It Takes More Than the Knowing the Name

In 2 Corinthians 10; Paul provides a defense of his ministry to the Corinthians. There was a movement against Paul by some at Corinth because they assumed his actions would not match his words. Generally I have seen that when we interact in person with individuals we have attendance to be more patient with them. Being able to see what is really going on has a way of making us measure our response. However, in Paul's case he was writing them to give praise for what they were doing right and instruction on what they needed to fix while he was away. Ever leave a not for your children listing what you expected them to do while you were gone or telling them you loved them. That's what Paul's epistles really are. Have you ever come home to find out that the children chose not to do any of what they were told? Do you show them the ugliness that resides in all of us or do you measure out punishment or wrath based on the circumstances? This is what Paul faced this attitude of a father patiently training their children requires a gentle touch. Those at Corinth who wanted to challenge Paul's authority saw it as weakness and used it to stir up strife in the church. Paul's response though is simple his authority is based on what they have witnessed the Holy Spirit do through him. He tells them in verses 3-6,

"³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." NIV

We see this verse quoted a lot by people claiming authority over sin in their lives or the lives of others but I think we often miss the statement made in verse 6, "when your obedience is complete." Our power through the Holy Spirit is present only when we are obedient to those God has placed in authority over us. Ouch!!!

God established His church with certain roles and positions of importance knowing your role and being obedient to it is a critical part of keeping the church healthy. I believe today the positions of Apostle, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers still exist to equip the church. (Ephesians 4:11) The problem comes when we fail to follow our leadership. You see that is sometimes a double edge sword. The leadership must be following the Holy Spirit so everyone answers to a higher authority.
To many churches are missing one or both of these levels of obedience. We are called to keep ourselves in check so that we do not hinder the work of God's Church in the world today. 

If you think I am making it up look at Acts 19:13-17,

 "¹³ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” ¹⁶ And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all^[d] of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled." 

The sons of Sceva thought they had the power because the new the name of Jesus but the truth is knowing the name is never going to be enough the power comes through obedience to the Holy Spirit and those in authority over us that Jesus sent to empower us for the work. Today are you being obedient to God through the guiding of the Holy Spirit and those appointed to lead you? If so you have authority to breakdown every stronghold that binds you. 

Be Blessed and Learn to Walk in His Word