SPIRITUAL POWER
Jesus told the religious leaders of New Testament times. . .
Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
(Matthew 22:29)
The truth of the Gospel is two-fold. First, it is the Word of God as revealed in the Holy
Bible. To know the Scriptures you must study, understand, and apply them.
But the truth of the Gospel is more than the Scriptures. It is also the power of God. To
know the power of God you must understand and apply power principles. The power of
God must become a reality in your life through experience.
The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God, not through great
public speakers or theological debate. Paul wrote:
And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God. (I Corinthians 2:4-5)
Paul recognized that. . .
. . . the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20)
Jesus left believers with a great mission of reaching the world with the Gospel of the
Kingdom. This task will not be accomplished by words alone. As in the early church,
there also must be a demonstration of the power of God.
Many people know the Word of God but have not experienced the power of God. They
do not really understand the power of the Gospel. Many ministers today are well
educated. They preach with enticing words of man's wisdom, but there is no
demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power.
In some churches the miraculous has been replaced with human reasoning that demands
a logical explanation for everything that happens. Power has been replaced by
theological debate over whether the miraculous is for today or was only for the early
church. When reason and debate take the place of the miraculous, the life flow of God is
replaced by man-made religion. People have had their fill of religion and its
accompanying ritual. They want to experience reality. They need to witness the visible
manifestation of God's power.
If your faith is to stand in the power of God instead of the wisdom of man, you must
experience the same flow of power as did the early church. Believers in the early
church. . .
. . . went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the Word with signs following. (Mark 16:20)
We have talked of working for God. We plan our ministry and ask God to bless it. But
the Biblical method of effective ministry is the Lord working with us, confirming His
Word with miraculous signs.
The world is not interested in what you have done for God. The world is attracted to
Jesus when they see visible results of the power of the Gospel which has changed your
life. The world is attracted by the demonstration of spiritual power as the Lord works
with you to confirm His Word with miraculous signs.
Just as there is a deceiving sleep and warmth which comes upon a man who is dying from
cold by freezing to death, so it is in the spirit world. There is a stupor and an
unconcerned attitude when people are dying spiritually.
Religion is the attempt of man to know God. It is ritual and regulations, works and words
without power. Religion brings spiritual death.
The power of God is the visible demonstration of His desire to reveal Himself to man.
Spiritual power is God's Kingdom in action. It brings spiritual life.
Many have experienced religion. They have joined various cults and denominations.
These organizations have lulled them into an unconcerned spiritual attitude. They have
not experienced the power of the Gospel which can change their lives. They are defeated
and discouraged, sick and wounded. They are dying spiritually. Their heart cry is as that
of the Psalmist David who wrote. . .
O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my
flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(Psalms 63:1-2)
These people need to experience life after religion.
POWER PRINCIPLES
By faith, begin to apply the Biblical power principles. These include:
The power of the Gospel: Your life must first be changed through the power of the
Gospel. Repentance is the basis of true spiritual power.
The power of the Holy Spirit: You receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come
upon you.
The power of love: Any spiritual gift, any manifestation of power is ineffective
without it.
The anointing of power: It is the anointing that will break the yoke. You cannot
do it in your own strength and power.
Power, faith, and works: These are inseparable. They must function together in
your life and ministry.
The name of Jesus: You come in His authority. It is power through His name.
The power of prayer: Prayer and fasting result in spiritual power.
The power of the Word: Speak His words, not yours. His Word will not return
void. It will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent forth.
The power of authority: Remain under authority so you can function in authority.
The power of His resurrection: Experience it now in your mortal body.
The power of suffering: You have power in adversity as well as over adversity.
Greater pressure results in greater power. Turn ordeals into opportunities for the
manifestation of God's power.
THE LAW OF USE AND INCREASE
There is a Biblical principle called the "Law Of Use And Increase" which affects spiritual
power. Your spiritual power will be increased by proper application of this principle.
Read the parable told by Jesus in Luke 19:12-26. The servants who used and increased
the money given them received more. The one who did nothing with the money lost it.
The "Law of Use And Increase" is just that: Use what you are given, and it will increase.
You either must use it or lose it. God gives you spiritual power for the purpose of
serving, not reigning (Matthew 20:25-28). If you use spiritual power properly, that flow
of God's power will increase within you. You will see even greater manifestations of His
power in your life and ministry. If you do not use it, you will lose it:
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given: and from
him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
(Luke 19:26)
POWER FAILURE
In the natural world, man depends on natural power sources for progress. Natural power
may be as simple as a fire over which dinner is cooked. Without the fire, progress on the
meal comes to a standstill. Natural power may also be as complex as electricity which is
generated in cities by great power plants. When these plants fail, the power they generate
fail. An entire city will experience a blackout. When there is a power failure in the
natural world, progress comes to a standstill.
The same is true in the spiritual world. When there is a power failure, when the fire of the
spirit goes out, spiritual progress comes to a standstill. Lives are not changed through the
power of the Gospel. The sick are not healed. Demons are not cast out.
There are reasons for power failure in the natural world. It may be a simple reason, like a
fire burning out, or a complex reason, such as a piece of mechanical equipment breaking.
When these reasons for failure are identified and corrected, the flow of power resumes.
There are also causes for power failure in the spiritual world. When these are identified
and corrected, the flow of spiritual power resumes.
Things that allow power failure to occur:
Sin: Sin separates man from God. When you are separated from God, His power cannot
Flow through you.
Bondages: Spiritual bondage can prevent the flow of God's power in your life. Bondages
are not sin in themselves. Anything in your life which consumes It may be a hobby or habit.
It may be attitudes of timidity and fear which prevent you from acting in faith and power.
Such bondages result in power failure because you are brought under their power instead
of the control of the Holy Spirit. What do you think about the most? There is your God.
Violation of power principles: Burn out don’t rust out! Use the power given to you.
Reigning instead of serving: When spiritual power is used to reign instead of serve, power
failure results.
Personal profit: Jesus was tempted by Satan to use his power for personal profit. Satan
tempted Him to make stones into bread and to prove His power to the people by jumping
from the top of the temple. Jesus refused.
Emulations: When you try to imitate the ministries of others, you can experience serious
power failure.
Wrong motives: Seek God, not power.
Unbelief: The demonstration of God's power can be affected by the unbelief of those to
whom you minister. It also can be affected by your own unbelief.
Limiting God: There is no limit to God's power, but we can impose limits as to how it can
work in and through us.
WHEN THERE IS NO MIRACLE
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed
Belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29)
In some instances, God reveals why there is no miracle. In other cases, we will not be able to
find the answer. There are secret things known only to God. We function in the realm of
revelation, not sovereign knowledge. But do not let this hinder the demonstration of God's
power in your life. Walk in what is revealed. Leave the unanswered questions, the secret
things, to the sovereignty of God.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE.
As you move beyond the point of spiritual blessing into the realm of power and authority, you
too will be challenged. This is what to do when Satan challenges your authority:
Recognise the source: Remember that all challenges to true spiritual power come from Satan.
It is not circumstances or people who are the challengers.
Do not spend time in debate: Because your battle is not with flesh and blood, do not waste
time in argument or debate with man. Satan is not affected by logic, intellect, or theological
debate.
Face the opposition: Do not flee before the opposition. Do not stop the flow of God's power to
please people. Face opposition in the power of God.
Take authority: Remember the authority delegated to you by Jesus. He said "I have given you
power over all the power of the enemy."
He has given it to you, but you must use it. When faced with a challenge of Satan, take spiritual
authority over that challenge. Take authority in the name of Jesus. Take authority on the basis of
God's Word. Apply the power principles.
You have been given power over ALL the powers of the enemy. Overcome the negative forces of
unbelief! Take your rightful place of authority in God.
Jesus told the religious leaders of New Testament times. . .
Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
(Matthew 22:29)
The truth of the Gospel is two-fold. First, it is the Word of God as revealed in the Holy
Bible. To know the Scriptures you must study, understand, and apply them.
But the truth of the Gospel is more than the Scriptures. It is also the power of God. To
know the power of God you must understand and apply power principles. The power of
God must become a reality in your life through experience.
The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God, not through great
public speakers or theological debate. Paul wrote:
And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God. (I Corinthians 2:4-5)
Paul recognized that. . .
. . . the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20)
Jesus left believers with a great mission of reaching the world with the Gospel of the
Kingdom. This task will not be accomplished by words alone. As in the early church,
there also must be a demonstration of the power of God.
Many people know the Word of God but have not experienced the power of God. They
do not really understand the power of the Gospel. Many ministers today are well
educated. They preach with enticing words of man's wisdom, but there is no
demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power.
In some churches the miraculous has been replaced with human reasoning that demands
a logical explanation for everything that happens. Power has been replaced by
theological debate over whether the miraculous is for today or was only for the early
church. When reason and debate take the place of the miraculous, the life flow of God is
replaced by man-made religion. People have had their fill of religion and its
accompanying ritual. They want to experience reality. They need to witness the visible
manifestation of God's power.
If your faith is to stand in the power of God instead of the wisdom of man, you must
experience the same flow of power as did the early church. Believers in the early
church. . .
. . . went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the Word with signs following. (Mark 16:20)
We have talked of working for God. We plan our ministry and ask God to bless it. But
the Biblical method of effective ministry is the Lord working with us, confirming His
Word with miraculous signs.
The world is not interested in what you have done for God. The world is attracted to
Jesus when they see visible results of the power of the Gospel which has changed your
life. The world is attracted by the demonstration of spiritual power as the Lord works
with you to confirm His Word with miraculous signs.
Just as there is a deceiving sleep and warmth which comes upon a man who is dying from
cold by freezing to death, so it is in the spirit world. There is a stupor and an
unconcerned attitude when people are dying spiritually.
Religion is the attempt of man to know God. It is ritual and regulations, works and words
without power. Religion brings spiritual death.
The power of God is the visible demonstration of His desire to reveal Himself to man.
Spiritual power is God's Kingdom in action. It brings spiritual life.
Many have experienced religion. They have joined various cults and denominations.
These organizations have lulled them into an unconcerned spiritual attitude. They have
not experienced the power of the Gospel which can change their lives. They are defeated
and discouraged, sick and wounded. They are dying spiritually. Their heart cry is as that
of the Psalmist David who wrote. . .
O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my
flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(Psalms 63:1-2)
These people need to experience life after religion.
POWER PRINCIPLES
By faith, begin to apply the Biblical power principles. These include:
The power of the Gospel: Your life must first be changed through the power of the
Gospel. Repentance is the basis of true spiritual power.
The power of the Holy Spirit: You receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come
upon you.
The power of love: Any spiritual gift, any manifestation of power is ineffective
without it.
The anointing of power: It is the anointing that will break the yoke. You cannot
do it in your own strength and power.
Power, faith, and works: These are inseparable. They must function together in
your life and ministry.
The name of Jesus: You come in His authority. It is power through His name.
The power of prayer: Prayer and fasting result in spiritual power.
The power of the Word: Speak His words, not yours. His Word will not return
void. It will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent forth.
The power of authority: Remain under authority so you can function in authority.
The power of His resurrection: Experience it now in your mortal body.
The power of suffering: You have power in adversity as well as over adversity.
Greater pressure results in greater power. Turn ordeals into opportunities for the
manifestation of God's power.
THE LAW OF USE AND INCREASE
There is a Biblical principle called the "Law Of Use And Increase" which affects spiritual
power. Your spiritual power will be increased by proper application of this principle.
Read the parable told by Jesus in Luke 19:12-26. The servants who used and increased
the money given them received more. The one who did nothing with the money lost it.
The "Law of Use And Increase" is just that: Use what you are given, and it will increase.
You either must use it or lose it. God gives you spiritual power for the purpose of
serving, not reigning (Matthew 20:25-28). If you use spiritual power properly, that flow
of God's power will increase within you. You will see even greater manifestations of His
power in your life and ministry. If you do not use it, you will lose it:
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given: and from
him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
(Luke 19:26)
POWER FAILURE
In the natural world, man depends on natural power sources for progress. Natural power
may be as simple as a fire over which dinner is cooked. Without the fire, progress on the
meal comes to a standstill. Natural power may also be as complex as electricity which is
generated in cities by great power plants. When these plants fail, the power they generate
fail. An entire city will experience a blackout. When there is a power failure in the
natural world, progress comes to a standstill.
The same is true in the spiritual world. When there is a power failure, when the fire of the
spirit goes out, spiritual progress comes to a standstill. Lives are not changed through the
power of the Gospel. The sick are not healed. Demons are not cast out.
There are reasons for power failure in the natural world. It may be a simple reason, like a
fire burning out, or a complex reason, such as a piece of mechanical equipment breaking.
When these reasons for failure are identified and corrected, the flow of power resumes.
There are also causes for power failure in the spiritual world. When these are identified
and corrected, the flow of spiritual power resumes.
Things that allow power failure to occur:
Sin: Sin separates man from God. When you are separated from God, His power cannot
Flow through you.
Bondages: Spiritual bondage can prevent the flow of God's power in your life. Bondages
are not sin in themselves. Anything in your life which consumes It may be a hobby or habit.
It may be attitudes of timidity and fear which prevent you from acting in faith and power.
Such bondages result in power failure because you are brought under their power instead
of the control of the Holy Spirit. What do you think about the most? There is your God.
Violation of power principles: Burn out don’t rust out! Use the power given to you.
Reigning instead of serving: When spiritual power is used to reign instead of serve, power
failure results.
Personal profit: Jesus was tempted by Satan to use his power for personal profit. Satan
tempted Him to make stones into bread and to prove His power to the people by jumping
from the top of the temple. Jesus refused.
Emulations: When you try to imitate the ministries of others, you can experience serious
power failure.
Wrong motives: Seek God, not power.
Unbelief: The demonstration of God's power can be affected by the unbelief of those to
whom you minister. It also can be affected by your own unbelief.
Limiting God: There is no limit to God's power, but we can impose limits as to how it can
work in and through us.
WHEN THERE IS NO MIRACLE
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed
Belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29)
In some instances, God reveals why there is no miracle. In other cases, we will not be able to
find the answer. There are secret things known only to God. We function in the realm of
revelation, not sovereign knowledge. But do not let this hinder the demonstration of God's
power in your life. Walk in what is revealed. Leave the unanswered questions, the secret
things, to the sovereignty of God.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE.
As you move beyond the point of spiritual blessing into the realm of power and authority, you
too will be challenged. This is what to do when Satan challenges your authority:
Recognise the source: Remember that all challenges to true spiritual power come from Satan.
It is not circumstances or people who are the challengers.
Do not spend time in debate: Because your battle is not with flesh and blood, do not waste
time in argument or debate with man. Satan is not affected by logic, intellect, or theological
debate.
Face the opposition: Do not flee before the opposition. Do not stop the flow of God's power to
please people. Face opposition in the power of God.
Take authority: Remember the authority delegated to you by Jesus. He said "I have given you
power over all the power of the enemy."
He has given it to you, but you must use it. When faced with a challenge of Satan, take spiritual
authority over that challenge. Take authority in the name of Jesus. Take authority on the basis of
God's Word. Apply the power principles.
You have been given power over ALL the powers of the enemy. Overcome the negative forces of
unbelief! Take your rightful place of authority in God.
