do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). How? “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth”

Dependence. The authority we’re talking about is not an independent authority. We have the authority to do God’s will—nothing more, and nothing less.

Pride says, “I can do it.” Humility says, “I can do all things through [Christ], who strengthens me.”

In exercising our authority, humility is placing confidence in Christ, the source of our authority, instead of in ourselves.

In the spiritual realm, if you don’t believe you have Christ’s authority over the kingdom of darkness, you’re not likely to exercise it.

We have the authority to do God’s will. We don’t have the authority to do our will. If we exceed God’s authority, we are operating in the flesh and will be defeated.

Paul said we are not to be anxious (double-minded) about anything. Rather we are to turn to God in prayer, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds [noema] in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). The next verse says we are to let our minds dwell on those things that are true, pure, lovely, and righ

One person laminated a card that she kept with her at all times. The card read, “Where did that thought come from? A loving God?”

Ask yourself: “Did I want to think that thought or those thoughts? Did I make a conscious decision to think those thoughts?” If not, why do you think those thoughts are yours?