Walking In Authority

In one of my favorite episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show”, Barney becomes a bit unhinged. He pulls over Gomer Pyle and makes a scene about him pulling a U-turn. They argue and Barney gives him a ticket. Immediately after, Barney leaves the scene a pulls a U-turn. Go,er steps into the middle of the road to block Barney and starts yelling, “Citizen’s arrest!” Andy shows up and makes Barney spend time in jail. I’ve seen citizen’s arrests in other shows and movies, but never in real life. I’ve even seen YouTube videos where unhinged people have attempted it, but the other party ignored them. Why? Because they lacked the authority without a uniform and badge. I realize there are laws that allow for citizen’s arrests, but would you let a regular person arrest you?

In Acts 29, there were these men who had seen Paul heal the sick and cast out demons. They were sons of a priest named Sceva and they began traveling from town to town casting out demons. They would cast out the demons by saying, “In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” In one incident recorded in this chapter, the demon replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” They got the beating of a lifetime after that. They knew there was power in the name of Jesus, but they lacked the authority to use it because they didn’t know Him. They were attempting a citizen’s arrest if you will on a demon, but they weren’t truly citizens of Heaven. The demon saw there was no authority and remained in the person. I don’t think they ever attempted that again.

In Luke 10, Jesus sent out His disciples to proclaim the Gospel. When they returned, He told them how He saw Satan fall like lightning. Then in verse 19 He said, “Now you understand that I have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority” (TPT). As a believer, I want to remind you that you have been given the authority of Jesus. Wherever you go, whatever you face, you can walk in His authority and not be afraid. You have the power of light in a dark world. The power of healing for the sick. I believe it’s time for us to start trampling the kingdom of darkness around us by walking in the authority God had given us. When we rise up in this authority, Satan will fall like lightning again and God’s kingdom will prosper. Ask God to guide you today wherever you go as a citizen of Heaven walking in that authority setting people free.

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