We read in Philippians 2:9-10 (Amplified), "Therefore, (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name." Verse 10 goes on, "that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." Verse 11 "And every tongue (frankly and openly) confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This name is the most powerful source of authority in the entire universe. We, as the Church, haven't (as a whole) really understood the importance of this until now. The devil's greatest fear is that the Church will finally get this revelation and begin to rise up in this authority and power. The name of Jesus is the God-given badge of authority in three realms: heaven, earth and under the earth. When someone in the family of God uses this name in faith, then everyone in these three realms pays attention.
We read in the Word of God about who we are and about the forces of darkness. We're intelligent enough to know what the words say, but we're not spiritual enough to really understand what the word means. We read in Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified), "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness, in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
The Word of God is very clear about who and what our enemy is. There are no other weaponry that's effective against this enemy except for spiritual weaponry. This is a battle against an outlaw spirit and his army of fallen angels. He knows what the Word of God says and he knows he's in violation of it, but he doesn't care. He's an outlaw spirit.
We have laws in this country against growing, selling and buying narcotics. Everyone know that it's against the law to do these things, but there are those who have no regard for the law. These outlaws will continue to violate the law and destroy lives until someone upholds the law and stops them. If they operate here, it's not the President's fault. He has declared it illegal and has delegated authority from the highest office in the land to stop it, but authority is of no use if we don't use it.
We've been given this authority by our Lord Jesus and it's ours to use in our lives for His glory. The power of His name is of no use to someone who doesn't believe in it. Mark 16:17 (Amplified) says, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages." Verse 18 continues, "They will pick up serpents and (even) if they drink anything deadly it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover."
These are all spiritual weapons against spiritual forces that are activated by those who believe in His name. These aren't doctors who lay hands on sick people (thank God for doctors), but that's not what this scripture said. It said "those who believe shall cast out demons by the power of His name." All of these attesting signs are spiritual in nature and are used against a spiritual enemy that will only yield to a believer in the power of His name.
These forces aren't flesh and blood and will not yield to flesh and blood. They will only obey the power of the spiritual force and the power of the name of Jesus. We somehow decided that because Jesus has defeated satan that the war is over. Even though he's been defeated, the devil won't quit. He knows what the Word says and he knows that he's operating against the law of God, but he doesn't care. If you don't enforce the law of the power of Jesus' name, then satan will still run rough-shod over you and make your life a mess. He no longer has the authority (given by Adam) to do this, but he refuses to stop unless you stop him. James4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you." How do you resist him if you don't believe he can move against you in the first place?
In Acts 3:16 (Amplified) Peter made the comment to the people about the man at the gates of the Temple when he said, "And His name, through and by faith in His name, has made whom you see and recognize well and strong."
Jesus' name and faith in His name is what we used when we called for salvation. No matter how hard he fought or how much he wanted too, the devil couldn't stop the new birth. We used His name and faith in His name and all the forces had to shut up. Where did we ever hear that Jesus' name only worked when we were saved? Did it somehow lose it's power after that? If the enemy had to back off and obey then, then doesn't he have to do so now? He didn't want you saved, but satan couldn't stop it. He doesn't want you healed, but he can't stop that either. The power of the name of Jesus in the lips of faith will make this outlaw spirit obey the Word.
When the Church understands who our Father really is and who the enemy really is, then things will change. We seem to have some kind of dilemma about this in the Church. Until we set this straight, we can't use faith in His name. If you don't know whether God is your problem or your answer, then how can you use faith in the name of Jesus to stop anything. Jesus said that, "My sheep know My voice." Without knowing who your enemy is, there can be no faith resistance against him. We seem to have been placed in a position by wrong teaching that God's still your problem. If we get sick, then it's God testing us. If we die early, then God took us to be an angel. If our job, children, marriage, health, our mind, or whatever comes whether good or bad, get into trouble, then we place it on the head of God. Why is it afterall this time that we can't tell God and the devil apart? Some even believe that the whole reason for the creation of the devil was just to test the Church.
Why are we so quick to believe that the biggest hindrance to our Christian walk is the very on that died so we could become Christians? Some believe that Jesus died so that they could be saved and then He'll try to push you hard enough to see if you will fail.
Jesus said that if we see Him, then we have seen the Father. Maybe you should spend more time watching Jesus. When did you see Him make someone sick? When did you see Him try to press someone so hard as to quit? When did you ever hear Him say that this sickness was God teaching them anything? Maybe we would have more faith in the power of His name if we knew who He is.
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