“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28 (NKJV)
We have a God given authority to rule this earth. Though Adam dropped the ball, Jesus picked it up and handed it back to us. This authority is what the enemy wants to keep us, the Church, ignorant about. The devil has power, but not the authority.
One way to operate in our authority is through declarations and decrees. We are to use these to enforce the finished work of the cross. The key is knowing God’s heart and will, and this only happens through intimacy with Him, that includes knowing His word! When we are in alignment with God, our declarations and decrees release God’s will on earth. You know, when Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said to declare the Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). To declare is to state out loud a fact. A decree is to issue an authoritative command. It is an official order issued by a legal authority. The decree only works if it is given by one who has the authority to give it! We have that authority!!!
For example, Jesus didn’t send His disciples out to pray for the sick and the demonized. No, commissioned them to heal the sick and to cast out demons (Matthew 10:1). That same authority has been given to us as well (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18). There is no place in the scriptures that says or even hints that Jesus took this imparted authority back from His disciples. Why would He? Then throughout the New Testament, most the examples of the Disciples (including Paul) was to declare healing and deliverance, just as Jesus did. When Peter and John saw the lame man at the Gate Beautiful, they didn’t stop to pray for him. They replied get up and walk in Jesus name (Acts 3:1-10)!
Our declarations are not demanding God to do something He doesn’t want to do. Our decrees and declarations are the exercising of our authority in demanding His will and desires to be done on earth. We are not demanding God, but that which hinders God’s will. Strangely, we often are praying for God to do something that He has already given us the authority for. There are many times we should declare it instead of praying for it!
A key to the effectiveness of our decrees and declarations is our faith. First, we must believe we have the authority we are speaking in. Demons know when it’s just words. Second, we must keep it in alignment with the word and will of God. This comes from deep ongoing communion with Him. And, operating in your authority through declarations and decrees is not the same as name it and claim it. Our abiding relationship is essential! We are not asking or declaring our will be done, but His! Third, declarations and decrees often proceed from our prayer. It is no wonder that Paul instructs us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Ask God to teach you how to use the authority He has given you to declare and decree His word and will. Ask Him for grace to operate in the authority that is already yours in Christ. Ask Him to show you areas where you’ve been praying yet hitting a wall because the authority is already yours to declare (i.e. healing and demonic stuff). Ask Him to show you any places where you have been asking when you should be declaring. Ask Him to help keep your declarations within the guiderails of His word and His will. Thank Him for the authority that He has given you to declare His will on earth!
