How can I have true spiritual power? - Power - TouchPoints

2 Corinthians 3:5It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.

2 Thessalonians 2:9This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.

Colossians 1:15-16¹⁵Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him.

True and godly spiritual power comes from God alone. There are counterfeits and they are not powerless, though they cannot overcome the exercise of God’s power. They must be confronted with God’s power.

2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.

The more you recognize your weaknesses and limitations, the more you understand God’s power at work in you. Strength can make you proud and self-sufficient. You don’t feel that you need to rely much on God or others when you are very good at something or have great authority. That is why God often works through your weaknesses—if you let him—because then there is no doubt that it is by his power and not your own that the task is getting done.

2 Chronicles 16:9The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

John 15:5Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Ephesians 3:19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Psalm 29:10-11The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.

God gives strength to those who are fully committed to him. And God knows who they are. Just as a branch needs to be connected to a tree to grow and thrive, you need to be connected to Jesus to grow and thrive spiritually.

Acts 4:31After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Ephesians 6:18Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

Acts 8:14-17When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 12:5, 12But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him . . . After a little thought, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

James 5:16-17Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

Mark 9:29Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

Communicating with God fuels your spiritual life. If you want to operate an electric appliance, you must first plug it into the source of power. So it is with spiritual power. You must first connect with God, the source of spiritual power. Ask him, not to make you powerful in a general sense but to empower you for the specific tasks he has for you do to and the specific challenges he wants you to face in your own life and in the world.

Ephesians 6:10-17Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power . . . put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil . . . Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1 Timothy 4:7-11⁷ Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.¹⁰ This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.¹¹ Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

God gives you all the power you need to stand firm against Satan’s attacks. He provides armor for you comprised of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and prayer. Then he instructs you to put it on. Knowing you have a pile of spiritual resources and weapons is not the same thing as actively taking them in hand and learning to use them well. The same God who has equipped you wants to train you for his service.

John 15:5Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Spiritual power comes from living in vital fellowship with Jesus Christ. If you are not being spiritually fruitful, it’s time to humbly re-examine your connection with Jesus.