As I was listening to a Kenneth E. Hagin sermon, it struck me that many Christians are guided by their feelings and not by their authority. Many Christians say, “I don’t feel _____________.”(fill in any number of phrases here):
- I don’t feel healed
- I don’t feel loved
- I don’t feel righteous
- I don’t feel blessed
These are lies that satan tries to push on us. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Brother Hagin said, “People’s faith isn’t in their authority, their faith is in their feelings.” Now that doesn’t apply to ALL people, but we need to check our beliefs. As Christians we need to believe what the Bible says – and not what our family, friends, or coworkers say (when it differs from the Bible).
Consider James 4:7, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” We need to RESIST the devil (not encourage him) and he will flee from us. Of course there is an additional requirement – we need to submit to God. Don’t try to do it on your own! Also consider the words of Jesus in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” If Jesus has given us authority over the power on the enemy (satan), we need to walk in that authority. Jesus also said nothing will injure us. So why don’t we believe these promises? Start believing today! Then we will be guided by our authority and not our feelings.
God is love. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run (1 Corinthians 13:13 TPT). Jesus is Lord.
Additional Bible references:
- 1 Peter 2:24 – By His stripes we were healed
- Ephesians 1:20-23 – the name of Jesus is above all names, and He gave authority to the church
- Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
- Exodus 15:26 – The Lord is your healer
- Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith…it is a gift of God
- Ephesians 6:12 – Our struggle is not against flesh and blood