Scripture:
Luke 10:17-24 NKJV
[17] Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” [18] And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. [20] Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” [21] In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. [22] All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [23] Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; [24] for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
Observation:
I was studying the Bible a little bit last night and these verses were brought to my attention. As I had the opportunity to read them a few times I was reminded of a word study I had done several years ago. I can’t remember the exact reason I did it but for some reason I had made up my mind to study the words power, and authority. I guess I just wanted to know the difference. What I found changed my life. You see for years I had been confused by the enemy. He had me believing that he was incredibly powerful, and honestly tgat is no lie, but today I’m going to open up the scripture to you so that you can start living in the victory that you have been given. At first I didn’t know why the Holy Spirit wanted to use these verses all together, however that has been revealed to me now so lets take a look at what is being said. At the very beginning of this chapter Jesus had sent out 70 men two by two, HE sent them into the areas that HE was about to travel to, giving them some very important instructions, don’t take anything with you, just what you need for the day. A worker is worth his wage. Or in other words go till the land it’s time for a harvest that GOD will provide, but workers are needed. As they return with excitement over how the enemy had obeyed them, I see them with a light in their eyes that had not been there before. I mean can you imagine walking up to someone you know has some serious spiritual oppression with the authority needed to defeat that and allow them to see the victory that they were made to experience. The overwhelming joy that would come from that would be very difficult not to get excited about. As they were sharing stories with one another I could see Jesus listening to what was being said, and seeing an opportunity to teach HIS men. You see HE saw things that they had not seen. Watching Satan being cast down from heaven had to be an unforgettable moment. Seeing the conflict that took place and why he had to go. You see Satan wanted the one thing that only GOD could give. He wanted authority, the power that he had was just not enough for him, his pride had gotten too big, he had to go. So as Jesus was listening to the men and how excited they were. HE decided to explain a few things to them, yes you have been given authority and that important, I don’t want to take anything away from that however,that’s not the most important thing here, what’s important is that your name has been written in the lambs book of life, here’s what I believe HE was saying. Yes you have authority to trample over serpents and scorpions, but stay humble and remember that you are mine. I can only imagine the conflict that took place in heaven that day. As Lucifer’s pride rose up in him. He wanted something that he just couldn’t have and ultimately it cost him everything. As he was cast down to the earth he still had an immense amount of power. Taking a third of the angels with him. That’s the lesson here: there is a difference between power and authority. The word study I did several years ago revealed the difference to me and I want to share it with you. The word power mines: having the ability to. You see Satan has the ability to do all kinds of stuff. However he has no authority. The word authority means: ability with permission. That’s what the LORD gave to the 70 that HE sent out HIS prayer that follows shows us what to rejoice in. HE was amongst students that had just begun to learn, students that picked up on what HE was teaching better than those who had been studying the scriptures for years, HIS prayer of gratitude to the Father for revealing these things to them was short and simple. Speaking a blessing over them and allowing them to know that what they had seen and been a part of was sought after by prophets and kings that never got to see it or hear it.
Application:
I want to tell you something that the enemy doesn’t want you to know. Something that can put to rest all the things that have continued to drag you back into the pit that you have been pulled out of. Rejoice because of your salvation. It comes with authority over the enemy. Once that authority has been experienced it can become something to be prideful about, and we can lose sight of what’s really going on. It’s not to be forgotten about but it can’t be our focus. The authority that believes our giving is something that isn’t taught in a lot of churches. A lot of pastors teach more on grace and I can see why. When we understand that without grace we don’t have a chance we will stay inside that grace. Therefore remaining humble, but can i tell you something? The authority you have been given does not have to puff you up. The enemy doesn’t want you to be free from sin. But victory comes when we take authority over his power. He would like you to be deceived, he would like you to believe that the sin that so easily ensnares us leaves us with no hope. His power is deception. You don’t have to live like that. Jesus did not come to leave us trapped in our sin, HE came to set us free from it. Stop allowing the enemy to deceive you. The salvation you have been given comes with authority over him. You are no longer a slave to sin. You have been given authority over it. Now let’s make this simple. I want to give you two words that will open up that authority to you, the words are simple but very powerful. Are you ready for them…. They are yes and no, two words of authority. Next time the enemy waves a temptation in front of you tell him “NO” tell him to go back to hell where he belongs. Submit to GOD and resist the devil and he will flee. He only stays because you allow him to. You have given him permission to. His power is no match for the authority your salvation has given you. Now I have to tell you this because I don’t want you to be misled… he will not stop trying picking up our cross daily is another key. You will have to show him that you know how you are in Christ. Your salvation has set you free from sin. It has given you the spiritual blessing of authority, use it.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you are good, and your grace has done more for us than you could ever think. You have set us free from sin. This morning I pray that we see ourselves the way that you see us. We know that when you look at us you see a reflection of your son. The same Spirit that brought HIM out of the grave lives inside of us. We have been given power from on high. Power that comes with the ability to overcome every tool of the enemy. Help us to remember that and not forget that our name has been written in the book of life. We do not want to be trapped inside of our sin, and today we know that we don’t have to stay where you found us. You are so much bigger than sin, as we say yes to you, send the devil running. Help us not to get puffed up with pride over the authority you have given us yet not forget that we have it at the same time. Take this SOAP and do what only you can do with it. Its in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.