Lesson 2 One Stronger Than He

     We've been discussing the believer's authority over the enemy.  When Jesus made the remark about one stronger than he (satan), He was speaking about Himself being stronger than satan.  He was the One who spoiled the strong,man's house and divided his goods.
     You and I have the authority that Jesus gave to us when He gave us His name.  After being made our sacrifice for all things and rising from the dead, Jesus made the statement in Matthew 28:18 (Amplified) that "All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given Me."  When we were saved we became joint-heirs with Jesus.  According to Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) , we share in His name and in His inheritance in the Father.  Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says that, "His name (which was given to us) is a name above every name."  Verse 10 says that "every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus."  That means that every being in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow at that name.  We are in Christ Jesus and according to Romans 8:1 (Amplified) as believers we have what He died (and rose from the dead) to deliver unto us.
     Jesus made a statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) that if anyone else had made, then it would have been more than anyone would have dared to believe.  Jesus declared that those who believed in Him would do the things that He (Jesus) did.  This would include having His authority over demon forces.
     Many Christians seem to be squeamish about using the name of Jesus for their own deliverance.  The only name you can use is His name.  Your name has no power in it to do anything.  In our own selves we have no authority over satan or our own sin.  We're totally dependent upon His name and authority.
     When Jesus was raised from the dead, it was as though you and I were raised up together with Him.  Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says, "And He raised us up together with Him (Jesus) and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
     So, we're in the place of authority over satan and his demon power by virtue of being in Jesus.  Does this mean that we can stop him from working tragedy on the earth?  No!  But, you can stop him from working in your life.
     Go with me to Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) and let's read what the Holy Spirit has to say about God's family here on earth.  Please, read the verses before verse 10, but let me preface it by saying that the mystery that the Holy Spirit wrote about was "Christ in us, our hope of glory."  Verse 10 says, "(The purpose is) many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
     This plan that God had in the beginning was that His children would rule with Him over everything.  Now let's look at Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified) where Paul says that this armor would make us "successful to stand against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil."  In Verse 12 he continues telling us that what we are in war against is demon forces.  Once more, Paul says in Verse 16 (Amplified) that "the shield of faith would quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one."
     These same principalities and powers Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:12 are the same powers he spoke about in Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified).
     God wants the Church to walk in the name of Jesus and to spoil the strongman's house just as He did.  He is the one who is stronger.
     Notice! This shield of faith that quenches all the missiles of the devil, is just that; a shield of faith.  What if you are a believer and you don't have faith against the devil?  Is it then a shield of faith?  Does this shield work if you have no faith in it?
     This doesn't mean you're not saved, but only your faith is limited by what you believe.  James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God.  Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you."  The only thing that will cause him to move is your understanding and faith in your understanding about your authority in the name of Jesus.  Without faith over the devil in the name of Jesus, you have no shield to cover you against him.