The Power of Your Believing
Updated: Mar 4, 2020
It has been in the minds of many Christians that the devil is the main reason that they can’t get the breakthrough that they want. Actually, the word of God paints a picture for us in the New Testament that shows the devil has been totally defeated.
It’s Because Of Your Unbelief Not The Devil
When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out a demon, Jesus didn’t say because the devil is too powerful. He said, “because of your unbelief.”
"Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:19-20 NKJV
Unbelief is synonymous with doubt. That’s why in Mark 11, He says if you believe and don’t “doubt” the mountain will move. Jesus puts the outcome of the result on the believer. Satan was dealt with at the cross. The challenge now is our own unbelief and doubt. Luke 10 the disciples were excited because they cast out demons in Jesus’ name. Luke 10:17-20 says:
"Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "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. "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:17-20 NKJV
The Devil No Longer Has a Say
In Revelation 12, it says the accuser of the brethren has been cast down.
"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." - Revelation 12:7-10 NKJV
There’s no longer a place for the devil in heaven; it means that he has no authority. It means he doesn’t have a say in the life of the believer. God said, “Heaven is My throne and earth is My footstool” (Acts 7:49). Heaven is the seat of government. It’s where rulership resides, it’s the final word on every matter. So God has the final word over your life, not the devil.
God Works With Believing
God Is So Just And Fair That He Gives You What You Believe
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you." - Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
God revealed His will to Abram concerning the Israelites.
"Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. "And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. "Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." ... On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates--" - Genesis 15:13-16, 18 NKJV
There were two groups of people who left Egypt; one said God brought us out to die in the wilderness.
"So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! "Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?"" - Numbers 14:1-3 NKJV
Do you know what happened to that group? They actually died in the wilderness; a whole generation.
Another group said God will cause us to live and take the promise land and they did.
"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them."" - Numbers 14:6-9 NKJV
It wasn’t God’s decision the people decided what they’re end will be. God simply gave the people what they believed in their heart to be true.
In Hebrews 3-4, the writer of Hebrews explains that it was because of the people’s unbelief that they couldn’t enter the land of promise.
"For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." - Hebrews 3:16-19 NKJV
"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." - Hebrews 4:1-2 NKJV
In the Church today, there are two groups. One says, “death is inevitable. We’re all going to die.” Another group says actually Jesus brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And it is in God’s heart for you to live.
"but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," - 2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV
So what do I think is going to happen? God is going to give to each group what they believe.
As You Have Believed Let it Be Unto You
Jesus frequently told people that they could receive what they believed.
The Centurion’s servant was healed
"Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! "And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour." - Matthew 8:5-13 NKJV
Two blind men were healed
"When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it."" - Matthew 9:27-30 NKJV
All things are possible to him who believes
"Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. "And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose." - Mark 9:17-27 NKJV
Martha, do you believe this?
Martha thought the opportunity had passed for her brother, Lazarus, to be spared. Jesus tried to help her see that it’s not about the size of the problem, but how much do you believe in the Christ.
"Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"" - John 11:21-26 NKJV
"Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"" - John 11:39-40 NKJV
When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way. He leveled the playing field for everyone. Now, He says I’m going to dish out the kingdom according to your believing. I’m going to dish out the glory according to your believing.
Proverbs 4:23
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Jealously guard what you believe about God and about yourself because your life will flow from that.