I Have Given You Authority

Luke 10:19

“I give unto you  power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

I have recently been experiencing a good bit of joint pain. Knowing that it can be crippling, I’ve tried to apply myself to what I can do to help improve the pain. I always elude to my diet and exercise patterns and try to address change in them. It’s not easy and not fun and requires a lot of effort!! The power to do so takes a lot of willpower. But the fear of being overtaken by pain and disability gives me strength to keep pursuing.

I don’t like snakes or spiders and I believe I am only one of many who avoid contact with them. We shudder, step around, run from and in general stay as far as possible from them!

I read the above scripture this morning about Jesus giving power to step on them. I realize this is not literal, but it does imply that we do have authority over  negative and unpleasant things in our life. Meaning that we have to realize the danger these things present and the possibility of them hurting or killing us. And taking action...

Aren’t we all tempted in our lives to run from our problems,  which causes us to continually be dodging, hiding from, and failing to confront our needs. It’s easy to feel crippled, and distracted.  We feel overwhelmed at the need for constant persistence and pushing in our daily living. It’s so easy to feel burdened and even trapped into corners with unhappiness and weariness staring us in the face.  Depression has become a given in so many people’s lives!!

I’m reminded that Jesus lived and taught that we can have power to rise above the poison and venom that comes from the power of the enemy. Discouragement, depression, fear and defeat are all his tools. They will destroy us. 

But Christ has given us authority to tread on these things and He said if we avail ourselves of His weapon, nothing shall harm us!

The next verse (20) says to then not rejoice that we have such power. That is our weapon!! . In other words, don’t abuse that power, but rejoice that we can live in such a way that we know our names are written in Heaven.  That assurance will drive away all darkness and give us peace and calmness surpassing anything else in life. 

How easy it is to just live uninspired, hum drum, depressing lives feeling that evil lurks around every corner.  Instead, we should confidently be facing and treading upon everything oppressing and discouraging that is waiting to attack us. 

Let’s put on some shoes with some tread!!