“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
Now after this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit). 2 And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant [there is much ripe grain], but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no provisions bag, no [change of] sandals; refrain from [retarding your journey by] saluting and wishing anyone well along the way. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! [Freedom from all the distresses that result from sin be with this family]. 6 And if anyone [worthy] of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him; but if not, it shall come back to you. 7 And stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. 8 Whenever you go into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 And heal the sick in it and say to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you. Luke 10:1-9 AMP
The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! 18 And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven. 19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven. Luke 10:17-20 AMP
Jesus sent the seventy out before Him to minister to people – to heal them and set them free. The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name!” And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
The Name of Jesus is not a toy – but a powerful weapon! We should use it with purpose. Don’t think you are the one the devil is afraid of – it is the mighty Name! Immature Christians may get excited about the fact that devils are subject to them – but they need to grow up and realize that it’s not because of them, but because of Jesus. They must realize that the devil is not an enemy to be taken lightly or to be underestimated. They must not be ignorant of the devil’s devices.
The fact that you – as a blood-washed believer – have authority over devils and demons should be a reality to you. It should not be something you take lightly or for granted, but something that is an established fact in your life and in your walk and in your talk. Meditate on the scriptures that are the source of your authority in Jesus Christ. Don’t rejoice that demons are subject to you – but rejoice that you are washed in the blood of Jesus; that you are saved; that your name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Rejoice in your salvation – rejoice in what Jesus has done for you. Keep your nose clean and your attitude humble!
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 NKJV
God sets Himself against the proud and haughty – but He gives grace to the humble. We need God’s grace! First you submit yourself to God – then you resist the devil. Know that the devil is powerless against the mighty Name of Jesus, but don’t take pride in the authority given you – be humbly grateful that God has redeemed you from the devil’s clutches, domination, and influence. Always give the praise, honor and glory to God. The best protection from the devil you can have is to have clean hands and a pure heart!
Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalms 24:3-4 AMP