Winter 1984
Spiritual Authority
Wade Taylor
President of Pinecrest

No matter where we are or who we are, we face problems in life. Job 5:7 tells us this: “Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Troubles are not accidental; neither are they coincidental. Rather, they are in God’s program that He might have a people who will choose Him—not because it is easy, but because these are willing to push through life’s problems in apprehending Him. Many give in when troubles come their way because it is easier.

The Lord has created us for a purpose. He desires to bring us into maturity that we may attain to this high calling. “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14). It can be said in another way, “Few will pay the price in order to be chosen.” This qualifying begins after we have received the free gift of salvation which has been amply provided for us on Calvary’s cross. We cannot earn or qualify for this; it is a free gift to all who will believe. But the outworking of this gift of salvation will require much from us when we understand and accept that there will be problems and difficulties in life, and view them rightly. Then we will be able to embrace them and respond to the Lord in them.

There are levels or realms in our spiritual growth. As we mature in the Lord, He desires that we become actively involved with Him in the outworking of this process. For this, we must come into an abiding anointing within and upon our lives, and a sensitivity of discernment in the realm of the supernatural.

The problems and difficulties we face in life come from two main sources, human and satanic, which was brought about through mankind’s rejection of the rule of the Kingdom of God. A proper functioning of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will affect each of these and bring a resultant correction, Jesus said we are to: (1) “preach the Word,” (2) “heal the sick” and (3) “cast out devils” (Mark 3:13-15). A better understanding of this third area of ministry is needed at this time.

Demons are one form of being; principalities are yet another. The Bible does not state the origin of demons, but we know they are disembodied spirits for they seek to inhabit living beings. Jesus said we are to cast them out. We have been given this authority and are expected to use it. But something different is said as to principalities. “For we WRESTLE not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Note the difference, “Demons” – cast them out: “Principalities” – wrestle against them. Thus our approach to these must be different.

These principalities are enthroned in the heavenlies, controlling mankind, ruling nations, cities and specific areas. Isaiah speaks of these as causing all the agony of wars, hatred and strife. “He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and none hindereth . . . How art thou fallen, O Lucifer son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” (Isa. 14:6, 12).

As the Lord’s people overcome in the struggles and battles of life, and as they begin to be seated experientially with Christ in heavenly places and take on spiritual authority, this overcoming authority will begin to displace these principalities and powers. As these are displaced, then will come tribulation on the earth. This time of tribulation is not a date we should look for, but an occurrence. This occurrence is when an overcoming people increasingly are caught up to the throne and begin to “wrestle” in the heavenlies. The Lord is waiting for overcomers who can displace principalities. As these are brought down, then all the calamities and judgments mentioned in Revelation will begin to happen.

There is a parallel between the children of Israel and the Church in this. While the children of Israel were sitting in Egypt, it was easy for them to say, “Canaan is ours! A land flowing with milk and honey, Hallelujah!” But when they arrived, they encountered the presence of giants and walled cities. The walls of Jericho coming down was a type of spiritual warfare, a mighty defeat of principalities. Israel was responding at that time to the impetus and import of the Spirit of God. It was a supernatural intervention, whereby, being led by the Spirit and knowing the voice of the Lord, these principalities that were entrenched were brought down. As the children of Israel entered into Canaan, they began to possess the land little by little, driving out and utterly slaying the inhabitants of the land. This is a type of our spiritual warfare.

Christians often sit in their pews saying, “We are seated with Christ in heavenly places, Hallelujah!” (See Eph. 2:6) But the enemy is entrenched in the heavenlies and must be confronted through actual warfare: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities . . . against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). This means there is a present and active warfare. Just reciting that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places will not accomplish it. There must be an overcoming quality in our lives wherein we enter into a relationship with our Lord in prophetic authority – a “wresting” authority, whereby a victory might be won in the present circumstances and problems we face. As a people come into this prophetic authority and identification with our Lord in being seated with Him in heavenly places, principalities and powers will be brought down.

The Lord is looking for a people today who will come to a level of spiritual maturity that will enable them to take on spiritual authority and begin to wrestle concerning principalities. Just as the children of Israel walked together around Jericho in obedience to the Word of the Lord, we must become part of a prophetic army and be able to function in total harmony and unity. Then will come a bringing down of principalities and a resultant open heaven, a moving of the Spirit of God on the earth as never before.

This is the wisdom of the Lord, using the very humanity that Satan defeated in the Garden of Eden to bring down his kingdom. The Lord is calling us to arise and come up into the heavenlies with Him. It is only as we make ourselves available to the Lord and begin to walk in the Spirit, that this is possible.

The Lord is waiting on us.