How can we receive true spiritual power?
2 Corinthians 3:5It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
Colossians 1:15-16Christ 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. . . . Everything was created through him and for him.
2 Thessalonians 2:9This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
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 grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
The more we recognize our weaknesses and limitations, the more we understand God’s power at work in us. Strength can make us proud and self-sufficient. We don’t feel that we need to rely much on God or others when we are very good at something or have great authority. That is why God often works through our weaknesses—if we let him—because then there is no doubt that it is by his power and not our own that the task gets done.
2 Chronicles 16:9“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
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.
John 15:5“Yes, 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 too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
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.
Mark 9:29Jesus replied, “This kind [of evil spirit] can be cast out only by prayer.”
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.
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, 12While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. . . . When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.
Ephesians 6:18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
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!
Communicating with God fuels our spiritual life. If we want to operate an electric appliance, we must first plug it into the source of power. So it is with spiritual power. We 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 wants you to accomplish and the specific challenges he wants you to face.
Ephesians 6:10-17Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 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 4:7-11Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 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. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.
God gives us all the power we need to stand firm against Satan’s attacks. He provides armor for us comprised of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and prayer. Then he instructs us to put it on. Knowing we 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 us also wants to train us for his service.
John 15:5“Yes, 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 is time to humbly re-examine your connection with Jesus.
