Power and Authority

Throughout the bible we hear the words power and authority used repeatedly to describe the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Power:
The ability, strength, and capacity to do something. Physical force or strength. Control and influence over other people and their judgment, emotions, or actions. The authority to act or do something according to a law or rule. A skill or ability.

Authority:
The right or power to enforce rules or give orders. Somebody or something with official power. Power to act on behalf of somebody else, or official permission to do something. Source of reliable information: a source of reliable information on a subject. A statement that makes somebody believe something is true.

As you can see, power and authority do not suggest a passive nature. Instead, they suggest that the Spirit is proactive, intentional, urging and demanding in the way He deals with us in our day to day lives.

There are many biblical references to the fact that the Holy Spirit gives us the actual divine energy of God in order to enable us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to do what God calls us to do. This is a sustaining power, not just a burst of energy. It gives us the ability to persevere and to overcome!

The Holy Spirit’s goal is to get us to obey God, come into fellowship with Him, and glorify Him.
There are a number of specific things the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer. He does these things constantly:

1) Convicts us of sin. Not one of us comes to Christ without repentance and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He reveals our sins so we might confess them – and I’m not talking about going to confession here folks. C’mon! I’m talking get on your knees, cry out to the Lord and repent and then TURN from your sins…ask Him to help you to never do those things again! Give yourself a shot at joy, peace, forgiveness, and freedom like you have never known!

2) Regenerates us. He saves us. He dwells within us. He continues to convict us and then cleanse us as we repent and draw nearer to God.

3) Teaches us and guides us. He gives us insight to the meaning of scripture and brings scripture to our remembrance. He gives us words to speak when we face persecution or when we are asked to witness, or speak about Jesus.

4) Comforts us. His presence abiding in us helps us to withstand, overcome, and deal with grief, loneliness, fear, and my personal issue anxiety! He gives us peace. The peace that Jesus left for us in John 14:27 ”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He comforts us in our time of need – giving peace that passes all understanding no matter what the situation!

5) Gives spiritual gifts. Gifts are given for both ministry [to be developed and used to help bring the lost into fellowship with Christ * see Romans12:6-8] and for supernatural gifts for use in accomplishing His purpose [1 Corinthians 12:7-10]. Supernatural gifts are also called manifestations of the Spirit. They are not given to a believer on a permanent basis, but rather they are gifts that flow through a believer on a temporary basis to meet a specific need.

6) Imparts His nature to us. As I’ve discussed previously, the Holy Spirit bears His fruit in our lives. The more we follow His promptings and abide in Him the more we are made to be like Him and display the characteristics of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

7) Refines and transforms us. From the inside out...praise God!!

All that the Holy Spirit does in and through us is for our eternal benefit and ultimately for us to bring glory to God our Father. He does these things with POWER and AUTHORITY. The only thing preventing Him from doing all these things for you is your refusal to allow Him to work in you! Perhaps your refusal is rooted in willful rebellion…or perhaps it is more subtle – simply rooted in your wanting to do things your own way and living by your own strength. If you do not invite the Holy Spirit in to work in you and through you, you will not experience the fullness of His presence or power in your life.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have joy in my life regardless of my circumstances?

Am I eager to get up each morning to see what God has in store for me? Do I live in eager expectation of all that God is going to do?

Am I quick to praise God and thank Him for all that he has done, is doing, and promises to do for me?

Am I willing to submit myself to others or do I cling to what I want, when I want it, and how I want it?

Am I willing to trust God to work through others to accomplish His perfecting work in me?

Am I willing to submit MY will to HIS will?

Am I using my spiritual gifts?

If your answer is no to any of these questions, ask the Spirit to do more of His work in you so that your answers might become YES! Ask the Spirit to reveal your sins, cleanse you and give you the strength to repent and turn from them. Ask Him to teach you and guide you into the ways that you should go. Ask Him to help you to train your mind so that your thought patterns will line up with God’s Word. Invite the Holy Spirit to do His work in you and to give you His joy, His heart, His mind, His goals, His motivation….and His POWER!