Armor - Part 5

The Power

Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

He first gave them power against spirits, then against sickness. Could there be a correlation between demons and illness? Duh! You think?!!

Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Again, Jesus gave them (us) POWER! Power for what?

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils (1st); they shall speak with new tongues (2nd);

The first thing the power is for spiritual warfare.

If the only part of that verse we exercise is speaking in tongues then we're doing things a little backwards. In fact, if we're not casting out devils, but speaking in tongues...we've got our priorities mixed up!

Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

After the disciples forbade one who was NOT an official follower of Jesus to cast out devils, Jesus told them not to stop him.

Why hasn't the Spirit-filled Church emphasized the casting out of demons before speaking in tongues? Because "tongues" is safe. There's no real danger of moving into the crosshairs of the Enemy's fire! If we do it right, then we deliberately take a stand on the frontlines of the war, taking along "tongues" as a weapon in our arsenal. Also most believe that only sinners can be bothered (vexed) by evil spirits, not realizing that they may need just as much deliverance as the wino in the street!

How are you using your power?