You are powerful over the enemy. 1 John 4:4 ESV says “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
When Jesus was on the earth, He gave His followers power over the demonic realm. Any Christian has more power than an evil spirit, because the Spirit of the Living God is inside of us! “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” Luke 10:17 ESV
Jesus said we would do greater works than He did: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 ESV Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send His Spirit to reside in us, and He would never leave us nor forsake us.
Because Christians don’t know the authority they have in Christ, they allow the enemy to torment them, lead them into sin, and deceive them. The primary gateway for the enemy is your mind, but he also works through your emotions. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 The key in that verse is to submit or yield to God at all times. Open to Jesus and allow Him to lead you. He will give you supernatural strength to get through your situation.
One day last summer, I was allowing the enemy to discourage me because of my unresolved circumstances. I had no energy whatsoever, and my daughter was wondering if I was going to get out of bed. I felt that I didn’t have enough strength to continue going through the motions of life. No, I was not suicidal. I just had nothing left. I had metaphorically splatted to the floor after giving everything I had, and I’ve lived this way for a couple of years.
The phone rang, and it was my husband. He said that there was a work picnic today, and I was expected to attend with the kids. Plus, I always brought banana bread for his boss. I looked at the clock and there was only one hour before I had to leave. I hadn’t showered. I had no energy. I cried out, “Jesus, please give me the strength to live through another day.”
Fortunately I saw three soft bananas on the counter. The odds of that happening are slim, because if we buy bananas, they all get eaten right away unless we were planning to make banana bread, and we weren’t. I would not have had time to go to the grocery store to buy bananas. I found my son who I’ve trained to make banana bread, and he got started on it while I jumped in the shower.
I arrived at the work party with my kids at the correct time, and I had supernatural strength to be the life of the party. This is impossible. But God strengthened me. I didn’t have swollen eyes from crying. I looked normal and full of life. That’s because Jesus is my life.
Over and over, God has gotten me through so many difficult situations, and I know He will get me through this one. I will ask God each day what He wants me to do, and I will do it.
Don’t forget, you are powerful over the enemy. Don’t let him discourage you!
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My daughter and I created the artwork for this series from the course {aff} “You are a Masterpiece” by Alicia Gratehouse. If you love to do art and are discovering who you are in Christ, this is a great art course for you!
Tags: authority, Christian Living, prayer, Regaining Your Identity, spiritual warfare
I truly wish that more people understood just how powerful they truly are. So many do not walk in the power & authority that we are given from God. Great post!
Thanks. I’m glad that God has equipped us with everything we need to overcome the enemy!
Thinking of 1 John 4:4 when I first saw this post – He is greater!
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Amen!
Thank you for this timely post. The enemy was pushing against me last week through disturbing and distressing dreams about my relationships and self-worth. They continued for a few nights until I prayed to be released from them. I asked for God to intercede on my behalf to give me the power and strength to fight the thoughts even within my dreams. I have slept much better since then.
I have a friend who prayed the same thing, that God would give her power inside her dreams to take control of the situation and not be tormented by the enemy.
This was a promise I had to claim over my life several years ago. It wasn’t easy, but the enemy did NOT win! What a great reminder that the Victory is ours in HIM!! Praise be to the Lord!!
When we claim God’s promises, they come to fruition in our lives. God’s Word will never fail, and His timing is perfect.
I needed to hear this today. I’ve let discouragement set in and that is not from God. It comes and goes so quickly but it’s been hovering around and I need to run to Jesus with it. He is greater than anything that comes our way.
How cool that you had just what you needed for the banana bread and that God once again showed his mighty strength.
Discouragement is often directly from the enemy, and it feels like a cloud. If you resist, it will flee from you. Playing praise music is one of the easiest ways to break out of discouragement.
Yes, we all need these reminders! So often the enemy gets us down so we need to stand on truth. Just today my kids and I were reading Psalm 34:7 where God says angels of the Lord encamp around those who fear Him – the ward off darkness for us. Ah, so amazing!
Oh, I love that verse!
In this season of my life, I feel exactly like you did. I don’t think I can make it through another day (I’m not suicidal); I’m just physically and emotionally drained from everything life has thrown at me. But your words and His Words have given me encouragement to keep going!
When we allow ourselves to do something that refreshes us and gives us energy (whether it be art, a walk by the river, listening to music), then we can start becoming less weary. I think our modern life is too draining because we do too much.
Yes and amen! His resurrection power working through us gives us the authority over the enemy’s tactics.
Yes, Jesus won the authority for us through the cross!
LOL! My mind wants to follow this… “The key in that verse is to submit or yield to God at all times.” But I am prone to wander. So thankful for Grace!
God’s grace is beautiful, and I wish more people knew that they can abide in the Vine. Jesus would not have commanded us to abide always if it wasn’t possible.