Originally, man had the power to be victorious in all battles, as the Bible says of His creation: Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it: have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth (Genesis 1.28). However, with sin, everything changed; from being a dominator, human beings became dominated and were separated from God (Genesis 3.8-24).

           Man could rule over the fish (creatures) of the sea. Now, the sea is where there are many waters, and the beings in them can be understood as angels, acting at the command of the One who has all power, our God. Jesus said: He who believes in Me the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father (John 14.12b). That's why, when we give voice to the Lord, the angels who serve Him go into action and do the work (John 15.7). We don't speak to angels, but God does!

           In the parable of the sower, the birds of the air are identified as demons, as Jesus told it: A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it (Luke 8.5). Mark says that the birds were Satan: When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts (Mark 4.15b). Man was given authority over the kingdom of darkness!

           Man was given dominion over the animals that crawl on the earth, the small or microscopic lives that can only be seen through special lenses. They were all free to act on man and destroy him, including the wild species. However, just as the larger animals lost their ferocity when they entered Noah's ark and didn't attack the smaller ones, so it will be in the millennium (Genesis 7.1-16; Isaiah 11.6-9).

           So far, I've talked about the power that man had since his creation, but which was lost because of Adam's sin. This, apparently, has no connection with the verse, but I would like to emphasize the sadness felt in Heaven, seeing us acting like the wicked, and not like the righteous - justified - in the blood of Christ. Now, Jesus came to do a great work and He didn't fail in His mission: He bought us for God. Now all we have to do is receive the Word capable of generating faith and, with it, fulfilling God's will!

           God has placed His eyes on us to guide us in every situation, so we must listen to His Word. Without it, faith will not come into our hearts and we will do nothing (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6). Contact with the Most High comes through faith in Christ, given to us by knowing what it says about the revelation of what the Bible tells us is our right. Without the Lord's direction, we will never see what it takes to succeed in the battles of faith!

           All we have to do is allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and command the evil snare to be destroyed. See what faith does for those who have it: And His name , through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (Acts 3.16). With Jesus, we are victorious!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares