In the Christian walk, there are moments when we question our ability to face spiritual battles, especially when confronted with life’s challenges. Yet, the truth is that God has granted believers authority to resist the devil and overcome obstacles in life. The Lord has not promised to intervene for us without us doing our part. He has empowered us with the authority to stand against the devil’s schemes, and this is a power that we must learn to wield.
We are often told that the Lord will intervene, but Scripture shows us that we are the ones called to resist the devil. James 4:7 clearly says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is not a passive command—it’s an active one. We are not meant to sit idly by while the devil wreaks havoc in our lives. Instead, we must stand firm in faith and resist him.
The Apostle Peter affirms this in 1 Peter 5:8-9, where he writes, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” Notice, the enemy seeks to devour those whom he may, but there are those he may not. This implies that our resistance—our stand in faith—determines whether or not the enemy has access to our lives. Therefore, it is essential for us to recognize our authority and resist the devil.
This authority does not only pertain to spiritual matters. We see this authority reflected in our health, our homes, and our relationships. Diseases and afflictions are often the tools the enemy uses to destroy lives, but we are not helpless. Jesus demonstrated this during His earthly ministry, casting out demons and rebuking sickness and disease. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we repeatedly see Jesus using His authority to rebuke the works of the devil and set people free.
For example, when Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever, Jesus didn’t pray to the Father for healing—He rebuked the fever and it left her. Jesus didn’t wait for divine intervention. He took authority over the situation. We should adopt this same approach, using the power given to us in Christ. Instead of passively waiting for God to heal us, we should rise up and resist the enemy, commanding disease to leave in the name of Jesus.
Standing in Faith
The challenge many face today is a lack of understanding about the authority they’ve been given. Many people live in defeat, believing that they have no power over the devil or the troubles in their lives. This is far from the truth. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are not only forgiven but empowered to stand against the forces of darkness. We are made more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37).
But how often do we rely on our own understanding or feelings? We may talk about symptoms, fears, and what others have experienced, forgetting that there is a spiritual realm where our authority holds power. The enemy thrives on confusion, disease, and destruction. When we face challenges, we must recognize them for what they are: not random events, but spiritual attacks meant to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil is behind these afflictions, and he must be resisted with authority.
Consider the example of Brother Smith Wigglesworth, who once saw a woman trying to get her dog to leave the train depot. The dog refused to obey, wagging its tail in defiance. The woman finally shouted, “Get! Get back to the house!” And the dog obeyed. Brother Wigglesworth saw this as a parallel to how we must deal with the devil. It’s not about being loud or forceful—it’s about meaning what we say and believing in the power of our words. When we resist the devil with conviction, he must flee.
This truth was emphasized by Kenneth E. Hagin in his book, I Believe in Visions. He shares how the Lord gave him insight into the anointing to heal and cast out demons. One such instance involved a man with tuberculosis of the spine. The man had been declared beyond medical help, but when Brother Hagin laid hands on him, he recognized the presence of an evil spirit oppressing the man’s body. Hagin commanded the spirit to leave in the name of Jesus, but doubt crept in. The man’s condition didn’t improve right away, and Brother Hagin, unknowingly acting in unbelief, questioned whether the command had worked.
But when Hagin asked the man to try bending again, the man still couldn’t move. Hagin laid hands on him again and repeated the command. Finally, after feeling the anointing manifest again, he commanded the spirit to leave for a third time. This time, the man’s body was healed. Hagin realized that even the smallest trace of doubt could hinder the manifestation of the power of God. Faith is essential. If we waver, we give the enemy room to operate.
This is a key lesson in understanding authority: the power lies in our belief. If we truly believe that the enemy has no place in our lives, we must act accordingly. Just because we don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean the command hasn’t worked. We must stand firm, confident in the authority given to us, and trust that the devil has no choice but to leave when we resist him in faith.
When we understand our authority, we can speak to mountains and see them moved. We can speak to sickness and command it to leave. We are not helpless; we have been equipped with the power to resist the devil and walk in victory. The authority given to us through Christ is a powerful tool, and we must learn to wield it effectively, trusting in God’s Word and standing firm in faith. The victory is ours, but we must stand in the power and authority of Christ to see it manifest.
Prayer Request Page: Lorna and Tony would be honored to pray for your healing personally. Let us stand in agreement with you today.
A Gift of Healing: Discover these 2 chapters from our book, designed specifically to boost your faith and help you receive God’s promises.
A Surprise Healing: Read this encouraging account written by Lorna that describes a surprise healing, when she prayed for someone.
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