How to Use Your Authority as a Believer- Understand that we are in a spiritual battle

We are in a spiritual battle whether we are aware of it or not. We have to win in this battle all the time. It is not us who started this battle. We were born into it. We found it going on. But you need to choose on which side to belong. Regardless of which side you choose, you have to fight. If you have chosen God’s side, you have to win. But how can one win in this battle? Let us read Ephesians 6:10-12.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This scripture indicates that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. We are fighting against demonic powers. This means we are not fighting against people but instead spiritual forces that influence the people. The devil influences people on a daily basis to act the way they do and most of the time we do not recognize that. We just think it is just human, it is natural.

When a person is controlled or influenced by the devil, he is demonized according to the Greek language used to write the New Testament.  There is no such thing as levels differentiated by words like oppressed, depressed or suppressed. People around the world are being influenced, used, and controlled by the devil in varying degrees.

Tips that can help you win the spiritual battle

As we look at these important tips, understand that after you have won a certain fight, it does 

not mean it is over. The battle continues until Jesus comes back or until you die physically. Why? The enemy, the devil does not give up. He will keep on coming maybe with new tricks of deceive you.

1. Have a proper perspective about the battle

There is an abundance of demonic activity no matter where you are on earth. Some people in the West thought demons were only in the third-world country. Drop the view that things coming against your life are just normal or natural. Everything that happens good or bad has a spiritual influence behind it.

Developing a scriptural mindset will greatly affect the way you respond to them. You will get to understand that Satan can influence your colleagues at work, your neighbor, your friends, your spouse, and your circumstances to be against you. Note that the source is not the person doing it but the devil is behind it. The only thing this proves is that we are in a battle and the battle is not physical but spiritual. Things are not just as you see them. Something big is happening beyond what you see. Therefore, learn to respond in the best way.

Learn to forgive people who wrong you. Do not wait for them to come and ask for forgiveness. What if they do not come? Avoid venting anger and bitterness. That is what the devil wants you to do. Understand what the devil is trying to do against you.

2. Understand that Satan uses people

Matthew 16:16 says, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Here we see Peter being influenced by God to reveal who Jesus was. Then we move to verse 23 of Matthew 16 and we read:

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Here we see the same Peter who was influenced by God earlier on to reveal who Jesus was being influence by Satan. Jesus was explaining to His disciples about His coming crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Then Peter rebuked the Lord saying that such would not happen to Jesus. It appears that Peter did not get the point that Jesus was going to be resurrected. He thought it was a way of expressing his love for the Lord. He did not realize that such was against the eternal plan and will of God. Some people do what they do thinking it is right or good. They do not understand what is influencing them.

The Lord Jesus recognized that Satan was speaking through Peter and He rebuked him. It was against and inconsistent with God’s will. Probably Peter was shocked by such. We do need to rebuke the devil this way at times. But this does not mean you have to fight those who come against you. Be wise.

This shows us that there are and there will be times when the devil speaks to you using people. Satan will use people to get to you whether they are aware of it or not.

3. Recognize the source of every voice that speaks to you

Understand that both God and Satan want to speak to your life. Either of them may use people to get to you. Jesus discerned every voice that spoke to Him. Also learn to discern. The enemy will try different ways and people to steal, kill, and destroy you. If the enemy steals from you, once he is caught he should return what he stole seven-fold according to Proverbs 6:31, “But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.”

In order for the devil to work through someone, that individual has to cooperate. Satan cannot force anybody into doing something. He does not have that authority. Remember how he came against Eve in the Garden of Eden? He deceived her and she agreed without resistance. So she ate the forbidden fruit and also gave it to her husband Adam. Adam willfully decided to eat it. So he ate thus disobeying God and that is how mankind fell into sin.

There is a spiritual battle that is going on. Things do not just happen. Therefore, do not allow anything other than God to occupy your heart. You may be allowing evil in your life by harboring unforgiveness or bitterness. The devil likes such. These are some of the things Satan uses as inroads against you.

Whether you are aware or not, there is a war going on in your heart and mind. God wants to be in control. On the other hand, the devil also wants to be in control.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Pro 23:7 ).

Your thoughts become what you say and do. Remember that your actions are the greatest expression of your authority. There are two sources of influence and those are God and Satan. Of them, depending on whom you yield to, will influence, dominate, and rule you. So be in control as a believer. Do not allow anything contrary to God’s Word.