Wage Good Warfare

Pastor Alex Hall | December 14, 2025

Walking Under Authority: The Key to Spiritual Breakthrough

In a world that celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, one of the most counter-cultural truths we can embrace is this: we cannot walk in authority unless we are under authority. This principle, woven throughout Scripture, holds the key to unlocking spiritual power, family harmony, and kingdom effectiveness in our lives.

The Roman Centurion's Secret

The Gospel accounts tell us of a Roman centurion who understood something profound about authority. When he approached Jesus seeking healing for his servant, he didn't ask Jesus to come to his house. Instead, he said something remarkable: "Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me."

Jesus marveled at this response, declaring that He had not found such great faith in all of Israel. What was the centurion's secret? He recognized that his ability to command others flowed directly from his willingness to be commanded himself. He wasn't the Roman emperor—he took orders. Yet precisely because he submitted to the authority structure above him, he could operate with confidence in the authority delegated to him.

This same principle applies to every area of our lives today.

Authority Begins at Home

Ephesians 5 lays out God's design for family structure, and it challenges both husbands and wives in profound ways. Wives are called to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord," while husbands are commanded to love their wives "as Christ loved the church"—sacrificially, laying down their lives.

This isn't about domination or control. It's about divine order that brings protection and provision. When a husband leads like Jesus—with gentleness, kindness, patience, and self-control—submission becomes a gift rather than a burden. When a wife honors her husband's leadership, she creates space for him to step into his God-given calling.

Many struggle in their marriages because they've modeled patterns they witnessed growing up—patterns of passivity or control, of Ahab and Jezebel dynamics. But God's Word washes us clean from generational patterns and establishes new, healthy ways of relating.

Husbands, before demanding that your wife follow your leadership, ask yourself: Am I a man under authority? Am I submitted to the Lord? Do I have spiritual fathers and mothers speaking into my life? You cannot expect your family to follow you if you're living in rebellion yourself.

The Protection of Spiritual Covering

When we come under the covering of godly leadership—whether in our families, our churches, or our workplaces—we step into supernatural protection. This isn't about blind obedience to flawed human beings. It's about recognizing that God establishes authority structures for our benefit.

The question isn't whether the leaders in our lives are perfect. The question is whether we trust God enough to honor the leadership He has established. Even when we don't understand, even when it's difficult, there's something God wants to teach us in the season of submission.

This principle extends beyond the home into the church. In 1 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of the prophecies spoken over his life and charges him to "wage good warfare" according to them. Good warfare requires wise counsel. It requires spiritual fathers and mothers who can speak truth into our lives.

Testing the Fruit, Not the Fire

One of the most critical skills for this season is discernment. We live in a time when many are deceived by impressive displays of zeal and fire, mistaking passion for the presence of God. But the Apostle Paul himself was once zealous—zealously persecuting the church.

Zeal and fire are wonderful when directed by the Holy Spirit. But they can also be dangerous when flowing from flesh or even demonic influence. The way we test what's genuine isn't by measuring excitement or emotional intensity. We test the fruit.

Galatians 5 gives us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Condescension isn't listed. Sarcasm isn't there. Manipulation and control—what Scripture calls witchcraft—have no place among God's people.

We must become wise to the tactics of the enemy. Flattery, for instance, is a form of witchcraft. When someone constantly tells you how amazing you are, how much better you are than your spouse or your leaders, beware. They're seeking to gain control through manipulation.

Guilt is another red flag. When people use guilt to control your decisions—"It would be really nice if you showed up for family dinner"—that's manipulation, not love.

The Anointing Within You

First John 2 contains a powerful promise: "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things." The same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus lives in you. You are not dependent on human teachers alone. The Spirit Himself teaches you concerning all things.

This doesn't mean we reject teaching or leadership. Rather, it means we have the internal capacity to recognize truth when we hear it. When someone speaks God's Word in truth, something in your spirit witnesses to it. When lies are spoken, even if they sound good, something feels off.

The key is to abide in Him. Abide in the Word. Abide in prayer. Abide in community with other believers. When we abide in Christ, we're protected from deception. We develop spiritual discernment that can't be fooled by impressive displays or smooth words.

Stewarding Your Season

Perhaps you're reading this and thinking, "But I'm not married," or "I don't have kids," or "I'm not in leadership." Here's the truth: God wants you to steward whatever season you're in right now.

If you can't be faithful with what He's given you today, why would He entrust you with more tomorrow? The faithful steward who invested his master's money was given more. The fearful steward who buried his talent lost even what he had.

What has God given you right now? Time? Relationships? Resources? Gifts? Steward them well. Show up early. Pray more. Give generously. Serve faithfully. These aren't burdensome obligations—they're invitations into partnership with God.

The Promise of Provision

When we step into God's system of authority, submission, and stewardship, we step into supernatural provision. This doesn't mean life becomes easy, but it does mean we're positioned for blessing. God is a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children.

The choice before us is simple: Will we do things our way or God's way? Will we follow our feelings or His Word? Will we live in rebellion or walk under authority?

The pathway to breakthrough isn't found in independence. It's found in surrendering to the divine order God has established. When we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He lifts us up in due time. When we submit to His design, we experience His power.

Today is the day to step into alignment. Confess where you've been living in rebellion. Repent of patterns that don't honor God's Word. And watch what He does when you choose His way over yours.

The anointing is already within you. The question is: will you abide?