Inward Change Equals Outward Power and Authority
In the following passage, we see Jesus rebuking religious leaders who have added traditions to the Word of God. Yet, He looks beyond the outward observance of religious traditions and gets right to the heart of every human being.
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
Here is what I have discovered in life: ‘If it is not in you, it won’t come out of you.”
Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
My spiritual gauge for myself and those I work with is the words that we speak.
No matter how much of Christian someone pretends to be on Sunday, what are they saying and doing the rest of the week?
Are they cussing, discussing and gossiping?
Are they bitter and thinking evil thoughts, proud, or simply speaking foolishness?
All of these, according to this passage, reveal heart problems and require Holy Ghost heart surgery, and a trip to the cross, where these things die, and we discover the resurrection power of Jesus in that area of our life, empowering us to walk free of our wickedness.
I have noticed that a Christian Positionally has authority over every demon in hell, but practically only demonstrates that power, in the areas where we don’t yield to those demons. They cannot tempt us with a desire, if that desire no longer exists, it died when it met the cross of Jesus, and so, practically, we exercise dominion over darkness in the areas where we have victory.
Notice that our power comes from Jesus, but if you walk with Him awhile, you quickly discover, that an obedient, spirit led life, becomes a powerful life, as His power flows through us:
Lu 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
God works within us, to purify our very desires in our soulical realm, then uses us to help others in the very areas where we once struggled.
Ro 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
I want to be a pure and holy, vessel of honor, displaying His power and authority to set captives free, and deliver people controlled by demons.
How about you?
Let’s pray:
Father, I see where I still think and speak evil things sometimes. Destroy these things, with your power. Forgive me, Father, now give me the power to forever kill these evil desires. Wash me deep within from my evil desires, and purify my thoughts, emotions, desires, so that I can say like Jesus, satan has come, but found nothing in me! In your name, I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!