Power Shortage

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:5

In the natural world, man depends on natural power sources for progress. Natural power may be as simple as a fire over which dinner is cooked. Without the fire, progress on the meal comes to a standstill. Natural power may also be as complex as electricity which is generated in cities by great power plants. When these plants fail, the power they generate fail. An entire city will experience a blackout. When there is a power failure in the natural world, progress comes to a standstill.

Likewise, the same is true in the spiritual world. When there is a power failure, spiritual progress comes to a standstill. Lives are not changed through the power of the Gospel. The sick are not healed. Demons are not cast out.  Spiritual assignments cannot be completed.

There are reasons for power failure in the natural world. It may be a simple reason, like a fire burning out, or a complex reason, such as a piece of mechanical equipment breaking. When these reasons for failure are identified and corrected, the flow of power resumes.

There are also causes for power failure in the spiritual world. When these are identified and corrected, the flow of spiritual power resumes.

One of the greatest examples of spiritual power failure is recorded in Acts 19; the account of the sons of the chief priest, Sceva, who tried to cast an evil spirit out of a man and failed. The spirit cried out:  

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  Acts 19:15

Then the man, whom the evil spirit possessed, leaped on these young men, ripped off their clothing, and injured them. They fled, naked and wounded, from the presence of the demon-possessed man. The demon knew the name of Paul. The demon knew the name of Jesus. But the names of these young men were unknown because they lacked true spiritual power in their lives.

when we are forgiven of our sins and live our lives according to God's word, our name is known is Heaven. It is written in the Lamb's book of life: 

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.  Revelation 21:27 

But, is your name known in Hell? Do you have enough of the power of God flowing in your life that demonic powers recognize your authority in the name of Jesus?

These men used the name of Jesus in trying to cast out the demon, but it did not work. 

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.    Acts 19:13

The name of Jesus is not a magical charm. We must possess the power given through the gift of the Holy Spirit behind it. We must recognize and possess the authority of that name.

In the hour of crisis we will face defeat if our name is not known in Hell. These men could not conquer Satan on the basis of Apostle Paul's experience, knowledge of Jesus and neither can we. We must know God for our self.  Only when we have God's power manifested in our own life can we defeat the works and influences of Satan. If we are so powerless that our name is not known in Hell, we will flee wounded and naked before the enemy.

Spiritual power failure will occur in our lives when there is:

Ø       SIN:  Sin separates man from God. When you are separated from God, His power cannot flow through you.

In Romans 7 Apostle Paul describes his struggle with the bondage of sin. Romans 8 describes his liberation. As a believer, Apostle Paul had the same battles with sin which we experience, but he learned to overcome the law of sin which worked in his flesh. Because of this, his life was open to the flow of God's power.

When a sinful man named Simon offered money to obtain spiritual power, Peter answered:  

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:21-23

Repentance from sin and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ is the only way to bridge the gap of this separation. Sin separates us from God's power. When Jesus returns again:

. . . In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Thessalonians 1:8

those who are in sin will:  

. . . be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.  2 Thessalonians 1:9

In the end, sin will result in eternal separation from the power of God.

Ø       BONDAGE:  Bondage can prevent the flow of God's power in our life. Bondage is not sin in itself. They are things or practices that become so important to us that we are brought under their control. Apostle Paul wrote:   

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.    1 Corinthians 6:12 

Anything in our life which consumes our thoughts and interests is a bondage. We are brought under its power.

It may be a hobby or habit. It may be attitudes of timidity and fear which prevent us from acting in faith and power. Such bondages result in power failure because we are brought under their power instead of the control of the Holy Spirit.

Ø       VIOLATION OF POWER PRINCIPLES:  Violation of these principles – power of the gospel, power of the Holy Spirit, power of the anointing, power of love, power of prayer, etc. -  results in power failure. We must continually examine our life and ministry in relation to these principles, especially when we experience power failure.

Ø       REIGNING INSTEAD OF SERVING:  When spiritual power is used to reign instead of serve, power failure results. 

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:25-28 

This scripture shows that God's power structure is not as that of the world. The worldly concept of power is to reign over others and control them.

From childhood, we struggle for worldly power. We try to control and manipulate our parents. We seek power in society, over our environment, and even try to predict and control the forces of nature. Worldly power can become a god that controls us.

Biblical power structure calls for serving and meeting human need through the manifestation of the power of God. Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers on this subject. As the great Apostle of the Church, Paul had authority over this group of believers. But he did not misuse this power. He told them:  

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power: but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  1 Corinthians 9:12

Apostle Paul did not abuse his spiritual position. He did not reign over the Corinthians, rather he served them:  

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.  2 Thessalonians 3:9

Ø       PERSONAL PROFIT:  Apostle Paul also wrote the Corinthians concerning power for personal benefit. He said:  

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?   1 Corinthians 9:11

Apostle Paul labored among the Corinthians and sowed spiritual seed. He had a right to receive from them their "carnal things" in terms of financial support. But he did not abuse this power. He would rather suffer than abuse spiritual power and hinder the work of God.

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.   1 Corinthians 9:12

Jesus was tempted by Satan to use his power for personal profit. Satan tempted Him to make stones into bread and to prove His power to the people by jumping from the top of the temple. Jesus refused.

When Jesus was suffering intensely on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He could have called 10,000 angels to come and rescue Him 

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?   Matthew 26:53 

He refused this display of power in order to accomplish the higher purposes of God.

Ø       EMULATIONS:  A form of envy expressed by imitation of others

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Galatians 5:20

As stated above, this was a problem which resulted in power failure in the early church. 

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  Acts 19:13 

This text speaks of those who took it "upon themselves" to try to cast out demons in imitation of the ministry of Apostle Paul. When you try to imitate the ministries of others, you can experience serious power failure as did these men.

Ø       WRONG MOTIVES:  Do not conclude that because spiritual power is sometimes misused that it is evil. Spiritual power which flows from God is good, but it can be abused and used for the wrong reasons with the wrong motives.

The original sin of Satan resulted from a wrong motive of seeking power. The same is true of man’s first sin which was committed while seeking the power that comes with knowledge.

James and John once wanted to call down fire from Heaven to consume those who opposed Jesus. What a miraculous demonstration of power that would have been! But their motive was wrong. Their motive was to take revenge on these enemies. Such a display would have been an abuse of spiritual power. Jesus told them:  

. . . Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.   Luke 9:55-56

Improper motives result in an overbalanced emphasis on power. Jesus warned His disciples:

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. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.   Luke 10:19-20

Ø       UNBELIEF:  Perhaps the greatest reason for spiritual power failure is unbelief. Unbelief affected even the ministry of Jesus:  

And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.    Matthew 13:58

The demonstration of God's power can be affected by the unbelief of those to whom you minister. It also can be affected by our own unbelief (Refer to Matthew 17:14-21)

Ø       LIMITING GOD:  There is no limit to God's power, but we can impose limits as to how it can work in and through us. Apostle Paul indicated that God is able to do above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us:  

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.  Ephesians 3:20

Something to think about - God sometimes does not do what we ask or think (much less abundantly above it) because we do not allow His power to work in us.  Let us do all things with the same love, mindset and purpose as Jesus!

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Philippians 2:5

(Biblical Study)






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