God told Joshua, ‘Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand’ (Joshua 8:18 NKJV). It’s amazing how courageous you feel when God is backing you up. When you know He is on your side, you can say, ‘No weapon that is formed against me will prevail’ (see Isaiah 54:17).

But overconfidence is self-confidence that’s not based on God-confidence. Our problem is, we plan, say, and do things without first checking to find out if God is behind us. Do you remember what the evil spirit said to those trying to mimic Paul’s ministry when they weren’t empowered by God’s Spirit? ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ (Acts 19:15 NKJV). When you’re under attack, you need to know that 1) you’re in right standing with God (see 2 Corinthians 5:19), 2) it’s God’s fight as well as yours (see 2 Chronicles 20:15), and 3) ‘whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’ (Matthew 18:18 NIV). There must be agreement in both realms. If it’s not approved where God is, it shouldn’t be approved where you are.

Your confidence comes from knowing you’re operating in His will. The Bible calls us ‘labourers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV), so you can’t go off and do your own thing. Don’t try moving any mountain the Lord doesn’t want moved or raising anybody from the dead except the Lazarus He calls forth. We do on earth only what He has declared to be His will in heaven. And He backs us up!