The Voice of Authority (Big, Scary Dog)

 By: Carrie Hammye

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?...37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Ro. 8:35&37 

I have a medium sized cupcake of a dog, a chubby Goldendoodle with absurdly curly hair; her name is Brisket. She is the most submissive of dogs and simply sits quietly when another dog runs up on her. Confused, the other dog typically sniffs her, wags its tail, and leaves. 

A few weeks ago, this scenario went off the rails when a Rottweiler came thundering across a lawn, hackles up, and scared Tim, me, and even Brisket. Thankfully the neighbor barked an authoritative order and the dog left. 

Tonight I was walking past the same house, lost in thought. It had been a hard day. My eye started twitching again a few days ago and I had been struggling to speak without long pauses (Traumatic Brain Injuries can cause problems for a long time). Frustration and fear filled me as I wondered if this was merely a setback or something worse. Add to this the washer unbalancing and leaving me with a load of sopping towels, my husband getting called back into work over a minor squabble, and it being too too hot…well, you get the picture. 

The walk was meant to get me back into order and settle my mind. I had begun to get up and over it, praying, reminding myself that setbacks are temporary, and generally talking it over with Jesus when…bam, here comes that dang dog. 

One minute I was standing there stunned, and in the next moment, a voice I hardly knew thundered out of me! I barked an order, “Go home! You get back. Get home right now!” That big, scary dog, well, he stopped in his tracks, tucked his little tail into his hindquarters, and skulked back into his yard. My chubby clearance dog and I walked authoritatively on, and he stayed put in his own yard. 

My brain clicked in, ‘That’s it!’ I thought. ‘I have the voice of authority!’

I immediately used my deep you-better-obey-me voice and told the devil to quit messing with me and my family. I said it in the name of Jesus, in the clear knowledge that I was (and I am) authorized to speak in Jesus’ name and walk in his authority. I felt a sense of power and peace roll right through me. 

The Bible is pretty clear about the power and protection that is ours in Christ. Remember that “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”  (1 John 3:8b) The Bible makes it clear that “no weapon formed against us shall prosper” (Is. 54:17) and “we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16b) The scripture says you are “more than a conqueror” because he loves you! (Ro. 8:37) We are assured that “NOTHING can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro. 8:37)

The devil looks like that huge, angry Rottweiler, but he is a liar - he is no match for our King - King Jesus. 

What “dog” is barking you into a corner, friend? Isn’t it time to use the voice God gave you to tell it to leave you alone? That dog is all bark and no bite when you stand firm and refuse to cower. The voice of authority is yours in Jesus Christ!

1. Consider areas you might be believing in the scary future, rather than God’s saving power.

2. Confess the way you are feeling and ask for God’s help. 

3. Speak and demand the Enemy leave you alone - do it in the name of Jesus and in the sure knowledge of his authority. 

4. Watch the devil flee!