What practical steps can we take to trust Jesus' authority in our daily lives? The Scene on the Hillside “ There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding.” (Mark 5:11) The demons that called themselves “Legion” knew exactly whom they faced. With a single word, Jesus would send them into that herd. Spiritual powers, animals, and the terrified townspeople alike all had to reckon with His unmatched authority. If a legion of demons and a stampede of pigs submit to Him, so can our schedules, emotions, and challenges. Seeing Jesus’ Authority on Display • He speaks, and unclean spirits flee (Mark 5:8–13). • Nature bows—winds hush and waves calm (Mark 4:39). • Disease yields—fevers, bleeding, and paralysis vanish (Mark 1:29–34; 2:1–12; 5:25–34). • Even death obeys—Jairus’s daughter rises at His command (Mark 5:41–42). Why Trusting His Authority Matters Today • His rule is total: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18) • His victory is complete: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them.” (Colossians 2:15) • His care is personal: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Practical Steps to Live Under His Authority 1. Start the day with His Word • Read a Gospel scene where His authority shines (e.g., Mark 5 or John 11). • Speak it aloud; let His commands shape the first thoughts of the morning. 2. Submit immediately and specifically • When conviction comes, obey without delay—just as the demons had no option but to move. • Replace hesitation with the simple prayerful statement, “Yes, Lord.” 3. Speak His authoritative promises over fear • “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) • Repeat Scripture when worry surfaces, aligning emotions with truth. 4. Renounce any competing influences • Turn from entertainment, relationships, or habits that contradict His commands. • Remember: whatever we refuse to release becomes the pigs on our hillside—headed for destruction. 5. Actively resist the devil • “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) • Stand firm by declaring Christ’s lordship whenever temptation whispers. 6. Walk in community under His rule • Share testimonies of His power, like the delivered man in Mark 5:20. • Let trusted believers speak correction and encouragement, keeping one another under the same loving authority. 7. Celebrate His sovereignty in worship • Sing truths that magnify His reign—songs saturated with Scripture. • Make worship a daily rhythm, not just a Sunday event. Verses to Keep Close • Psalm 29:10–11 – The LORD sits enthroned forever. • Isaiah 9:6 – “And the government will rest on His shoulders.” • Philippians 2:9–11 – Every knee will bow and every tongue confess. • Hebrews 1:3 – He upholds all things by His powerful word. Daily Checkpoints • Am I reading, believing, and obeying His Word today? • Is there any area where I have delayed surrender? • Am I speaking His promises more loudly than my problems? Placing every detail of life—work, family, decisions, and future—under the same voice that commanded a legion is not heavy; it is freedom. Trust His authority, and watch hillsides of fear, doubt, and bondage clear at His word. |
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