"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who

believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set
him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to
come:
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over
all things to the church,
"Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians
1:19-23).
"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven" (Matthew 18:18).
I REMEMBER THIS
As a child, I was impressed as the saints would stand and request prayer
for various problems. They would mention individuals who were sick and
needed healing. They would ask others to pray for their respective needs.
Everyone was asked to agree together and pray for answers to the needs.
I started attending Sunday School at a very early age. I began reading the
Bible and studying the Word of God when I was eight years old. I was told
God knew everything and could do everything. I believed that then, and I
still do.
As a child I wondered—if God knows everything and can do everything
—why do Christians have to ask other Christians to pray for specific needs?
Why doesn't God just solve the problem without being asked? He knows
it should be done.
Perhaps this is a question you have asked yourself. It is something I hope
to deal with in this message. Possibly a great many questions will be
answered concerning the relationship between God and the human race.
YEARS AGO IN DETROIT
Frances and I conducted an eight-week crusade in 1968 at the
Brightmoor Tabernacle in Detroit, Michigan, which was then pastored by
Bond Bowman. It was, and still is, a great church. God moved in
miraculous ways during our meetings there, and I will never forget it. At the
conclusion of the meeting, Brother Bowman told me that during those eight
weeks, thirty-five families had joined the church and ninety people had
been baptized in water. The income of the church had increased by many
hundreds of dollars each week. It was a tremendous time of spiritual
refreshing.
While conducting the meetings, I went to the church each morning and
afternoon to pray and study for the evening service. Even though there were
two FM Christian radio stations in town, I only had an AM radio in my car.
Consequently, I started listening to a talk show which caught my interest.
The young man who served as host for the program was somewhat anti-
God. And something occurred one day that shocked me. A woman called
and happened to mention God. This triggered a reaction deep within the
host and he erupted in a tirade. He literally shouted into the microphone:
"If there is a God, why does He allow the Vietnam war to continue,
killing thousands of people?"
"Why does God allow car wrecks and plane crashes?"
"Why does God allow little children to die of leukemia?"
And that wasn't all he had to say.
"Christians can talk about how great and powerful God is, but if He is
really that powerful, why doesn't He eliminate all the problems affecting the
world?"
Much as I deplored the manner in which this misguided young man was
venting his emotions, I had to admit: His question was valid. Have you ever
asked yourself the same question? Have you ever wondered why God does
not take care of the many problems that so desperately demand attention? I
am sure you have. This is the question I hope to answer within this
message. And in order to do so, we must go back to the very beginning of
the world.
ADAM AND EVE
In the first chapter of Genesis we are told: "In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth." We do not know exactly when this was because
there is an indeterminate gap between the first and second verses. But we do
know that God spent six days renovating the earth and bringing it back to its
condition of beauty and habitation. During this six-day period He made
man. I believe man was His highest achievement in all of creation.
God said in Genesis 1:26 that man was made "in the image and likeness
of God." Those two words, "image" and "likeness," imply far more than we
are able to comprehend. Man was made God-like in quality. Do not
misunderstand. Man has never been, nor ever will be, God. The teaching
which has become prominent among some sects, that man will eventually
work himself into the position of being God, is totally unscriptural and
erroneous. Even though man possesses many Godlike qualities, he will
always be subject to our Heavenly Father.
MAN HAS A WILL
The most striking factor in God's creation of man is the will of man. In
other words, God allowed man a will of his own. This is of great import in
God's dealing with man and in man's dealing with God.
It sets man apart from the animals. It sets man apart from all of God's
creation as a whole. Man has the power of free choice. He can choose to
serve God—or to rebel against Him. He can choose to love Him or hate
Him. He can choose to curse Him or praise Him. Man has this choice. It is
man's unique quality, and it sets him apart from everything else.
SOMETHING ELSE MUST BE SAID
There is another point which should be brought out. Evolution is taught
in many of our public schools. But, in truth, the opposite of evolution is the
real situation.
Man has not gradually improved over the ages. If anything, man has
degenerated.
When God made Adam, he was not subject to Satan, he had not
experienced the fall, and he had an intelligence far surpassing anything
imaginable today. For instance, Adam gave all the animals of the earth, the
fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea their names. This is an impressive
accomplishment within itself. But it is even more impressive than it appears
on the surface. Within these names is incorporated all the characteristics of
each individual animal. In other words, Adam had to know everything about
each specific animal, fowl, or fish. He even had dominion over the heavens
above the earth.
So, when God made Adam, He represented the ultimate example of God-
given knowledge in man. But look at man today in his fallen state. Look
with pity on the poor drunk lying in the gutter. Cry for the prostitute who is
old before her time. Lament the dope addict who has wasted his life in
debauchery. It seems that God's most prized creation hasn't amounted to
very much.
 The reason for this? Man suffered a precipitous fall—and Satan became
lord of this earth. But in order to fully understand this concept, we must
again go back to the first chapter of the Bible.
DOMINION
In the verse we referred to before (Genesis 1:26), it says,
"...and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
of the air, and over the cattle, and over all of the earth, and over every
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
First, in refuting the "evolutionists," God would not have given dominion
of His beautiful planet earth to some semi-human primate. He entrusted it to
a genius. He gave it to His greatest creation—man.
Within the word "dominion," we have the root meaning "dominate."
Dominion does not actually mean ownership, for God retains the ownership
of the earth. But man, in essence, controlled it. He ruled it, and for all
practical purposes it was his. Adam could do as he wished with the earth.
God made this clear to him. And therein entered Satan.
A WORLD WITHOUT SIN
Before Satan entered the picture, the planet earth was a world without
sin. It was a world without judgment, sickness, disease, or bondage. There
was no taint of sorrow or heartache. Death and war didn't exist. The world
was ruled in love, honesty, sincerity, and integrity—-under God. This was
God’s environment. And because it was, God would come down and talk
with Adam in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8).
God told Adam he could partake of any tree in the garden except the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil. He said, "for in the day you eat this you
shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). But Adam and Eve did partake of the fruit
of that tree, and Adam and Eve did die.
They did not die immediately in the physical sense. That was some time
in coming. But they suffered separation from God immediately, which was
the "death" God was talking about. It would ultimately bring all types of
death into the world.
ADAM GAVE THE WORLD TO SATAN
In essence, what Adam did was this: he traded lords. God the Father, in
all goodness, mercy, compassion, humility, and meekness, was no longer
God of this world. Now Satan would become god of this world. Adam had
every right to do what he did. The world was his by commandment of God
and he had dominion over it. If he did as God directed, it would be a
paradise forever. But, if he disobeyed God—and he did— Satan would
become the lord of the earth.
One may ask, "Why would Adam do such a thing? Why didn't God stop
him?"
This is really not the subject of my discourse. God had reasons for
allowing Adam to do this. But as to why Adam did what he did, I must
confess I do not know. The only way I could answer that would be by
asking another question. Why do many people do the things they do? Why
does the drunkard drink himself insensible, knowing it is causing untold
heartache and destruction? Why does the dope addict push a needle into his
vein, knowing it will cause death? Why do some of you who read this
booklet today continue to rebel against God? The list is endless.
As I said, man has the power of choice. He can make any decision he
wants to make, even though it may do him harm, and those around him.
That is what Adam did. He had the right to make the decision he made,
even though it was a decision which would bring utter chaos. He traded the
world, and all that was in it, for the knowledge of good and evil. It was the
most expensive trade any human ever made. Still, millions are making the
same trade today. They are trading their eternal souls (which will never die)
for the baubles, trinkets, and gadgets of this present world. Truly, they are
of no value whatsoever (II Corinthians 4:18).
THE PICTURE HAS CHANGED
So you see how the entire complexion has changed. God no longer
guides the destiny of the world. Satan has become the god of this world, the
prince of the powers of the air. Even though the world per se belongs to
God, the world system belongs to Satan.
This is where the problem enters, and this is the important fact to
remember. All the evil, problems, difficulties, wickedness, Suffering,
sorrow, heartache, death, destruction, war, cursing, profanity, and disease in
the world today are not caused by God Almighty. Jesus said in St. John
10:10, "The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." So
all the heartaches and difficulties in the world are caused by
Satan. He has the legal right to do what he is doing. He is the author of
sickness, war, destruction, and all such things. Consequently, because Adam
gave Satan the dominion (which God had once given to him), Satan can
now legally use this dominion, as the god of this world, to bring death and
destruction.
 People ask the question: Why doesn't God come down and stop it all?
Simply because God cannot do that. In the legal order of events, God owned
the world systems, but in Genesis 1:26 He gave them to Adam. Adam in
turn, through breaking the laws of God (yielding to the suggestions of Satan
by partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), gave his
dominion to Satan. So Satan has the legal right to do what he is doing. But,
thank God, Jesus came to break the dominion of Satan and will soon put a
stop to it altogether.
THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
The story of the fall of man, and God's redemption of man through His
son Jesus Christ, is the greatest story ever written. He came down to this
world and stripped Himself of His deity. He never ceased to be God, but at
the same time He became man and died for the sins of man. This satisfied
the courts of justice in the halls of heaven. It is sung about in thousands of
songs. It is proclaimed from behind countless pulpits. It is shouted aloud in
innumerable sermons.
"There is a light in the valley of death now for me
Since Jesus came into my heart,
And the gates of that city beyond I can see
Since Jesus came into my heart."
When Jesus died on Calvary and rose from the dead, He bought back—
with His own blood—the dominion and authority which had been given
away to Satan. In essence, Satan's power was broken. He is still the god of
this world, but he does not have the authority he once had. Man can now be
free, and does not have to live under the domination of Satan. Actually, in
Matthew 28:18, Jesus said,
"all power is given unto me in heaven and earth."
This means exactly what it says. Since Jesus' sacrifice, Satan really has
no power except a pseudo-power stolen from the child of God or mankind
in general. In other words, where man once was held in bondage by Satan
and had little choice in the matter, he now, through the death and
resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, has a choice. He doesn't have to suffer
the bondage of Satan, but he can be free by the mighty power of God.
"Once like a bird in prison I dwelt No freedom from this sorrow I felt,
But Jesus came and listened to me And glory to God. He set me free!
The Lord Jesus Christ gained this mighty power, and then—miracle of
miracles—turned around and bestowed this power and authority on His
children in the world.
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall
receive" (Matthew 21:22).
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
"If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14).
I WANT YOU TO NOTICE THE PERSONAL REFERENCE
In each one of these Scriptures, Jesus directs the authority toward the
pronoun you. In other words, He has said whatever you ask; whatever you
allow; whatever you loose; whatever you desire. This is the crucial point.
Jesus has given the authority He bought and paid for at Calvary to His
body, the church.
The child of God has vast power but, all too often, does not realize he
has it. Most Christians live far below the potential of their spiritual
privileges. They walk in ignorance and do not understand the reason for the
catastrophes swirling about them. They take whatever Satan dishes out,
thinking it is their "lot in life." They don't know they can have victory and
power in physical, mental, spiritual, domestic, and psychological areas.
How? Through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ has given His authority to His people. Ephesians 1:22-23
says,
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over
all things to the church, Which is his body...z
This is a simple statement. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. The
church is His body. I ask you a question now. Where are the feet? Of
course, anyone would say the feet are part of the body. This clearly
indicates that all things have been put under the feet of the church. And this
means you and me.
The Lord is simply telling us in this passage of Scripture that every
single problem that comes our way is under our feet. Through Jesus Christ
we have victory over it.
Now Satan will try to tell you otherwise. But the fact is, it is under your
feet. You may not feel like it or act like it. You may not talk like it. But the
Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, states this as a fact! And that's good
enough for me.
 Praise God, victory is mine! The day I learned I had this authority, it
staggered my imagination and changed my Christian experience. Jimmy
Swaggart could no longer be pushed around by the devil. Satan was a
defeated foe. I possessed—through Jesus Christ—great power which could
control events! This is a subject Satan does not want the child of God to
hear or understand. He wants to keep us in the dark.
The moment we begin to understand the authority of the believer, Satan's
domination will begin to break. He will no longer hold sway in our heart
and life, or in our home or business. He will be a defeated foe and he can no
longer do the things he once did.
But sad to say, most Christians don't know or understand their place and
position. I pray that everyone reading this message will begin to allow this
light to flood your hearts and lives. I pray you will begin to use the power
God has given you.
WHAT IS AUTHORITY?
Authority is delegated power! Years ago, before we started flying to our
crusades, we drove from meeting to meeting. On one trip we had to go
through St. Louis, Missouri. I don't remember why we got off the interstate
and took a byway through the city, but I do remember stopping at a red
light.
The traffic was heavy. There was a policeman directing traffic. He was,
like most policemen, dressed in white gloves, leather boots, gun on his side,
and so forth. He was holding up his hand, directing traffic.
Coming directly toward me was a giant tractor-trailer. The policeman
held up his white-gloved hand and the tractor-trailer ground to a screeching
halt. I sat in my car waiting for him to direct us on. I could hear the driver
of the big tractor patting the accelerator and his big diesel roaring. I knew
the driver had his foot on the brake.
Imagine, for the sake of illustration, a driver in that big tractor-trailer not
caring for policemen. He could have eased his foot off the brake and the
policeman couldn't have stopped him or delayed his progress one iota.
Physically, he couldn't have done anything. The giant tractor-trailer was so
much larger than the policeman, it would have been no contest. But the man
in the truck did not dare do such a thing.
If he even entertained such a thought, he did not do it. He knew that
behind that policeman were all the other policemen of St. Louis. If that
were not enough, they could call out the National Guard. And if that were
not enough, they could get the Army, Navy, and the Air Force.
This is what you call delegated power. When God Almighty saves our
soul, He does not hide us like a hermit in some place of seclusion. He sets
us right in the midst of the intersections of life. Satan comes roaring down
on us like a lion seeking whom he might devour. It seems that he is going to
gobble us up. (And, sad to say, many Christians tuck their heads and run.)
They run in fear and defeat. But thank God for those who stand.
If you will hold up your hand and, in the name of Jesus, resist the devil
and command him to stop, he must stop. That is what Scripture says.
Now, there are many reasons why he stops. But one of the main reasons
is this: he knows that behind you are all the holy angels. He knows within
you is the Holy Spirit. He knows that behind the Holy Spirit is the Lord
Jesus Christ. And behind the Lord Jesus Christ is God the Father.
He doesn't dare come up against this type of power. This is authority!
This is the authority you have as a child of God.
So when you stand in the intersections of life, with Satan coming against
you with every type of problem he can bring your way, do not run. Don't
fold over in defeat. Hold up your hand and, in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, command Satan to stop! The Lord Jesus Christ promised,
"Whatsoever you bind (or stop) on earth, shall be bound in heaven.
Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
So you see, the problems of this world are caused by Satan. And, sad to
say, Christians allow them to happen. I am not trying to say that every
minor incident is caused by the failure of the child of God to exercise his
authority in the Lord Jesus Christ. But many things are!
Naturally the Christian cannot help what the unsaved person does. He
cannot force the sinner to give his heart to Jesus or to conduct himself
correctly. He has no authority over other individuals. (We will come to this
in a moment.) But he does have authority over the spirits of this world!
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Years ago I applied for the purchase of a radio station in the city of Baton
Rouge. Our city did not have a station airing any type of Gospel
whatsoever. Every time you turned on the radio, you heard rock, bop, pop,
or something of that nature. My heart longed to see a Christian station in
the city of Baton Rouge.
 I heard of one that had gone bankrupt. A friend of mine told me that I
might be able to acquire it. We made application for it. Then I journeyed
with my lawyer to Washington D.C., trying to persuade the FCC
commissioners to allow us to buy the station.
The head of the FCC at this particular time interrupted his vacation to fly
back to Washington to inform us we could not have the station. It was going
to be put out for bids and anyone would be able to apply for it. It would
probably take eight or ten years for a settlement in the courts.
Now it would have been very easy for me to just give up. What was the
use? It looked hopeless. Even my own lawyer said it was hopeless. It was a
fight we couldn't win.
I remember going before God one day about the station. I prayed these
words: "Lord, maybe it is not Your will for us to have this station, so I will
just say, 'Give it to us if it is Your will.'"
The moment I said that, the Spirit witnessed that I was in error. It
sounded very holy. It sounded very humble. It is what many Christians say,
and it should be said in some circumstances. But this time it was wrong!
The Spirit of God spoke to my heart.
He said, "Son, wouldn't it be my will to have a radio station airing the
Gospel? It would bless people, rather than rock and roll and the types of
music that now flood the airwaves." Certainly this was obvious.
I said, "Lord, surely this would be Your will."
The Lord told me to immediately ask forgiveness for making such a
statement, and then to quickly begin confessing that the station was going to
be mine. If I didn't start immediately, we would lose the station.
I can't explain all this. I can only report what happened. I stood there
stunned. It is an experience I will never forget. I can take you to the spot
where I was standing in my prayer room. I remember the sinking feeling
that came over my spirit when I started praying, "Lord, give us the station if
it be Thy will."
You see, I was exerting a measure of authority over Satan, but the
authority was beginning to weaken. Naturally, Satan was taking advantage
of this. The moment I asked the Lord to forgive me for what I had said, and
started thanking Him for the station, faith flooded my heart. I knew I was
back on the right trick.
I said, "Lord, it is mine! I can hear the Gospel music playing over it now.
I can hear the preaching of the Word."
 No telegram suddenly appeared saying the station was mine. But in my
spirit, by faith, I called that which wasn't, an accomplished fact. And I knew
then I had it.
In that same encounter with God, I remember sinking to my knees,
sobbing uncontrollably. The Spirit of God was upon me very heavily. I said,
"Lord, I have tried everything I know. We have gone to Washington, D.C.
We have solicited the help of some of the most powerful politicians in the
country. But the FCC has turned us down and said we could not have the
station. What more can I do?"
He said to me, "Son, your problem is this. Some four of the FCC
commissioners are men who lean toward socialism. They have no sympathy
for the Gospel. This is your problem."
"Agree with someone who has faith as you do, that these men will be
removed from office. Then men will come in to take their places who
support the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by radio."
That is exactly what I did. Frances and I agreed together that those four
men, including the Commissioner, would be replaced with good men. Oh,
this is where the child of God must make a stand. This is why Scripture tells
us, first of all, to pray for those in authority over us.
We are so accustomed to complaining about politics and world events,
we never realize that complaining is not the answer.
I believe if the Church of the Living God, which is more powerful than a
thousand General Motors, would band together—in agreement—to believe
God for the problems of this present world, most of them could be solved.
I believe that the child of God, with the body of Christ, could control the
economy, politics, legislation, and most of the things taking place in the
world today. Again, I am not saying we can produce a Utopian paradise.
This will not happen until Jesus Christ comes back (and thank God, He is
coming). But many problems, through the authority Jesus Christ has given
us, can be controlled! If we will only agree together and take authority over
Satan, victory can be ours!
OH, I HAVE TO SHOUT!
In four months' time, four of the FCC commissioners, including the
Chairman, were looking for jobs! No, I can't explain it. Some of you may
not even believe it. But it happened.
And almost without exception, the four men who took their places were
Christians, or at the very least, men who were sympathetic to the
presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The man who became the
Chairman was a born-again Christian!
One of the men was a preacher of the Gospel. He sent an FCC lawyer to
my attorney's office. He laid papers on his desk. "Tell Jimmy Swaggart," he
said, "that he has the station."
My lawyer told me it was something that, to his knowledge (and he
worked for many years in radio and television broadcasting), had never
happened before.
Since that moment, better things have happened in the field of Gospel
radio and Gospel television than ever before in history. Some might say this
"just happened." Well, people can say what they want. But I know what
God spoke to my heart, and I know what happened. And that's good enough
for me.
Some might even venture the question, "Would you be so foolish as to
believe that one lone Christian could change the structure of the
broadcasting system of the Federal government?"
Yes, I do. I do not feel matters of great moment should be challenged on
a whim. But in certain circumstances, things can be changed. My
confrontation with the FCC convinces me it's possible.
EVIL SPIRITS CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE CHILD OF
GOD
Here again, this is where the authority comes in. In the early part of this
message I said we do not have authority over people. If you think, as a child
of God, you can pray and order someone to do something, I have news for
you. It will not work!
Remember, in the Garden of Eden, even God Almighty would not force
Adam to refrain from eating the forbidden fruit. Likewise, God will not
force man to do anything on the strength of your prayer.
Man is a free moral agent. He has to come of his own volition. So you
see, your authority is not over mankind. You can't manipulate men like
pieces on some celestial chess board. It just doesn't work that way.
God Almighty does not operate that way. He will deal with man, impress
man, and move upon man. But He will never make, force, or coerce him to
do anything.
But this doesn't mean we are powerless. Even though we do not have
authority over mankind, as Christians we do have authority over the spirits
of darkness. The fact is that the world's problems are caused by evil spirits
under their master, Satan. Entire nations are governed by evil spirits.
Households are controlled by evil spirits.
We wonder why people do the terrible, unbelievable things they do. It is
because evil spirits are dominating these people, influencing and driving
them. Do not misunderstand. That does not mean everyone is "demon-
possessed." Actually, there are very few people who are demon-possessed. I
personally believe that all demon-possessed people are either insane or
demented to a greater or lesser degree. But I also believe that every unsaved
person is more or less controlled by demons. Again I emphasize, this does
not mean demon-possessed. But it does mean influenced by demons.
Even Christians can be influenced by demon spirits. This is why there
are sometimes problems in churches. And this is why pastors, instead of
fighting with combative individuals in their churches, should take authority
over the evil spirits who are behind the actions of these people.
Some may ask, "How can Satan compel Christians to do certain things?"
The answer is fairly simple. It is because many Christians have
shortcomings in their lives. Satan takes advantage of these failings and
causes problems. But the fact remains, it is evil spirits who cause the
problems. If the pastor would take authority over those spirits and command
them to depart, most church problems could be solved with no confusion.
And this holds, of course, for many other situations.
THE QUESTION MAY BE ASKED
Some may ask the question, "Brother Swaggart, suppose I take authority
over Satan respecting the drinking problem of my husband, or the
waywardness of my children, and nothing happens?"
This does happen. Many people lead wayward lives because they are
driven by Satan. Down deep, they don't want to do it. Consequently, when
you take authority over these situations, the situation will stop.
But in other cases, these are people who want to do what they're doing.
Satan supports and encourages them. But they have wicked desires in their
hearts to take the courses they are taking. And if they want to do it, there is
really nothing you, God, or anyone else can do about it.
I realize some Christians may take exception when I say there is nothing
God can do. But look around. We see murderers, despots, and dictators who
cause untold heartache and trouble. And they aren't stopped. Don't you think
God is displeased with the terrible actions they are taking? Surely He is. But
He will not stop them, because if they want to live and act in this manner,
they have the "right" to do so. Admittedly, they will come to a wicked end.
Their final state will be death and destruction. But while they live, they
wreak havoc in the world.
THE KEY IS YOU
So we have come full circle. Adam started out with authority and turned
it over to Satan. Jesus Christ bought it back for us at Calvary. Then He gave
it to us for an aid in performing His work on this earth. We have the
authority today. We may not be using it, but we have it.
Thank God, multiplied hundreds of thousands of Christians all over this
nation and around the world are beginning to recognize their authority in
the Lord Jesus Christ. It is changing their homes, hearts, and lives—totally
and absolutely.
But please do not misunderstand. I do not labor under the delusion we
can walk around ordering and expecting events to take place. I know we
can't cause nations to rise or fall. But the point is, Satan is a defeated foe. If
we will but recognize our place and position, many situations can be
aborted before they get out of hand.
Once again, I want to emphasize this: The world of evil, destruction, and
sorrow will not stop until Jesus Christ comes back to this earth. But until
that time, you and I can use the authority He has given us to win victory
after victory in Jesus Christ.
The key is me, and the key is you—not God, not Jesus, and not the Holy
Spirit. They have already made their wills known. The Lord has completed
His plan of glory. He sits today at the right hand of the Father, His mission
completed. Now it is up to us.
What are we doing about it? What are we going to do about the heathen
who are dying without God? Will we sit back and do nothing? Or will we
believe God for great victory? Will we allow Satan to run over us? Or will
we take authority over him and trust God for a glorious triumph?
Personally, I claim Joshua's phrase: "As for me and my house, we will serve
the Lord."
I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS
About 1961, Frances, Donnie, and I were in California for a series of
meetings. Donnie was just a child. I recall, after the tour concluded, we
started for home. We drove all night and day, slept a few hours the
following night, and arrived in Baton Rouge sometime the next day. I was
weary, to say the least.
 We had no home then. We lived with my dad what little time we were in
Baton Rouge. As soon as I walked in and greeted Dad, he told me to go
next door and pray for my sister.
When I asked Dad what was wrong, he dropped his head and said I
would see when I got there. The moment I walked into their house, I could
sense something was wrong.
They greeted me eagerly, but a spirit of depression permeated the
atmosphere. After exchanging a few words of small talk, I asked what
seemed to be the trouble.
I looked at my sister, Jeanette. She weighed just over a hundred pounds.
Bent in pain, she had just had one operation and was scheduled for another
one. I watched as she walked to the couch and sat down. She dragged her
leg behind her.
She had been injured in an automobile accident and had come very close
to losing her leg. The doctor said she would probably never play the organ
again. The leg just refused to bend.
That had not been their only tragedy. They had just lost their little girl, a
darling child of two years, who drowned. Satan had done everything within
his power to destroy their home and shatter their lives. He had almost
succeeded.
My brother-in-law, a devoted and dedicated Christian, sighed and
slumped onto the couch. He put his head in his hands and began to speak.
His words spoke of dejection; words revealing confusion and defeat.
I knew how he felt. I had been there many times myself.
He said, "Jim, I do not understand it. I love God with all my heart. Net
(my sister's nickname) and I have paid tithe on every dollar we've ever
made. Of all the people in our church, we have won most of them to the
Lord Jesus Christ."
He was telling the truth about all this. Then he said, "I seek God's face. I
do not live a self-centered life. I love God with all of my heart. Why are all
these things happening to us?"
NOW THIS IS THE GREAT QUESTION
I suppose more Christians have asked this question than any other: Why
did this happen?
Do not misunderstand. I do not have the answers to all the problems of
the world. I have seen things happen to dedicated, consecrated Christians
that Jimmy Swaggart can't explain. I make no claim of being a genius. But I
have had some experience. And that is what I offer you.
Many Christians think if they live a Godly, consecrated life, it should
secure some measure of safety and protection. But, actually, it does not. It
plays a part, to be sure. But it is not so much a matter of our consecration.
Wonderful and helpful as consecration is, it is our knowledge of the Word
and our place and position in Christ that carry us through. It is standing on
His authority that gets results.
I will admit, we all have a great deal to learn about this. I know I do. But
I have learned a little, and I thank God for what He has taught me. How
many hearing this message have asked the same question: Why?
What I say next may not always be the answer. But it was the answer in
this particular case. I looked at my brother-in-law.
I did not know the answer. I stood weeping with them. I knew every
word he said was true. My heart was torn with compassion.
I had stood beside the grave of the baby who had been recently snatched
from them. I had stood beside my sister's bed when her leg was torn to
pieces when her car was hit by a drunken driver. I had seen surgeries
performed on her body until there was just a shell of her remaining.
I had seen my brother-in-law's business fall apart. They owed half the
hospitals and doctors in town. The same question was in my mind: Why?
Before I left, I mouthed some ineffectual prayer. I don't think it amounted
to much. I tried to console them as best I could, but my answers were no
better than theirs.
I walked out of the house, too confused to remain inside. I slumped into
my car. I pressed my head to the steering wheel and began to weep. I asked
the Lord the same question my brother-in-law had asked.
"Why has all this happened?"
At the end of a long series of questions before God, I asked, "Lord when
are You going to do something about this?"
I believe with all my heart, at that moment God spoke to me. "Son," he
said, "it is not a question of when I am going to do something about it.
When are you going to do something about it?"
When those words burst upon my mind it was like a floodlight turned on
in a dark room. I saw it!
It was many years ago but how clearly I recall it. I almost tore the door
off my car as I opened it. I leaped out and burst into the house.
 If I remember correctly, I was shouting, commanding them to stand up.
As I caught my breath, I told them they had bowed to the enemy long
enough. They were children of the Most High God and they were to stand
erect!
"God loves you," I shouted. "God hasn't brought these curses on you;
Satan has! It's time we rebuke the powers of darkness from your business,
from Jeanette's physical body, from your health, and from every phase and
facet of your home."
The moment I said that, it seemed that faith hit the room like a gladiator's
fist. They began to weep. And this time, it was not a weeping of defeat, but
the cry of victory.
They threw their arms in the air and began to praise the Lord. The power
of God filled that room, and they began to march through the house praising
the Lord.
You see, there was nothing God could do until we took the initiative.
When will the child of God realize this? We sit back and wring our hands
and the devil runs roughshod over us. Until we use our faith and start
standing up to Satan, and take authority over him through the blood of Jesus
Christ, we will continue to have problems. But the moment we use the
authority God has given us, great victory can be ours.
No, it did not happen immediately. There had to be a revamping process.
But from that moment, they started walking the road of victory.
I could say so much about their lives. But suffice it to say, God gave
them a beautiful home, restored my sister's health, and gave my brother-in-
law a successful business. Today they have a beautiful family and pastor a
church in Baton Rouge.
But Satan set out to kill my sister. He hates every child of God.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Satan kills, steals, and
destroys. But Jesus said, "I am come that they might have
Again, I emphasize. Don't quote me as saying we can use some magic
word or incantation and we will be magically transformed to a utopia. We
are still living in a world of sin and iniquity. Satan is still the prince of the
powers of the air and the god of this world. There is misery and heartache
around us. The Word tells us not to think it strange concerning the trials and
fiery darts that are thrown at us by the wicked one.
But the point to be emphasized is this: In many cases where Satan runs
over us, we can have victory if we will use the authority God has given us.
In many problems plaguing our nation, if only the children of Almighty God
would band together in unity and agree, tremendous things could happen.
World events could be changed. Victory is ours—in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling,
Then I know the sins of earth beset on every hand;
Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling,
None of these shall move me from Beulah Land.
Chorus
I am living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,
I am drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry,
O yes, I am feasting on the manna, from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.