The American SEALS (Sea, Air and Land Teams) are probably one of the most formidable forces on earth. For the seals to maintain this high level of formidability, they train 20 hours a day and sleep for only 4 hours. On sea they have learnt to swim with feet tied together. Every year between 600 and 800 attend the 25 weeks training, and at end of the 25 weeks 80% would have dropped out.
Their survival is dependent on their strict discipline and daring to do what others dread to do.
As believers, to maintain our God given authority we must like the American seals learn to walk and live a disciplined lifestyle.
Paul's letter to Timothy his protégé in 2 Timothy 2: 3-4:
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
Scripture clearly shows us that to maintain that level of authority we have been given we must endure hardness; we must be disciplined and mature in our walk with God. Just like the American SEALs we have been called to a life of discipline. Think about this quote from form one of the SEALS team, “this team builds character... if you want to be a SEAL be a SEAL”.
This statement should apply to us as Christians “if you want to be a disciple be a disciple”. Disciples are disciplined followers, who have left everything to follow Christ. To maintain that discipline, we must know that:
1. We are seated with Christ in the heavenlies - Eph 2:6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"
2. Walk in submission - Luke 7:8 "For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
3. Be filled daily with the spirit - Eph 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
4. Seek the things that are above - Col 3:2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." We must always set our affection on the things above where we are seated with Christ.
5. Study, meditate and stand on the Word of God - Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success." As you study, meditate and stand on the Word of God, you become strengthened. The evidence that will follow will be that:
i. You will prosper in all your ways
ii. You will have success
iii. You will have dominion, because every place the sole of your feet touches will be yours for an inheritance
iv. You will have peace
v. You will not be ashamed
vi. Your heart will be filled with melodies, with spiritual songs.
6. Pray without ceasing - James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much."
This is the best training for you to maintain your authority and walk in it. Not forgetting laying hold of your weapons of warfare to pull down strongholds and grow in your authority.
