Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get used to things that aren’t right? We see physical sickness, emotional exhaustion, and recurring character flaws, and eventually, we accept them as “normal.” We acclimatize to failure, to sickness, and to unanswered prayers until they become part of our identity. But it is not normal. God loves you too much to leave you in a situation that is less than His best. He wants you to experience the best version of your life, but that shift begins with a choice: you must stop letting the truth slip through you and start letting it produce results.

Identity: The Root of Your Authority

Many Christians struggle with how God speaks to them, waiting for something spectacular. But God works in simple ways. He talks to us all the time, in our hearts, through our friends, and through His Word. The most important thing He is saying is who you are.

In Luke 10:19, Jesus says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” This isn’t a privilege for “spiritual gurus” or pastors alone; it belongs to every believer simply because of their identity.

• You are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
• You are a member of His body, His flesh, and His bones. (Ephesians 5:30)

• You are an ambassador acting on His behalf. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Knowledge of this identity is the only difference between victory and defeat. When David faced Goliath, he didn’t rely on his strength; he relied on his knowledge of the covenant. He knew who he was, and that changed everything.

The Identity Crisis: A Tale of Two Sons

The Parable of the Prodigal Son highlights two distinct mindsets that keep believers from exercising their spiritual authority. Although both characters were sons of the same father, neither was truly walking in the fullness of his inheritance.

The Younger Son: The Prison of Unworthiness

The younger son represents the believer paralyzed by self-condemnation. After failing miserably, he rehearsed a speech: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” Many of us approach God with this “servant mentality.” We think our past mistakes or our current “bad day” have stripped us of our right to use the Name of Jesus. We go to God begging, crying, and punishing ourselves, hoping to persuade Him to look at our situation.

But look at the Father’s response: He didn’t even let the boy finish his speech. He interjected the moment the boy mentioned “unworthiness” and commanded the servants to bring the Ring. In biblical times,  that signet ring was the authority of the estate. The Father was saying, “Your status as a son isn’t based on your performance in the far country; it’s based on your birthright in this house.” You don’t exercise authority because you feel holy; you exercise it because you are a son.

The Older Son: The Prison of Self-Righteousness

The older son represents the believer trapped in legalism. He was angry that a party was being thrown for a “sinner,” boasting, “Lo, these many years I have been serving you and never transgressed your commandment.” He felt he had earned the blessing, yet he complained that he never even received a “young goat” to celebrate with friends. This is the tragedy of many faithful church-goers: they serve, they give, and they attend, but they never enjoy the power of God because they think it’s a reward for their credentials.

The Father had to correct him: “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.“ The authority wasn’t a paycheck for his service; it was an inheritance he failed to claim. If you think you have to achieve authority, you will never use it. You must simply receive it.

This Is Not a Negotiation

The Word of God tells us to subdue. In Genesis 1:28, this mandate wasn’t a suggestion; it was an authorization. When Jesus stood over Peter’s mother-in-law, He didn’t negotiate with the fever. He didn’t ask it to please leave. He rebuked it. Authority is an enforcement of a finished work. Whether it is a mountain of debt or a living thing like a virus or a demonic influence, you do not seek its approval to leave. You demand a change in the Name of Jesus to align with the will of God.

Faith is the Drawing Factor

Heaven does not respond to your needs; it responds to your faith. The woman with the issue of blood didn’t get healed just because she was suffering; she was healed because her faith drew power from Jesus. Faith talks and faith acts. In Acts 3, Peter didn’t just say, “Rise and walk” and then wait to see if it worked. He took the man by the hand and pulled him up. That act of unwavering faith triggered the response from Heaven. The power reached the man’s ankle bones as he was being lifted.

Christianity is Meant to be Lived with Joy

There is a unique joy, a kind the world cannot understand, when you engage the supernatural realm and see results. When you stop talking about your problems and start speaking to them, you move from being a victim of circumstances to walking in dominion. Stop wasting time in long discussions about your struggles. That will not move the mountain. Instead, stand up in your kitchen, your car, or your office, and remind the enemy who you are.

You are a son. You have the ring. Now decree a thing and watch it be established.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, East Orange, New Jersey.