Victory and Authority in Christ
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
All believers in Jesus Christ are called to preach the gospel and to minister to people through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also promised that if we obey in faith, He will accompany our obedience to His Word with signs and wonders! In the passage above, Jesus went on to say, “In My name they will cast out demons”. Here, many Christians will say, “Me? Seriously?”
Ephesians 1:20-21(NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
As Christians, we need to know we are seated in the heavenly places, so we can stand before the foe in victory and authority. We are in Christ; we are part of His body and in union with Him. The devil is not on a par with Christ, and because we are in Christ, our position is also above the devil, whose rightful place should be under the feet of every believer!
To clear up a common misunderstanding, Jesus never asked us to cast out the spirits of those who have died, because once a person passes from this life, they cannot return. Instead, Jesus is referring to demons—fallen angels who rebelled with Satan. What He calls us to do is to set free those who are oppressed or possessed by these evil spirits, using the authority of His name.
Demons are spirit beings that roam the earth, seeking somewhere to dwell—in people or places. They are drawn to strongholds created through practices of darkness, such as spirit houses, idol worship, sacrifices, spiritism, fortune-telling, consulting mediums, new-age practices, Ouija boards, crystal gazing, drug abuse, alcoholism, and prostitution.
At times, demons may manifest through individuals. At other times, a believer may simply discern their presence through the gift of discerning of spirits—one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Some Christians also fear that when they cast out demons from someone, the demonic spirits might enter them instead. Believers cannot be demon-possessed because the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. The defeated foe can never overcome the Holy Spirit within us, nor can it cohabit with the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
The devil has no more power over us because we are no longer in the kingdom of darkness but in the Kingdom of Light, and we should enforce the victory from the position of being seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
Reflection: How does knowing your position of victory and authority in Christ motivate you to step out of your comfort zone and minister to others by the power of the Holy Spirit?
Sermon Series：Jesus Ministers Through His Body After the Resurrection
