How do we grow in our Spiritual Authority?
Let me start by saying that you can grow in Spiritual Authority, not get more than what is available. It would be as if someone asks: “How can I get more of the Holy Spirit?” You can’t. Authority is authority, but how we steward what Spiritual Authority we have helps us walk in greater authoritative levels.
Jesus is a prime example of this principle.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
As a child, Jesus stewarded his life well. As he did, He increased in wisdom, favor, and maturity. He did not have the Spiritual Authority as a boy that He had after His baptism, which will be given once He was approved – Luke 4:14. You will never give your car keys to your five-year-old son. When he turns sixteen, then you can allow him to learn how to drive the car. Spiritual Authority is no different. As you steward your life well, you are allowed to walk in greater levels of Spiritual Authority. A novice is never qualified to handle what Spiritual Authority represents. Paul admonishes us when he writes to Timothy about someone in leadership. Do not put a beginner in place of leadership.
1 Tim 3: 2-7 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own home, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he falls into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he falls into reproach and the snare of the devil.
So the question remains, what must I do to be able to walk in greater levels?
- Obedience: Pastors do not preach a lot of sermons on this anymore. Jesus was very outspoken about obedience. He compares it to the way we love Him. “If you love me you will keep my commandments – John 14:15.
1 John 5:2 By this, we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Obedience is essential for the mere fact that it deals with our rebellion. We don’t think we have any issues until we are asked to obey a command. We don’t talk about obedience because it makes people feel uncomfortable. The reality is that God is more concerned with our character than He is with our comfort. Obedience will build character faster than any self-help program. It would help if you tried it.
When obedience is lacking in our lives, self-interest becomes a god. Just ask Adam and Eve. Obedience is a choice we are asked to make each day to follow His plan for our life. Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered – Heb 5:8, Phil 2:8. Was it because Jesus struggled with being disobedient? No, He was not struggling with disobedience, but He showed us that obedience leads to intimacy. Our love is measured by our obedience. Disobedience affects a relationship. Through obedience, we gain greater intimacy that then leads to greater obedience.
We create laws to make it easy for people to give obedience at least a try. The Law requires obedience. The Old Covenant problem was not the Law; the Law is perfect – Psalm 19:7. They were the problem. The writer in Hebrew states it like this: “For if that first covenant(Old Covenant) had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second(New Covenant). But finding fault with THEM, He said:” – Heb 8:7-8.
The Law gives people a choice to engage their minds. You want to think about it logically. When your thinking gets involved, you will choose your own way most of the time, not God’s way. Israel’s problem was that they got their heads involved and not their hearts. Think about how many people you hear today saying: “I know the Bible says this, but….”
Intimacy produces obedience. Intimacy also requires permission. Without permission, intimacy is a violation. Intimacy is not a head issue but a heart issue. God is after your heart. Intimacy happens when two will’s become one will. My wife and I agree on things. We want the same thing. We make sure that our hearts are one on whatever issue we face. Agreement is better than the Law. Jesus said that where two agree touching anything it can happen for them – Matt 18:19.
God wants us to live in agreement with Him. That manifests as obedience without any struggle. He wants us to think with our hearts and not with our minds that still need some renewing – Rom 12:1-2. We must renew our minds, but in the meantime, let us get our hearts connected to Him. Look at what God tells Israel!
Ex 19:5-6 Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
We know Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. The same promise is given to us that God gave to Israel!
1 Pet 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal(king) priesthood(Priests), a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Next week we will continue looking at how we can grow in our walk with God and be more effective in Spiritual Authority.
