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. -Luke 10:19

These words from Jesus remind us of the authority He gives to those who believe in Him. Just as He empowered His first disciples to overcome the devil and demonic power, He continues to empower us today.

Mark 16:17-18 tells us: These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. The power to do these things is part of the inheritance of every believer who walks in faith and obedience. However, it is possible for us to limit what God can accomplish in and through us.

Psalm 78 recounts the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and points out their tendency to limit God. Verse 41 says that again and again they tested God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. Despite experiencing His mighty hand delivering them from Egypt and miraculously providing for their needs over and over again, they doubted His power and rebelled against His instructions. This prevented them from fully embracing all God had promised.

To walk in the authority promised by Jesus and avoid limiting God like the Israelites did, maintain your confidence in Him. Embrace His power and ability, not your own. Speak life, act in faith, and boldly share what God has done and still does today. As you do so, you will experience His power manifesting, transforming not only your life but also the lives and circumstances of others for His glory.