he preached.

A close relationship exists between the anointing and the empowering of the Spirit. The anointing usually includes to some degree the empowering of the Spirit—yet it includes much more. Divine enabling involves guidance, assistance in prayer, illumination, the reminding, restraining, and sealing ministries of the Spirit.

On the other hand, the empowering of the Spirit is available for much more than anointing. There is empowering for holy living, for overcoming temptation, for imparting courage, for strength to suffer in Christ's name—even unto death at times, for general suffering, and for militant, mountain-moving faith.

God gives us power both to be and to do. Power to do is more often related to anointing; power to be is more often related to grace. I discussed the empowering of the Spirit in chapters 4-13.

[See some of my posts on his discussing the empowering of the Spirit]:

Do You Long for Power?
The "Upon-Ness" of the Spirit
The Hand of the Lord Upon You
The All-Essential Power
It Takes Power to Extend the Kingdom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God

#89 The Anointing Confers Spiritual Authority
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 268- 270) ZondervanPublishingHouse

Praying man's hands

Father, thank You for the enabling power of prayer authority we have as children of Yours.
Help us come boldly to the throne of grace, and to have confidence that we can claim Your promises.
At times, we are to resist Satan strongly against his powers of darkness; may we stand firmly in our faith that You will help us.
We're to pray for our pastors and leaders to prepare their messages to have a spiritual tone and powerful anointing as they preach. Help us also, as we participate in some form of service to Your people.
Empower us for holy living, to overcome temptation, to impart courage, and to suffer in Christ's name; if need be.
We pray this in the name of Jesus for Your honor and glory. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

2 Tim 4: 7-8 a "I have fought the good fight. I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there
is in store for me the crown of righteousness which
the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me."

Rom. 12:2 (NLT)"Don’t copy the behavior and customs
of this world, but let God transform you into a new
person by changing the way you think. Then you will
learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and
pleasing and perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) " 'For I know the plans I have for
you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "

Today's popular post-

#94 Persevere till You "Pray Through"

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: During my college years one of my fellow students was out witnessing in a slum area one cold night. As he witnessed to a drunk outside a tavern door, the derelict said,

"Oh, yes! It is all right for you to stand there in your warm coat and talk about Jesus. What has Jesus ever done for me?"

Today's quote:

~ Sharon Jaynes- I just love miracles. Don’t you? I love reading about times when God mysteriously and supernaturally intervenes in someone’s life—times when what was impossible with man became a reality with God. But almost every time, God performed a miracle in the Bible, He required men and women to participate—to put their foot down.

· Build an ark.
· Lift your staff.
· Fill your jug.
· Gather jars.
· Make a cake.
· Blow a trumpet.
· Give a shout.

Jesus echoed his Father’s cadence in the New Testament.

· Take up your pallet.
· Cast your nets.
· Stretch out your hand.
· Wash off the mud.
· Look in the fish’s mouth.
· Roll away the stone.
· Stand up straight.
· Go and tell.

Yes, God does miracles. And in every one of the above-mentioned marvels, God’s power followed someone’s obedience. The key to experiencing the abundant life of relationship with Christ is obedience, and most people don’t even like the word. But it is the pathway to the faith you long for."

From- It’s Time to Put Your Foot Down by
Sharon Jaynes

Upcoming posts-

#90 The Anointing Places God's Seal Upon You

11th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

The Tsunami Warning
13th- Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft

#91 The Anointing is for you, If . . .
16th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#92 You Must be a Person of God
18th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel