21 Question Test of Spiritual Maturity
Walking in Faith & Authority
Fact: The devil tries to hide the fact that we are rich, healed and whole, but never forget that Jesus has gone through so much for you to have jurisdiction in the earthly and spiritual world.
Luke 10:19 (Amplified Bible) Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Through salvation, we have overcome the hostile hold of the devil. My definition of authority is jurisdiction, territory of law, right to control, power to enforce. Everything should line up with the Word of God in your life, and if things are not lining up, exert your godly authority.
The devil’s mission is to put enough pressure on you to the point that you back up off of your faith (John 16:33). However, you have to be determined to commit to your faith and believe the Lord for all of the promises He has already given you. Study the verse Mark 11:22-24 and commit to your faith so that you can receive (violently take) your blessing that awaits you!
Mark 11:22-24 (Amplified Bible) 22And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. 23Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
Always Stand Firm
Sometimes your own family and friends don’t respect the God in you. They may not be sensitive to godly principles which may cause them to do or say things to hurt you. However, any time that you are offended (accept the offense), you have fallen in satan’s trap. You have to understand who you are dealing with and know that the enemy will use anything he can to shift your focus away from the Lord. He hates you and is never at ease. But the good news is that you obtain faith and strengthen your authority by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). As you remain connected to Him, you will never get tired of the kingdom life. Constantly listen to and meditate on God’s Word because It is your medicine. Life is found in the Word (Proverbs 4:22)! Remember that in every area of your life, you have authority over the devil (Psalms 103:2)!
Establish Your Faith
Be committed to God; don’t play around with doubt. When you doubt, you are wavering and are not stable. Some people don’t understand the covenant of grace and mercy. And when they don’t believe, it severs the cord of grace. Below are some things that you can do to put an anchor in your faith.
James 1:6 (Amplified Bible) Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
· You can’t resist the devil if you don’t submit to God. The devil will run in terror from you when you recognize the power that you have over him! When he tries to creep up in your life, immediately go in the offense and cast him out (James 4:7, Ephesians 16:12)!
· Check the source of your confidence. Who do you put your trust in (1John 5:5, John 10:10)?
· What are your expectations (Psalms 5:3)?
· What do you believe is happening right now? This is a faith check.
· Do you have the Word stored up in your heart (Psalms119:11)?
Hoard and reserve the Word in your heart so that you will remember who you are, and what you have in the Lord. Only speak faith and walk in your authority!
Love,
Dr. Joyce Oliver
21 Question Test of Spiritual Maturity
Breaking Free from the Enemy
Fact: The enemy doesn’t want you to know that you have power over him. All of his works have been destroyed (1 John 3:8, 9).The devil wants you to remain in bondage, but Jesus Christ has set you free! However, if you are not aware, he can hold power over you through deception (Galatians 3:23). Break free from his hold and live the life that God destined for you to have!
Deliverance from the Prison of Habits
Bad habits are practices that pacify us and are used to help us cope with our needs or pain. Evil habits are established by ignorance and repetition. Evil habits are also coping mechanisms that are used to soothe our emotional imbalances. Examples are drugs, alcohol, sexual addictions etc.
Evil habits cannot be stopped; they control us instead of us controlling them. But as Christians, our lives should be filled with Godly habits that include prayer, reading the Word, living by faith, financial giving, and consistent church attendance. Christians who knowingly sin should feel uneasy. If Jesus is in your heart, then going against His Word should be a struggle—not something you automatically (or happily) do. People who are comfortable with sin are probably not saved. And if sinning isn’t difficult for them, then they’re on their way to Hell.
Hell is a vile, horrid, spiritual location outside of time. It is full of hopelessness, regret, and pain. Hell is eternal punishment for the devil and his criminals; it was never meant for men. Hell has no prejudice. It is an eternal, federal prison.
There is good news because the key out of Hell is salvation—a free gift made available to all people! It is the gift of Jesus Christ that cannot be earned. When Jesus came to earth, He freed us from the prison of sin and the sentence of Hell. Through salvation, you have power over the devil! Whatever you bind on in the spirit realm is bound in the earth. Below are is a list of hell sent prisons that the enemy tries to lock you into.
Luke 4:18 (Amplified Bible) The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]…
The Prison of Fear
Fear gets people to meditate on what they don’t want to happen, yet that fear is what draws the negative event to happen in the person’s life. Anything that brings fear is not from the Lord. The effects of fear can be emotionally (even physically) paralyzing, and it causes people to make poor choices (1 John 4:18).
The Prison of Guilt
When Jesus died for us, we were forgiven once and for all. Don’t let the devil rub your face in mistakes that you have made (Romans 8:1).
The Prison of Soul Ties
Our relationships determine our fate in life. One example of an unhealthy relationship is a soul tie. It is a damaging and stressful union that a person is entangled in. It is harder to escape from soul ties when sexual activity is involved—especially between those that are not married
(2 Corinthians 6:14).
Are you imprisoned?
If you are struggling with an area in your life, you may be imprisoned. Review the questions below and if you identify yourself, don’t worry. Instead, thank the Lord that He has provided your freedom as long as you trust and obey Him!
· You are imprisoned when a physical release (satisfaction or pleasure) you seek no longer meets the need but becomes the need.
· You are imprisoned when you abstain from something and you experience physical effects.
· You are imprisoned when you have lost all control over your life, actions and thoughts.
· You are imprisoned when physical pain is induced if you are trying to stop a habit.
Break Free from Every Bad Habit!
· Refuse to be a slave to sin. As we consistently hear the Word, freedom comes.
· Acknowledge that you are struggling with a habit and replace it with the Word of God.
· Forgive. Unforgiveness causes shackles to form in your life.
· Change your conversation by confessing victory over the habit.
· Fill yourself with the Word of God and by walking in your purpose (Matthew 12:43-45).
· Build your faith by speaking in tongues. Remember that the enemy’s attacks are spiritual so you have to conquer him by the Spirit of the Lord (John 1:20).
· The enemy will try to come back and test you, but stand firm on the Word of the Lord (Matthew 12:43-45).
Love,
Dr. Joyce Oliver
eocdestiny2009.wordpress.com 