Luke 10:16-18
New International Version (NIV)
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Thank you for staying with me so far. I appreciate every feedback I have received since I started the series. I am equally learning from others.
This is the fourth post in the series. The links to the previous three posts are below.
Today, we're skipping to the account of the seventy disciples Jesus sent out IN HIS NAME. I know a couple of us are uncomfortable with demons. Actually, I'm one of the "couple", lol. I wanted to skip this verse too but I was led to stop and read again. Then, I got the message I am about to share.
We know demons are rebellious and disobedient, right. In Nigerian street language, "dem no dey look Uche's face". In spite of the rebellious and disobedient nature, they submitted to the disciples that had the power of delegation to use the name of Jesus.
They did not necessarily have to like the way the disciples were dressed or how the disciples addressed them. They obviously would not have liked what the disciples were telling them to do. However, they understood authority enough to know that they had to respect the Name of Jesus. For as long as the disciples had the authority to use the name of Jesus, the demons had to submit to the Name.
On the part of the disciples, they had to follow Jesus' instructions to the letter in order to retain the delegated authority. Imagine if one of them had decided to cast out demons in his personal name. Or if someone that Jesus did not send decided to go with the sent ones? Is that not what happened to the Seven Sons of Sceva? They tried to cast out demons in the Name of Jesus without delegated authority. They got the beating of their lives. The people became afraid and those closet magicians masquerading as Christians brought out all their secret weapons. Then, the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19: 14-20)
Women are hopefully not rebellious and disobedient like demons. Our submission is not because of how we feel about the man. Our submission to the husband is because we understand authority. For as long as what the man is asking us to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty, we submit to him. If his requests are ungodly, we are not under any obligation to obey him. You can respectfully disagree and if you are concerned about your personal safety as you disagree, please take the necessary precautions.
Husbands, your wife is only obligated to submit to you when what you are asking her to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty. You can't use submission as a tool of manipulating your wife to do anything you please. Go and sort yourself out with the Almighty if you are experiencing resistance from your wife on the matter you are pushing for. God's response may surprise you. He actually asked Abraham to listen to his wife, Sarah, once when they had a difference of opinion. You are a delegate so your authority is limited to the extent to which you have submitted to the Almighty. You can't be mandating your wife to help you abort the pregnancy you planted in your househelp and be expecting her to "submit". That's a crime and her joining you makes her a criminal too.
I am sure I have not exhausted all that can be learnt in this scripture. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Enjoy your day.
Previous Posts
Submission Series - Sarah and Hagar
http://adf.ly/1gJPNp
Submission Series - Joseph and the Egyptians
http://adf.ly/1gJPas
Submission Series - The Lord and His people
http://adf.ly/1gLimg
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