The Holy Spirit IS the Embodiement of Your Authority Against All the Works of the Enemy (Eph. 1:13)

The Holy Spirit IS Your Authority Against All the Works of the Enemy:

Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Did you know that as a believer, you are heir to a level of authority that Jesus Himself demonstrated in His earthly walk? In fact, Jesus declared we would not only mirror that authority but exceed it:

[Jhn 14:12 KJV] 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

It is sad that preachers and teachers work very hard to tone this verse in John 14:12 down, suggesting that any works we do could never exceed that of Jesus in magnitude but only in numbers because we have as believers and the church as a whole more time to serve God as Jesus demonstrated during the 3 1/2 years of His earthly ministry.

As believers, we dearly need to seek a more robust, deeper understanding of our authority, identity and purpose in Christ. This message explores the profound significance of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, illuminating our authority and empowerment for divine service in the work of the Kingdom, spreading the gospel and also in our own everyday lives. You are sealed! That word in Eph. 1:13 means “stamped with a signet ring.” What does that mean? If you lived in ancient times and you were called to the king’s palace and sealed with his signet ring, how would you understand it and what would you do differently because of this “sealing?”

Ultimate Authority and Authenticity: The signet ring was essentially the king’s personal signature and stamp of approval. When a document, decree, or letter was sealed with the king’s signet, it meant that the king himself had authorized or endorsed its contents. It was a tangible manifestation of royal power and could not be reversed by anyone else (Esther 8:8). This made the seal more legally binding than a written signature, especially in times when literacy was not widespread.

Wow. Do you get that? The seal of the Holy Spirit living in you is an irreversible edict of empowerment and delegated authority. It means you are empowered to go out in your day and see everything you say and do to become as powerful and effective as if God Hisemf said it or did it!

The Seal of God’s Authority

In Eph. 1:13 Paul portrays and likens the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life to the king’s authoritative seal. Now seals usually weren’t applied to a person but to a document. Did you know that Paul spoke of you and I as everyday believers to be “Living Epistles” or letters written by God Himself?

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

You are not only a living epistle, you are a letter from the king, sealed with His royal seal and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the proof of this and constant reminder of how God regards us and what His plan is for our lives. This seal, much like a royal signet ring used to authenticate documents and confer authority, signifies God’s ownership and authorization upon us. It is a divine mark, setting us apart and empowering us to fulfill the Great Commission: to carry the gospel to the world and to live in victory in Christ. This spiritual seal is not merely a concept but a tangible reality, impressing upon our lives the very essence of God’s sovereign power and purpose.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13 KJV).

When does the “sealing” come? After you trust in Jesus as your Savior and He then makes His home in your heart by the indwelling of the Spirit. There is in reality a void in the life of every unbeliever that once we trust in Christ that void is filled by God’s Spirit – by an extension of His own being and person to live in us and work in us with signs following as we seek first the kingdom (Matt. 6:33).

From Authority to Empowerment

Beyond the concept of authority, the sealing of the Holy Spirit ushers believers into a realm of divine authorization, leading to remarkable manifestations of power and answered prayer on earth. This is not merely an intellectual assent to truth but a dynamic filling that enables us to move beyond theoretical understanding to practical application. The Holy Spirit’s presence empowers us to live out our faith with boldness, to overcome obstacles, and to witness God’s transformative power at work in and through us. Daniel prophesied that this would come about:

[Dan 11:32 KJV] …The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].

This “knowing” Daniel refers to is not intellectual knowledge but intimate communion and oneness, such as a married couple would experience on their wedding night. The Hebrew wording suggests this imagery and gives a much deeper and potent understanding of why the Holy Spirit lives in us and the level of relationship that is available to us through this sealing of the Holy Spirit on the occasion of our faith in Christ.

This empowerment is vital for effective ministry and for experiencing the fullness of God’s promises in our daily lives. Jesus didn’t want His followers to do ANYTHING until they received this sealing of the Holy Spirit, and therefore instructed them to gather together and press into and seek this fulness of indwelling that Calvary made possible and in fact necessitated.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 KJV).

The Holy Spirit: A Down Payment of Our Inheritance

The Holy Spirit serves not only as a seal of authority and a source of empowerment but also as a down payment, or earnest, of our future inheritance in Christ. This means that the presence of the Holy Spirit within us is a guarantee, a divine pledge, that all the promises of God—including eternal life, resurrection, and glorification—will ultimately be fulfilled. It is a foretaste of the glory to come, providing assurance and hope for what awaits us. This divine earnest money confirms our adoption as children of God and our rightful place as co-heirs with Christ.

What does it mean to have a “foretaste?” It means that God wants the indwelling of His Spirit in your heart to be equivalent of a little heaven to go to heaven in! An authority to bring heaven to earth and to assert that authority over every condition contrary to God’s promise that you may face or experience.

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:14 KJV).

What is the “redemption of the purchased possession?” It is physical resurrection. The day will come in God’s timeline that not only will your spirit be filled with His Spirit, and your soul blessed with His joy and peace but in due time your very physicality will receive and in some cases there will be those who will walk into their immortality without going by way of the grave!

Living by the Spirit

To walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s seal and empowerment, believers are called to live a life yielded to His leading. This involves daily surrender, prayer, and obedience to God’s Word. Living by the Spirit means allowing His guidance to shape our thoughts, words, and actions, enabling us to bear fruit that glorifies God. Isaiah predicted this:

[Isa 30:21 KJV] 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

This implies a continuous process of allowing the Spirit to transform us from within, conforming us to the image of Christ and empowering us for every good work.

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 KJV).

To live in the Spirit is one thing but to walk in the Spirit is another. God wants you to walk – to progress by steps throughout your life into a level of maturity, power, signs and wonders that beggars belief!

The Spirit’s Role in Prayer

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our prayer lives, interceding for us according to the will of God and helping us in our weaknesses. He illuminates our minds to understand God’s purposes and empowers us to pray effectively. Through the Spirit, our prayers transcend mere human petitions, becoming aligned with divine intentions and unleashing God’s power into our circumstances. This divine assistance in prayer is a testament to the intimate communion available to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26 KJV).

When the Spirit of God prays through us it does so by circumventing the mind and praying directly through your spirit where God lives. The language is unintelligible to man but powerful before God if you will allow your spirit man by God’s spirit to take control of your faculty of speed in order to pray this way.

Reflection and Review

The Holy Spirit’s presence within us is a multifaceted blessing. He is our authoritative seal, guaranteeing our position in Christ and empowering us for divine service. He is the earnest of our inheritance, assuring us of future glory. He guides our steps and empowers our prayers, enabling us to live a victorious and fruitful life for God’s glory. Understanding and embracing these truths is vital for every believer seeking to walk in the fullness of their spiritual identity and purpose.

Call to Action

• Seek a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence and His role in your life.
• Yield daily to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all your thoughts and actions.
• Embrace your divine authority and authorization to carry the gospel to the world.
• Pray with greater expectation, knowing the Holy Spirit intercedes for you.
• Live a life that reflects the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, I come before You today, humbly and with an open heart, yearning for more of Your presence in my life. I pray for the infilling of Your Holy Spirit, that I may be continually empowered and guided by Your divine wisdom. Fill me afresh, Lord, with Your Spirit, that I may live a life that truly glorifies You.

I also pray for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, that He would make His permanent home within me. May He continually transform my heart, renew my mind, and refine my character, making me more like Jesus. Help me to be sensitive to His promptings, to discern His voice, and to walk in obedience to His leading.

Cleanse me of anything that hinders Your Spirit’s work within me. Remove fear, doubt, and all unrighteousness. Equip me with Your power to be a faithful witness, to share Your love, and to serve Your purposes in the world.

Thank You, Father, for the precious gift of Your Holy Spirit. I ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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