His Will, Not Ours

"He is present when it is spoken."

THE CHURCH teaches the authority of the name of Jesus over devils, not understanding devils, the way they think, they way they speak, not knowing their nature. Nor leaning upon the Spirit of Christ Jesus to perform the authority of His name. It is not US threatening them. Jesus’ authority is powerful because He is present when it is spoken.

“Now, you know that this man here had weak legs. But Jesus is powerful. Jesus’ authority caused this man’s legs to become strong. This really happened because Jesus is powerful. You can see that. This man believed that Jesus could cause his legs to become strong. So Jesus made him well. And you yourselves can see that he is walking.” (Acts 3:16, EasyEnglish)

We must be IN THE SPIRIT when it is used, speaking Jesus’ name at HIS WILL and not ours.

This applies also to the “sword of the Spirit” described in Ephesians 6:17. Much description has been given to it as part of Roman soldier’s uniform. But all that is really necessary to know is it is THE SPIRIT’S SWORD and not ours.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17)

Here, too, we must be “Galatians 5” led of the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, alive in the Spirit. To say we “know His voice,” we must then not be reasoning out what He just said. Interpretation is not ours. If we do this, then we don’t truly know His Voice because He will always explain His words.

Many teach wrong doctrine and say it’s Him. Others sound more like devils in WHAT they say and HOW they say it. Neither of these groups of people know Him. This circles me back around to my first statement. The church teaches the authority of Jesus’ name not knowing the nature and behavior of unclean spirits. There is nothing to fear in unclean spirits (devils). If you fear them, you lack understanding. Of why they are like they are. And greater, of Jesus.

He did not fear Satan when led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Luke 4:1). Not even when given two devilish visions. He knew who He was and said so in the Scriptures He quoted. He did not flinch when casting unclean spirits out either. Not when 2,000 of them in one man spoke out (Mark 5:12). He simply bid them go. Yet we see lack of knowledge in the Pharisees who accused Him of using Satan to cast out Satan (Matthew 12:24). And Jesus’ response to them is misunderstood. He was not trying to imply Satan (a) has a kingdom nor that (b) it is strong and organized, but, in fact, the opposite. Satan does not have a kingdom; he is not an elected or conquering ruler. He was cast down like lightning (Luke 10:18) and ended up in darkness, consumed with sin.

Jesus was manifested to destroy him, to destroy his works, and to destroy death (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; 2 Timothy 1:10). This was what Jesus meant. No one picked up on it.

We read things in God’s Word at face value. We must hear them in the Spirit instead. So much of what is in the Word holds depths far beyond our simple understanding. Our use of the name of Jesus is one area where we must grow in humility and not in our own strength. We are all sinners saved by grace, which is the Father’s kindness to us. I am no one, and if you point out all I’ve written, I’m still no one. My story isn’t about books, nor southern culture, nor church upbringing. It is about how Jesus rescued me from a horrible place and gave me understanding of it.

That is really all I want to say. Don’t look at me. Look at Him and marvel that He’s alive, and He’s speaking to me. But it is that He speaks to me, and I know He backs up His Word that gives me confidence to use His name. Our highest point is always by taking our lowest position and keeping Him as Lord. He desires our success, but not for it to consume us. Instead, it is that it shows His love for us.


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com