The Authority of The Believer

The authority of the believer has been exhibited from the Old Testament through the New Testament. It is the posession of every true follower of Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament, Moses used the staff of God- a visible symbol of divine authority and power. He used it in obedience as the Lord directed. The most well known use of God’s staff was when Moses parted the Red Sea by holding it over the water. Today, the staff or rod of God is the Word- God’s perfect Truth. For the born again Christian, the rod of God or the Word should be the foundation of every prayer because God’s Word has power and authority.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”(Ex 14:15-16 NLT)

The Journey Out of The Wilderness

During Israel’s journey out of the wilderness, there were many battles. A notable battle occured against Amalek, a strong leader of seasoned fighters. But God had a plan. He instructed Moses to send Joshua to lead chosen men into battle. Then, while Joshua and his men fought in the valley, Moses, Aaron and Hur, were instructed to go up a hill to overlook the battlefield.

Moses knew that the rod of God represented the Lord’s power and authority, and that Israel’s victory depended on the Lord, not on military strength alone. He noticed that when he held the rod up high, the Israelites prevailed in battle. But when Moses grew tired and lowered his hands, Amalek gained an advantage.

Seeing this, Aaron and Hur stepped in and supported Moses’ hands, holding the rod high until sunset and Israel won the victory.

 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”(Ex 17:9-13)

The Old Testament: A Powerful Model of How To Fight

All Old Testament stories have teaching moments for us today. The Israelites fought battles with people in order to take hold of their promised land. We on the other hand, fight spiritual battles to take hold of our promised blessings. By some counts there are over three thousand blessings to be had. But in order to receive them we have work to do.

Moses held up the powerful rod/staff of God. We need to speak the powerful Word of God, which is our authority over all principalities and powers in high places. Satan and his demons do not have the final say, God’s Word out of the mouth of a Christ follower has the authority if we pray without ceasing.

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”(Luke 18:1)

The Lord Is My Shepherd: His Rod and Staff Comfort Me

The Lord tells us in His Word that He is our shepherd. This analogy is used because sheep only listen to the voice of their shepherd. They move only when he/she speaks. This beautiful analogy should teach us to listen only to our shepherd the Lord Jesus Christ, and model our life after His. If we do, we will know the authority we have with the Word of God.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

God’s Promises: Our Guiding Staff and Our Powerful Rod of Authority

When we read Scripture, we notice that God has given us promises to claim. These promises guide our lives in order to protect us.

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”(Ps 91:4 NLT)

For example, the verse below shows that God listens to those who are devoted to Him and seek to do His will.

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.”(John 9:31)

We can think of God listening to our petition almost like a court case. Except, instead of God judging us as to how much we believe the Word, our hearts judge us. “If our hearts do not condemn us we can ask and receive.” (1 John 3:20) If our heart does condemn us we simply ask for forgiveness and we are back in right standing with God and can ask for our prayer request.

As we remain in Christ seeking to follow His teachings, and repenting when we fall short, we align ourselves with His will. This then gives us the faith to believe we will receive what we ask because we believe God’s Word to order our life in accordance with it.

For myself, my prayer life took on a greater power when I began examining my daily life at the end of each day. I ask the Lord to call to mind my sins so I can consider them and then repent.

Unless we choose to be in the center of God’s will, our prayer life will be lifeless. If we choose not to follow the “Author of Life” why would our prayers be answered? If however, we surrender to our Lord we will overcome Satan- the author of our problems- with the testimony of God’s Word.

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony.” (Rev 12:11)

Mindset Shift By Reading Scripture

As we read or pray Scripture based prayers, our thoughts, attitudes and desires- essentially our mindset- is being molded to align with the Word of God.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”(2 Cor 10:5)

Once we come into agreement with the Word of God and actually yield to it, we can be confident that we believe it deeply enough for our prayers to be effective. We become confident that we will receive the bible promises we are standing on.

How We Use God’s Word To Fight Our Battles

The Israelites fought literal battles against other nations, engaging in physical warfare through human strength. Today, our battles look different. We face struggles in relationships, health, finances, and our spiritual and psychological lives. Therse are batttles we must confront in order to walk in the abundant life Jesus secured for us at the cross. Though these challenges manifest in the natural, they originate in the spiritual realm, rooted in the powers of darkness. Therefore they must be fought in the spiritual realm through spiritual means.

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.”(Eph 6:12)

When we speak the Word=Jesus=God, the enemy cannot hack our prayer. He cannot stop it, it is out in the heavenlies and it’s resonating in our Spirit in order to bring about the prayer request as soon as possible. We must ask “In Jesus” name- meaning in a position of alignment with the Word of God and then God guarantees an answer.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”(John 14:13 NIV)

Who Can Use The Rod of God?

Who is privileged enough to use the powerful rod of God. In other words, His Word and His authority to fight off the enemy? All Christians who believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then, all we need to do is find a verse of Scripture that pertains and pray it to God. Just like Jesus said “It is written…” and then he quoted a verse of Scripture. We are commissioned to use Jesus’ authority to overcome all powers of the enemy. This will stop Satan from harming us permanently. (Luke 10:19)

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”(Eph 6:18)

To pray in the Spirit means that our prayers are guided, motivated and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It means to pray according to the Will of God- which is the Bible.

The Rod= The Authority of Heaven

The authority of heaven is unseen, it’s spiritual and it’s powerful. Our tongue forming the Words of God is the connection between heaven and earth. This sets in motion the Holy Spirit, who combines with these holy Words. The only thing that can stop them from coming to fruition is willful disobedience or giving up on prayer.

The Authority Is A Weapon For Our Families

By aligning our life with Scripture and standing in authority against the power of darkness, we can build a stronger more peaceful foundation for our family. A family that exhibits unity, wisdom and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. A family that honors and obey’s God’s Word. (for more on that click here)

Food For Thought,

Lisa