Spiritual Authority - Faith and Obedience

Hi Friends, 

The Lord gave me a vision this past week about prayer, and why some prayers do not seem to get answered.  We reason that there must be some sort of hindrance, something that keeps the prayer from reaching the throne room of God.  So, I am writing about what the Bible tells us about the hindrances to our prayers, and what we have learned through our personal experiences and from others’ testimonies.

The Vision - The Door

I saw a door with a pair of pants hanging from the handle.  The pants fell off the handle and onto the floor.  As I tried to open the door, the pants became stuck, and kept the door from opening.  

This doesn’t seem like a really difficult problem.  In reality, all one needs to do is bend down, grab the pants, pull them out of the way, and open the door.  But I believe that the vision is speaking of something a bit more complicated.  

The door represents an opportunity, something that I want to do or something that I need to do.  It could represent something that the Lord would have me do, but there is something that hinders my ability to open the door and walk through.  That something is the pair of pants.

I believe that the pants represent authority.  As one might ask, “Who wears the pants in your family?”  It means: who is the boss? Who makes the decisions?  Who has the authority to lead, to advise, or to choose?

I believe that the vision has to do with spiritual authority that is given by God.  We are given authority, but do we accept it? Believe it?  Use it?  We have preconceived ideas about authority: who has it, and who does not.  Our thoughts are based on what has been our experience, what we have been taught, and what do we believe about authority.  Many believers do not know that they have authority in Christ, and so to them it has no meaning and therefore no application in their lives.

Human authority is given by human institutions and people of higher authority, or people within a self-governing group.  But we must see that even human authority is given by God:

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.”  Romans 13:1 

The spiritual realm is governed by God and there is order and authority established with the various entities in heaven. There is also a hierarchy of authority even within the powers of darkness:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:12   

At the creation, Adam and Eve were given responsibilities and authority by the mandate of God: 

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.’"  Genesis 1:28 

But after the fall of Adam and Eve, evil entered in to the equation, and now Satan who the Lord calls, “The prince of this world,” likes to think he is in charge. He does everything he can to tempt people to sin and to reject God and his ways. Jesus summed it up by saying of the devil:

“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

In this fallen world, we should be made aware through Biblical teaching that our enemies are not people, although it may appear to be so. Our real enemy is the devil and his demons. He operates in the supernatural realm to manifest sickness, disease, destruction and death. That is why we need to have spiritual authority, to overcome the devil’s work in our lives. He tries to tempt us with desires and passions of our flesh, causing us to sin and believe his lies that lead to death.

But, when we give ourselves fully to the Lord, and become born again, we are given additional authority:

Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as one who serves.  You are those who have stood by me in my trials.  And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  Luke 22:25-30

Jesus also gave us spiritual authority in the kingdom of God on this earth.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  Matthew 16:19 

 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”  Matthew 18:19-20

“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.”  John 14:12-14

When the Lord says that he will do something for us and through us, it is because we are under his authority, and we are obedient to do what he says.  God’s authority is made available for us to use when we are fully submitted to his lordship over our lives.  We must be submitted to his  authority, to have authority.  If we are choosing to go against the word of God, or neglecting to do what he has told us to do, then we are in rebellion, and we will carry no authority.

The lack of spiritual authority is shown in a story of the seven sons of Sceva.  These men believed that they had authority simply by invoking the name of Jesus.  But the story shows otherwise:

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”  Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”  Acts 19:13-16

When we walk with the Lord and know him, not just know about him, we will have authority.  The seven sons of Sceva did not have a genuine relationship with the Lord.  They were merely using his name.  They were able to cast out a few lesser demons, but when one challenged their authority, we see that they had none.

The measure of spiritual authority to which we have access is also based on our obedience and faithfulness to carry out the responsibilities that the Lord gives us.  If we have been faithful and obedient to manage what God has entrusted to us, then he will reward us with more authority.

“And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’   His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.’ “  Matthew 25:20-21

In the vision, since the pants are a hindrance to an opportunity, if we pull on the door, without removing the hindrance, the resistance doesn’t move, it increases.  In order for the door to open, the hindrance must be removed. We cannot experience God’s plan for our lives if we do not submit to him. The lack of authority is a hindrance that comes from an unwillingness to surrender to the Lord’s will.  Lacking a genuine relationship with him is also a hindrance.  But there are others.  We need to be able to remove the obstacles, to go through the door that God has set before us.

This reminds me of a story of Jesus.

Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?   But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”  Then the man got up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.  Matthew 9:1-8

We see that Jesus had authority to heal.  He moved in power because he was obedient to the Father.  

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.  John 5:19-20

 We will have authority if we are obedient to God and his ways. 

If we look at the door as being where the Lord is leading, then we would want to align ourselves with that goal and purpose.  And, if the pants are hindering the door from opening, then it would behoove us to use our God-given authority to stoop down, pick up the pants, and put them where they belong.  Then we can fully open the door and go through.

But of course, there will be those who choose not to use the authority that we have been given. They will run to and fro to find someone else who has the authority to take care of the problem. What a shame!

I have found through experience that everyone that has a spiritual or physical problem and needs a healing or deliverance doesn’t necessarily want it. This is a hindrance like no other. It is a self-imposed hindrance.

We can have all the authority that we need to pray and see a deliverance from pain or torment for another person, but if they hold onto their pain because it gives them identity or gives them the attention and sympathy that their souls crave, they will not agree with you in prayer. It will not happen.

I have too many experiences like this when praying for people. It is frustrating to want something for someone who claims they want deliverance, or inner healing, but in reality, they can’t imagine their lives without it. They identify with their problem and they take it with them wherever they go. They will share their problem at parties, or in group settings and in their casual conversations. They simply want sympathy and a response like “I know how you feel…” This conversation of “sympathy and understanding” can lead to an infection of negativity spreading to the person with whom they are speaking. Within minutes the listening person will attempt to console the originator with a like story, filled with condemnation for someone for something, that has offended them —”just to show understanding.” For instance, if Jane has a problem with her husband, she will work to get agreement and sympathy from another. That person then begins to talk negatively about her own marriage, and then the cancer has now spread to her. Her confession has power, and within minutes she has cursed her own marriage.

The devil laughs at this, because he has them both engaged in reinforcing their negative views regarding their husbands. The words they speak go deeper like roots in fertile soil. After a while, the problem becomes a stronghold for the enemy. The cancer will spread to anyone who will listen, and does not take the negative thoughts captive, but allows the thoughts to take root. A person who does not want to be free, but has identified with her problem is dangerous in a group.

“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” Galatians 5:9

That is why we are not to associate with people like this. If they keep complaining and doing nothing positive to change their speech and their behavior, their circumstances could very well last a lifetime, and they will never be free.

Unfortunately, I believe that the devil has won in these circumstances, because without faith, they cannot please God. Their behavior is to deny the Lord’s healing power. They push him away at the same time.

How can anyone have a genuine relationship with God if they deny his help, and deny his sovereignty. They have chosen their problem over a wonderful relationship with God. The best example of this happens to be in the Book of Exodus, where the pastor of our church has been teaching lately. I also wrote of a vision the Lord gave me about this same subject: “Complaining Brings Judgment.”

The Israelites spent so much time in Egypt under slavery that they really never knew what freedom was all about. They were more comfortable with something they knew about, then to trust in a God, who they didn’t know. Even though he showed them miracle after miracle, with the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna and quail that fell from the sky, and the water that flowed from a rock. They couldn’t trust God to deliver them from the occupants of the promised land. They thought it should come without effort. They looked with their natural eyes and judged for themselves that against the inhabitants they didn’t stand a chance. How easily they forgot how the Lord defended them against Pharaoh’s army. So they threw their arms up and said:

“Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” Numbers 14:3-4

And the Lord, was totally done with these people who simply would not trust him.

“So the Lord told Moses and Aaron, ‘“How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me. So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.

Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it. As for you, however, your bodies will fall in this wilderness.

Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.

I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.’” Numbers 14:27-35

So I believe that the people who come up for prayer over and over again, who do not want to be healed or delivered, are living outside the will of God. They are feeding their spiritual problem with the lies that they have believed. They are getting the reward they receive for all their effort—sympathy, or attention. But this will turn them away from God, for you could say of them:

They have “a form of godliness but deny its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:5

They are coming to church, and always speaking of their problem. They will go up for prayer, but when the prayer is finished, they pick their problem right back up again. They do not want deliverance or healing.

They are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7

They do not see the error of their ways. They do not understand even though they receive counseling, and full explanations, about faith and the power of God, the Word of God and the desire of him to heal. They may say “I know all this, but…”

And “as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” 2 Timothy 3:9

It seems utterly futile to ask for prayer but not want the situation to be resolved. They want to hold onto their problem, for their identity is tied to their problem. Jane would not be Jane if her problem was gone.

There is an interesting story in the Bible (Acts 16:16-24) of a slave girl who was demon possessed. She communicated with the demons to practice divination, by which she earned money for her owners. When the apostle Paul grew annoyed with her one day, he cast the demon out. She was free, but her owners were furious. They lost their ability to make money from her connection to the devil. She was no longer the same person.

The people that ask for prayer may not be fortune tellers, but like her, they do not really want their freedom. My brother is an example of this. He received his deliverance, but returned to his lifestyle of speaking with the demons who tried to kill him. His situation now is far worse because instead of one, he has several spirits that torment him and pervert his thoughts. We have offered him deliverance and spiritual freedom if only he would agree to surrender to the lordship of Jesus, but to date he is not interested. He is very deceived and not able to judge truth from falsehood. He is in a place that only God can reach him. We are prayerfully expecting someday he will have an encounter with the Lord and he will be filled with the Spirit of God, and a totally new person.

I believe that it is God’s will that people be set free. For it was Jesus’ expressed purpose.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent ne to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

These words were prophesied in Isaiah, about the Messiah. When Jesus read these words, He then said to those in his hearing: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21

So it is the Lord’s desire that everyone would be saved and delivered from their bondage. But to try to deliver someone who has no real intention or desire to have freedom is simply worthless. It is actually worse to deliver someone who cannot hold their deliverance. I have quoted this before, but it is appropriate for you, the reader, to understand the terrible situation that could result:

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26

Our job is to pray and to seek God on their behalf. If we continue praying without giving up, we know that God will move mountains to heal them and set them free.

“All things are possible to those who believe!” Mark 9:23

Please share this post with others. Everyone needs to know that the Lord loves all people, and wants to see them set them free. God bless you!