Spiritual Authority (5)

Paul spoke in Ephesians 4 about unity in the body of Christ and encouraged us to be humble, gently and patient. While spiritual authority relates to waging war against the adversary, our love for one another and our unity is a major ingredient in winning battles. We are one body in Christ and as we work to establish the kingdom, we have to remain united. “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:5-6). Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” When Jesus ascended, he led a host of captives and distributed gifts to the church. The captives were the kingdom of darkness the gifts were restoring what was originally taken, back to the church.

His ascension suggests that he had descended, to the lowest parts of the earth to conquer hell and death. After his ascension he distributed the five fold ministries including the prophets, apostles, evangelist, shepherds and teachers. “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). This is to help us to grow spiritually and to remain in unity in Christ. As we mature, it will no longer be easy for us to be swayed by false teachings and deception. We are to speak the truth in love and work together to support the expansion of the church. We now have a new life in Christ and we are no longer to walk in darkness. There are still many people in the world who have their eyes blinded to the things of God. Due to hardness of heart, people can become callous and give in to sensuality, greed and impurity.

As we have learnt the ways of Christ, we have to put aside our old sinful nature, which is corrupt and deceitful and have our minds renewed by the Holy Spirit. “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). We are urged to speak the truth at all times, become angry without sinning and don’t allow the sun to go down while we are still angry. ”and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Those who once stole should find a means for honest work and we have to guard our mouths so that we speak to build up others. Paul cautioned that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit, who is our seal for redemption. This is the final deliverance from the consequences of sin, which Jesus paid for on the cross. Paul also said in Romans 8:16, that the spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.

The seal of God is the Holy Spirit and our qualification for salvation and access to God. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we rebel against God and shun his warnings to us. We also quench the spirit when we ignore his inner promptings concerning affairs in our lives. We need the Holy Spirit to be fully operational in our lives, if we are to walk in power and authority. The reality is that we cannot do anything without the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Without his power, we are merely exercising the flesh and relying on our skill or intellect. Paul cautioned us to put aside bitterness, anger, wrath, resentment, slander and malice. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

A.P-Y.