Empower: Walking in Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Holy Spirit

To empower means to give power or authority to others. As believers, we are called to empower what is of God while resisting anything that seeks to control us outside His will. This divine empowerment comes through the Holy Spirit, equipping us to walk in spiritual authority and live victoriously. Understanding what it means to be empowered by God versus being controlled by worldly influences is essential for every Christian seeking to grow in faith and effectiveness in their spiritual journey.

Understanding Spiritual Empowerment

What we give our attention to exerts a hold over us. A wise person monitors their activities, words and thoughts, as not everything is beneficial to our spiritual walk. A wise motto to live by is, "I will not be brought under the power of anything" except what is of God (1 Cor 6:12, 10:23). Use self-control (self-discipline) to prevent being enticed away and taken captive by the pull of the old nature (Gal 5:1; Jas 1:14-15). "A person is a slave to what has mastered them" (Rom 6:16; 2 Pet 2:19).

Do not give glory or credit to Satan by continually rehearsing your problems or aches and pains to everyone. Instead, tell people the good things God has blessed you with. Focus on what and especially who is for you, not what is against you (Rom 8:31-39; 1 Jn 4:4). The principle of sowing and reaping is we are highly likely to reap an increased harvest of what we have sown (Gal 6:7-10). Empower the new nature within, not giving allegiance to the old carnal lifestyle, "We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Rom 6:2). We are a new creation in Christ, the old is to be considered dead and unresponsive, but the new life energised by the Spirit (Act 1:8; Rom 8:11, 15:13; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 3:16).

Resisting the Enemy's Influence

Satan has no right or power unless we let him influence or control us. By giving in to temptation, his destructive work is reinforced as we empower or authorize him to be our master. Know what the Word of God says about various issues and do not be pressured to compromise. One safeguard to prevent this is 'don't even play near the devil's camp!' Lot did not keep a healthy distance from the corruption of Sodom and Gomorrah, instead he moved into town (Gen 13:12-13, 14:12). Ultimately he lost all his possessions including his wife because of his decision to get acquainted with this evil city (Gen 19:14-29).

"Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:21). When we choose to obey Christ, we disempower the enemy. Be on your guard so that nobody, including Satan sabotages your position in Christ. Rather than looking at what you are not, look at what Christ is in you. "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me" (Isa 61:1-2; Lk 4:18-19). Instead of focusing on the Lord, as David did, the physical Goliath became a huge menacing obstacle empowered in the minds of the Israelites and this paralyzed them with inactive fear (1 Sam 17:11,24,32,45-47).

Go to the right source

We must be actively pursuing Him; it is not a passive hope that He will turn up. Declare into the spirit realm and over your life His blessing, health and help, 'I claim my spiritual inheritance…I accept what is from you Lord, but reject what is not'. The message is, "Build yourself up in your faith" (Jud 1:20).

As a person thinks in his heart so is he, for out of the heart comes evil (Prov 23:7; Mt 15:19). What has got our thoughts has got us, and we mentally act out those evil thoughts and if a suitable situation presents itself sometimes even in reality. We reflect and live out the nature of the spirit world we are most aware of and connected with, so guard your heart, filling your mind with good, God-honouring thoughts (Ps 119:9,11; Prov 4:23; Phil 4:8). The mental attitude we adopt determines our 'report' – the words we speak out which impact on our future.

Ten of the spies who went into Canaan said, 'We can't do it'. The outcome was they, and all the Israelites 20 years and older, never entered in to what God had designed for them. Only two (Caleb and Joshua) spoke out confidently, "We are well able to" – they lived to possess their inheritance (Num 13:30-33, 14:21-24,29). The words we speak over ourselves are self-fulfilling prophecy, so don't empower the enemy by what you say.

Living in the Holy Spirit's Power

Jesus by His substitution died to provide so much for us. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, He secured our redemption, deliverance, healing, and victory over every power of the enemy. This divine exchange — His righteousness for our sin, His life for our death — is the foundation of all spiritual empowerment (Isa 53:4-5; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24). Everything we need for life and godliness has been freely given to us through Christ's finished work (2 Pet 1:3).

Living in the proximity of Jesus as the disciples did would have been wonderful, however having the Holy Spirit continually live within each born-again believer is much more amazing (Jn 16:7; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 1:22). It is our responsibility to respond to His Lordship, walking obediently, so we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry His presence into a lost world and minister effectively for His glory.

Do I know the Holy Spirit's equipping?

We are not helpless victims dictated to by Satan but rather over-comers through Christ. The Bible says we are only "earthen vessels" so we must not rely on our human ability and wisdom, rather allow ourselves to be used by Him (Zech 4:6; 2 Cor 4:7). As the consequence of His immeasurable power that is at work within us, He is able to carry out His purpose and do far more than we can even think or hope for (Eph 1:19-20, 3:20; 2 Pet 1:3).

We must live in desperate dependence on Him, where we need Him totally recognising that without Him we can do nothing (Jn 5:30, 15:5). As we stay connected to Him His strength flows into us. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." hence the admonition to be continually filled with the Spirit" (Act 1:8; Eph 5:16). We are to habitually live and walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4).

There is so much more than we have utilized

As the Holy Spirit empowers us, Christians should seek to empower others. Our Community Aid programmes, rather than being long-term handouts should be short-term enabling hand-ups, to empower the local citizens to take group ownership and responsibility to govern their own affairs and help themselves. Through this method, motivation and skill level will increase as they take the initiative, make decisions and solve problems being held accountable for the outcome of their actions resulting in satisfaction and competence.

Reflection and Application

What areas of your life are you allowing to have power over you instead of God?
Are you speaking words of faith or words that empower the enemy's work?
How can you more actively pursue and depend on the Holy Spirit's power daily?
In what ways can you empower others rather than create dependency?