1Peter 4:1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
How many times have we heard that the battlefield is in the mind?
One of the greatest benefits of ceasing from sin, which James tells us is a consequence of succumbing to mental enticements, is that it enables a holy walk.
Why is that important? Because holiness enhances spiritual authority.
Those who walk in holiness tend to get rapid answers to prayer. Those who constantly fail to lead captive every thought to the obedience (the akouo hearing His voice and obeying it) of Christ are often disappointed in their prayers.
Is sin the issue? No. Sin is merely the result. Is holiness the issue? No. Again, holiness is a product of the personal relationship, the intimacy of the dialogue with Jesus that we keep with Him in the secret place of the Most High.
So what is the issue at stake in arming ourselves against satan's devices? Spiritual authority.
Satan has no spiritual authority of his own. Though Corinthians tells us that he is the god of this world, he is without spiritual authority innately of his own because Jesus stripped him of all spiritual authority and openly triumphed over him.
And in the spiritual realm wherein all conflict is initiated and subsequently wreaked upon the earth (Ephesians 4:12), power is a function of spiritual authority.
So if satan has no spiritual authority with which to war with the saints, where does he get it from?
Usually the unholiness of you and me. We the elect, both the born again and messianic Jewish brethren, hold all the spiritual authority of the indwelling Christ. Thus we can do the things that Christ did and even greater (John 14:12). 
But our stumbling block is often two-fold: we do not know we have such spiritual authority, and we dilute its power through failing to keep an armed mind in fellowship with Christ.
So if you are lacking in any area of your life, consider drawing nearer to Christ in ongoing fellowship, and in dealing with every thought.
This is not a works thing. Spiritual authority is really the by-product of a compass needle fellowship thing. Keep pressing in to the joy of His presence such that nothing else matters, and nothing else distracts, from being close to your First Love, Jesus Christ who died so that you can have spiritual authority to overcome.
Merry Christmas!
Lessons From Jonah
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
5/11/2021
Seek First The Kingdom
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
3/11/2021
Lessons From The Mayflower
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
12/1/2020
He Teaches Our Hands to War
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
6/24/2020
Killing Coronavirus: A Call to Christians
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
2/18/2020
Emptiness to Overflow in 2020
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
1/2/2020
Be Still
Dr Paul D. Norcross
11/6/2019
Confidence in the Lord
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
7/30/2019
Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ
Paul D. Norcross / Cheryl A. Elton
5/21/2019
Starting the New Year Strong
Cheryl A. Elton
1/3/2019
In Whom is No Guile
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
11/29/2018
All Africa Shall Be Saved
Cheryl A. Elton
9/6/2018
A Man After God's Own Heart
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
7/19/2018
Increase Your Power When You Pray
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
4/19/2018
What Satan Meant For Evil
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
3/22/2018
George Müller's Secret to Effective Prayer
Cheryl A. Elton
2/22/2018
Listening For God
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
2/8/2018
Living in the Miraculous: Smith Wigglesworth-Part 3
Cheryl A. Elton
1/25/2018
Living in the Miraculous: Smith Wigglesworth-Part 2
Cheryl A. Elton
1/18/2018
Living in the Miraculous: Smith Wigglesworth-Part 1
Cheryl A. Elton
1/11/2018
In The Secret Place
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
11/30/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 10
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
10/9/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 9
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
10/5/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 8
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
10/2/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 7
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/28/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 6
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/25/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 5
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/21/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 4
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/18/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 3
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/14/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 2
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/11/2017
When the Trumpet Sounds: Part 1
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/7/2017
George Müller: Hero of the Faith
Cheryl A. Elton
5/19/2017
In Heavenly Places
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
3/30/2017
Romans 8:28: Conforming to Christ
Cheryl A. Elton
2/16/2017
Arm Yourself
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
12/15/2016
Let God Arise
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
11/24/2016
Supercharging Your Spiritual Authority: The Role Of Fasting
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
10/20/2016
The Weakness Of The Law
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
5/19/2016
The Answer For Our Times
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
5/5/2016
Cheer Up!
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
3/31/2016
Help! I Need Healing!
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
2/25/2016
The Mechanism of Miracles
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
2/4/2016
My Presence Shall Go Before You
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
1/18/2016
Stay In His Presence!
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
1/1/2016
The Shortest Distance
Dr. Paul Norcross
12/2/2015
Jesus Is Waiting In The Garden
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
9/10/2015
Thirsting For Him!
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
7/18/2015
Let Us Remember
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
7/16/2015
The Lesson of Elijah
Dr. Paul D. Norcross
7/16/2015