From Told to Teller For someone who has experienced many challenges in life, there can be a sense of being at the mercy of whatever might be coming next. It may seem that an illness, loss, or addiction is dictating what they will do, that they are the victim of circumstances with no other alternative but to do as told. With an embrace of this perspective also comes great resistance to changes that might gain them victory. To no longer be under the authority of that thing, it will have to be seen as far below and now subject to what they are now declaring. They can escape slavery only by becoming its master, boldly stating what must be from an identity of authority. Changing from a victim to the one in charge is critical for rising above or eliminating the mountain altogether. One of the most powerful changes that comes with new life in Christ is this transformation from being under the whims of life to having real authority to triumph in every circumstance. The “victim” is part of the old that has passed away, as it has been replaced with the “overcomer.” It’s possible, though, to have this authority and still live under the dictates of sin and condemnation. Just as a police officer must speak up to exercise his/her authority, so the believer must give voice to the situation of needed resolve for it to change. In Christ, we never again have to serve sin and live as victims of its consequences, but to experience this freedom, there has to be a change in the words that come out of our mouths. We’ve been given the position, but it isn’t until our voice is heard that the mountain will give way to our position in Him. Notes Positioned above – in authority Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT) 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. With Him in Authority Ephesians 2:4-6 (NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Position is not enough – must use authority Romans 6:5-14 (NKJV) 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. How to dominate sin and its consequences - Words of authority from a heart under authority Matthew 8:8-9 (NKJV) 8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it." Words from a fearless, believing heart Mark 11:23 (NLT) 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. Love empowers victory over all darkness Romans 8:35-37 (NLT) 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Living/exhibiting His love removes all authority-disabling fear 1 John 4:17-18 (NLT) 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. In the beholding of Christ is the gaining of authority that renders the church unstoppable. Matthew 16:18-19 (NLT) 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” From Influenced to Influencer Matthew 18:18-20 (NKJV) 18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Overview: In Christ our position changed from being under the influence of sin’s dominion to being over it with Him. Though in heavenly places with Him, our authority is activated and effective with words of confidence from the heart. The power of love to remove all concerns of condemnation is what enables the heart’s boldness over the works of darkness. Love’s effect is experienced through a life of walking in His love where it is perfected in reception and expression. Established on the revelation of Christ is a bold wielding of authority from the church that the gates of hell cannot withhold. We’ve been changed from being conformed by a dictating world to transforming the world around us with unshakeable confidence in the power of God’s love. Prayer: Father, as I grow in the knowledge of Your love, walking with You in this new life, empower me to affect the surrounding world with the authority that You’ve given me in Christ. Cause me to demonstrate my change from the told to the teller for Your glory and praise. Declarations: Even while I was a slave to sin, I was given new life in Christ with a position far above my old slavemaster. As I walk in the presence of the Master in this new life, I am empowered by His love with authority over those old ways of darkness. Where I was once under the command of the darkness, I now am in command as I activate my authority with words of faith. Growing in the revelation of Christ I am part of a force of righteousness the enemy cannot hold back as my mouth is filled with words of authority in faith.