THE USE of the NAME of JESUS in SPIRITUAL WARFARE

THE USE of the NAME of JESUS in SPIRITUAL WARFARE                                   (c) DDurek, 2015

I notice some things as we approach this topic. In the past some of God's people have either been: unknowing , unwilling, or unable to use His Name in combat. I have seen how that use of Jesus' Name in prayer has devolved into a few words we add at the end of a prayer as a lucky charm, thinking, oh boy, if I add these words, then I can get my answer. I do not approach this topic lightly. This is not taken from any other source or Bible Study. I have not even looked at my own past teachings and writings. I have studied this topic for years, yet I am taking a completely FRESH look at it. Do not think I am just warming over some leftovers sermons/ teachings. I mean to do an in-depth, thorough look at this important topic.

Although I am not teaching on PRAYER, The WORD reveals things that could hinder our prayers. Have you ever listed them out? Lets try to mention a few things- 1. Closing our EARS to the hearing of the WORD. (Prov. 28:9) 2. Not doing things that please the FATHER. (1 Jo 3:22)  3. Not KEEPING (guarding from loss, protecting within us- Prov. 4:20-23) HIS commandments. 4. Not loving the brethren. (the members of the body) (1 John 3:14-15) . 5. Not discerning the Body of Christ. (1 Cor 11) 6. Neglecting proper marital obligations to your spouse. 7. Asking amiss- to heap on our own lusts/ natural desires. (James 1)  8. Not knowing what it means to ask in HIS NAME. 9. Waiting for  God to do something He told us to do. 10. Ignorance of the WORD.   11. Ignorance of spiritual manifestations, administrations, gifts. (1 Cor 12) Entertaining a spirit of UNBELIEF.  12. Demonic interference/ turbulence. (Daniel 10:12-13) 13. Demonic attack (Job 1)  

Please note the many traditions can actually NULLIFY the EFFECT of the WORD (Mark 7:13) in lives. The Church is BIG on traditions, some good, some not. Note: if we can have things the WORD is silent on, why can't we have things that it (N.T.) does mention?

I notice that its NOT about saying the phrase IN HIS NAME... IT IS DOING it in HIS NAME... see the difference? Again, did He say- add these words at the end of every prayer and you'll be sure to get your answer? Sometimes I think the Church has got lost in an argument about something the Bible never indicated at all: Speaking the phrase "In Jesus Name" vs. how to use actually His NAME.

Notice there are extreme PROMISES we must come to terms with! Matthew 17:20. Mark 11:23-24 

Notice in John 15, He said that if we LIVED in HIM, and HIS WORDS LIVED in US...

There is a difference in the understanding between ASKING in PRAYER and DEMANDING in WARFARE. Demanding the enemy withdraw is different than asking the LORD to do it.  

First let us observe some things about how Jesus operated in His ministry. He came in the Name of the FATHER and did His deeds in the full authority of God, the Father. He told His disciples that as my Father hath sent me so send I you. You may say, "Well that was for His disciples". But note that He later also said, teach them to observe all the things that I have commanded you. (Matt 28)  So that implies that every disciple of Christ, not just the 11 apostles were under this commission. Every believer, or minister, to the degree that they believe it, can exercise the authority Jesus delegated and intended. He that speakes let him speak as the oracles of GOD. Jesus spoke with authority. We are to Do what JESUS DID.

(As an aside- I believe that Christ gets no glory if we don't accept the things he suffered to give us.)

Now as we begin this subject, let us see how Christ came into the world, rather how He ministered. Note He said the following things: My doctrine is not mine, but He Who sent Me. The works that I do, the Father IN me doeth the works. He was operating exclusively by the complete authority of the Father who sent Him. So Who was doing the healing? Jesus or the Father in Him? He also said- I see the Father working, and I also work. By the gifts of the Spirit he foresaw what the Father was going to do through Him and He simply acted it out. I can see Him in prayer, seeing the people He would minister to the next day. Jesus was always GOD, but set aside (emptied himself- the kenosis- Phil 2:70)   His divine qualities as omnipotence, omniscience, etc... to be as  Man. He never ceased being Divine God. Once incarnated, He's never ceased to be a MAN. He is the GOD/MAN. Luke 4:16; etc.

So Christ operated in the authority of the FATHER. He didn't say the words, IN my Father's name- be healed. He just did it. Can you see that much? Then, if Jesus said- His disciples, all of them then and now, were to go into the world exactly as His commission from the Father was, that shows us something about what it means to do things in HIS NAME and authority.

IN modern language lawyers will tell you all about the meaning of delegated authority. But let us digress. Does use of another person's name NOT imply delegated authority? Yes! Where does Jesus tell his disciples to use HIS NAME/AUTHORITY in spiritual warfare/combat?

How does an ambassador go out to represent a country? How are we ambassadors for Christ? What is a representative with FULL delegated authority? Name 2 kinds of POWER in the New Testament Scriptures. DUNAMIS and EXOUSIA. Dynamic, and delegated authority. Illus: I saw a small kid cross the street 182nd and Powell. A big truck was stopped at the light, the kid crossed with confidence, knowing that red light for the truck would keep it in place. If the truck driver disobeyed the law and hit the kid- his life would be forever affected negatively! Dire consequences for the disobedient one. When someone is protected by the law- its an invisible shield that all recognize as binding with real consequences for the lawbreaker. A civilized society must be founded on rules, regulations,  and yet have judges that judge responsibly and with discretion.

Note: the same act can be wrong in one instance, but right in another case. A killing could be justified in certain circumstances. 

We Need to know that we have been LEGALLY delivered from the Kingdom of satan. (Col 1:14) .

We must know what John 16:8 means to our spiritual authority. How is satan judged? what does this mean.

Verses on spiritual authority- Luke 10:9-10; Acts 10:38; Acts 2:22;