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 you know God is backing you up. When you realise He's on your side, you can say, ‘No weapon that is formed against me will prevail’ (see Isaiah 54:17). But overconfidence, which is self-confidence that’s not based on God-confidence, can be a problem. We might plan, say, and do things without checking first to find out if God is supporting our strategy.

Remember what the evil spirit said to those trying to mimic Paul’s ministry when they weren’t empowered by God’s Spirit? They said, ‘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 the right place 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 that God doesn’t want moved or stirring up battles that He doesn't want fought just yet. On earth, we should only do what He's declared to be His will in heaven. And then He'll back us up!

What Now?

When you’re feeling confident about something, just take a moment to double-check with God that what you’re feeling is based on God-confidence and that He’s fully behind your decision or actions.