God has given us authority to use His power to resist the enemy. But how do we actually exercise that authority?
Do we simply wait for God’s power to intervene on our behalf? Do we somehow command God’s power to work for us?
What I have found is this: God's power is already available to us. Faith is how we access it, cooperate with it, and put it into action.
Take sickness as an example. How do we exercise our God-given authority against it?
First, we refuse to give sickness a place in our thinking. We do not dwell on symptoms or allow a victim mentality to take root. We refuse to identify with the sickness or claim it as our own. Rather than saying, “I am sick,” we choose to agree with what God has said: “By His stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24) and say, “I am well.” Resisting sickness begins in our hearts and mind as we align our thoughts with God’s Word. As we meditate on His promises, faith grows within us, carrying the power to sustain us during the trial.
Second, in recognizing that God has already provided everything necessary for life through Christ, including healing, we trust that His power is greater than any sickness and fully sufficient to overcome every attack. Furthermore, that power is inherent in us and at our disposal. As a result, our confidence is not in our ability to resist, but in God's might.
Third, having established our hearts and minds in God's Word, and being fully persuaded of His faithfulness, we then respond as one who believes God's promise is true. Our faith compels us to act. We do not allow symptoms to have the final say or dictate our expectations. Instead, as wisdom permits, we deny sickness the right to rule in our bodies. and expect God's power to supply the strength, stamina, and ability we need to stand firm, knowing we have the victory! This is faith expressing itself through action.
Faith begins by agreeing with God's Word. Faith grows by trusting in God's faithfulness to His Word. Faith reaches its fullest expression when we act on what we believe and expect God’s power and might to produce the results. Even when circumstances do not change immediately, faith remains steadfast. It continues to stand on God's Word, refusing to draw back, until it sees the manifestation of what God has promised.
We exercise our authority not by waiting for God's power, or trying to exert power in our own strength, but by responding to His already-available power with faith—in our thoughts, our trust, and our actions.
Scriptures to study:
Authority and power are given by God
Jesus taught that believers have been given authority over the enemy:
“Behold, I give unto you power [authority]... over all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19)
We are also commanded to actively resist:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Give no place to sickness in your thoughts
“Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)
“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)
Faith begins by aligning our thinking with God's Word rather than with symptoms or circumstances.
Have confidence in God’s power
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
“All things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)
These passages support the expectation that God's power is more than enough to overcome the enemy's attacks.
Establish Your Mind on God's Word and Act Accordingly
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.” (James 2:17)
The woman with the issue of blood is a great example. She believed first, then acted on that belief by pressing through the crowd to touch Jesus (Mark 5:25–34).
Likewise, Abraham:
“Being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body...” (Romans 4:19)
He did not allow physical circumstances to determine what he believed.
Faith culminates in steadfast action
Faith is not merely believing; it responds.
“Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:9)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23)
“The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work...” (James 1:3–4)
Faith does not retreat when circumstances contradict God's promise. It continues standing until the promise is manifested. Submit to God's Word, exercise your authority, stand in faith, and expect the enemy to yield.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
The same pattern can be applied to virtually any area where God's power and provision are already available through his promises; peace, provision, wisdom, protection, victory over temptation, relationships, ministry, and more. Faith is how we take hold of what He has provided and put it into practice.
When fear comes, faith refuses to give fear a place in its thinking and chooses to agree with God's promise of peace.
When lack presents itself, faith refuses to be ruled by anxiety and trusts God's provision.
When facing a difficult decision, faith relies on God's wisdom rather than being driven by confusion.
When temptation attacks, faith recognizes the authority God has given and acts according to the freedom He has provided.
In every case, the process is the same: Victory comes by renewing our minds with God’s Word, trusting the power He has already placed within us, and acting in faith. As we exercise our God-given authority and resist circumstances that oppose His promises, His power is released through us. Faith serves as the bridge that brings spiritual realities into visible manifestation, enabling us to overcome.