Gaining Spiritual Power in the Kingdom

Gaining Spiritual Power and Authority in the Kingdom

"Behold, 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."

-Luke 10 :19

Who are the powerful Christians in the Kingdom of God ?

Are they the mega church leaders who lead and direct congregation of thousands? Are they the best selling authors who were able to sell millions of copies of books? Are they the powerful speakers who were able to influence the lives of hundreds?

I believe with all my heart, the most powerful Christians are those who are living the most blameless and most righteous lives in the eyes of God. Spiritual authority in the kingdom of God can be attained through holiness. God’s prophets in the Old Testament times who lived holy lives were indeed powerful servants of God. They just speak the word, and it will be done. God always listen to their prayers. Their prayers are indeed powerful. One of those powerful prophets is Elijah, the prophet of fire. Elijah pronounced to King Ahab that there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years in Israel except at his word. So, in the succeeding years, Israel experienced the “ El Nino Phenomena”, a long dry season. This was God’s judgment to Israel and King Ahab for allowing ungodliness and wickedness to rule the whole land. This season of drought will be ended only when Elijah speak the word. That is how powerful Elijah was, just merely speaking the word and it will be done. Elijah is no ordinary prophet, he is God’s holy servant who utterly dedicated himself to God. He lived a truly righteous and holy life in God’s eyes. In our time, there are lots of self-proclaimed prophets who teach word of faith doctrine and positive confession. They teach that by speaking or pronouncing prosperity or blessing and claiming it by faith, it will be fulfilled . Their application is done in wrong context. Elijah is a true prophet who pronounced the will of God. The word he had spoken did not originate from himself. The prophecies and word he had spoken came from God. He was used mightily by God as a prophet because his heart is totally surrendered to God, and he always seek to glorify God.

Another great instance in the life of Prophet Elijah had happened when he temporarily sought refuge in the house of the widow of Zarepath. The widow’s son died, but he was brought back to life after Elijah pleaded God to restore him to life. This is the mark of a true servant of God, his prayer is powerful. As it is written in the Scripture, “the prayer of the righteous avail much.” Righteousness is the key to make our prayers effective. After witnessing this miracle at Zarepath, the widow pronounced to Elijah, “ Now I know that you are a man of God and and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth” ( I Kings 17:24).

The greatest event in the life of Prophet Elijah that indeed marks him as the mighty prophet of God is the event that happened on Mount Carmel. At Mount Carmet, Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah to prove the reality of their gods. At Mount Carmel, the Israelites had witnessed that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the true and living God , and at that day He was greatly glorified. God never failed Elijah because he is indeed a faithful and righteous servant. Elijah’s life is a demonstration of God’s power and glory. It is a strong testimony that only in living a totally surrendered life to God and in living a righteous life, we can gain true spiritual power and authority.

This day marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is about time to examine our hearts and lives. It is about time to pursue holiness and righteousness and live a powerful life. In order to attain spiritual authority, we do not need to be church leaders, we do not need to gain position in our churches or spiritual/religious organization. All we have to do is to stand for the truth of God’s Word and live blameless and uncompromising lives. He/She, who is the most upright and blameless, is the most powerful in the kingdom.