Exousia: Step Into It

 

EXOUSIA: Step Into It

By Rev. Christian White

You know what God’s Word says. So why does that old accusation still stop you in your tracks? Why does fear get to make decisions about your life? Why does one painful experience keep telling you who you are?

I am asking because I want you to recognize what is happening—and remember whose authority you stand under.

When Jesus sent out the seventy, they returned amazed that even the spirits were subject to them through His name. Jesus told them:

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
—Luke 10:19, KJV

The word translated power there is exousia—authority. The disciples did not create it. Jesus gave it to them.

Now look closely at what He named: serpents and scorpions.

When the Serpent Lies

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent began by questioning God’s Word: “Yea, hath God said?”

That is why you must learn to recognize the lie before you agree with it. It may sound like this:

“God has forgotten you.”
“Your past is too ugly for Him to use you.”
“You will never change.”
“You might as well give up.”

When one of those thoughts comes, do not simply let it move in and make itself at home. Stop and ask: “Is this what God says about me?”

If you have confessed your sin and turned to Christ, your forgiven past does not get to define your present life. Bring your thoughts into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). Open His Word. Answer the lie with the truth—even if you have to do it again tomorrow.

The serpent wants your agreement. Do not give it to him.

When the Scorpion Stings

You may be carrying a hurt nobody else can see. Someone betrayed you. You were disappointed again. You are afraid of what might happen next.

I am not telling you that every painful experience is a direct attack from the enemy. I am telling you to pay attention to what your pain is pressing you to do. Is it pushing you toward bitterness? Is fear making you pull away from people who love you? Is shame keeping you from praying?

Take your pain to Jesus. Tell Him exactly where it hurts. Ask a trusted believer to pray with you. If you have sinned, confess it and come back to Him. If someone has wronged you, do not give revenge control of your next step.

Your hurt is real. You do not have to pretend otherwise. But you do not have to let the sting govern your life.

The scorpion wants to control your response. Do not hand it over.

Step Into What Jesus Has Given You

You do not need to wait until you feel fearless. Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil (James 4:7). Take the next obedient step while you are still trembling, if that is what it takes.

And remember what Jesus said next. He told the disciples not to make the spirits’ submission their greatest joy. He said to rejoice because their names were written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

That is where you begin: you belong to Him. His authority is not something you boast about. It is something you stand in as you follow Him.

So when the serpent lies, answer with God’s truth. When the scorpion stings, bring your pain to Christ and let Him direct your response. When fear tells you to retreat, ask Jesus for the courage to obey Him today.

Brother, sister—step into it. Jesus has called you to follow Him, and He will help you Overcome!

Adapted from my message “EXOUSIA—Step Into It” at New Hope Ministries – Paris Church of God.