Authority: is the right to command and control other people.….collinsdictionary.com
“Authority: the moral or legal right or ability to control.”….dictionary.cambridge.org
The above are two modern day dictionary meanings of the word ‘authority.’
Now, from our Biblical perspective, let’s have a look at the word authority from this scripture verse.
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
In the verse above the Greek word for ‘authority’ is 'exousia' and its expanded English meaning is: power (of a spiritual nature), authority and weight – (Strongs 1849). It is a moral authority and influence over someone or something.
In this verse Jesus is telling us that the authority he carries over heaven and earth has been given to him by the Father. He carries all authority over everything and everyone including Satan and his followers and including the elements of the earth.
Now, dear reader, bear in mind these words that came from heaven, the very throne room of God, especially the words ‘listen to him’ and let’s be fully obedient to this.
Now, where do we as Christians (the Church) fit in to God’s authority plan for us in Christ Jesus? Hear the Word of God!
Similar verses occur in Mark’s gospel as well – Mk 3:15; 6:7.
In the verse above Jesus tells us that he has delegated some of His authority to us so that we can trample on ‘snakes and scorpions’ and to me this is an allegorical reference to Satan and his demonic followers. And not only are we able to trample on them but we will also be able to overcome all Satan’s power as well, and we will not be harmed if we belong to Jesus and we are led by the Holy Spirit!
My question now, dear readers, is: Why isn’t the Church today doing this? And a wrong answer would be: “Because it was only for the disciples at that time.”
The Bible addresses the Church throughout the ages. It is a living word because Jesus is the Word and became flesh to walk among us and to sacrifice His life for our salvation and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
So, because of this we carry that same authority to this very hour. Why aren’t we using it? All we have to do is submit ourselves to God and resist the devil.
So, are you fully submitted to God? Is every area of your life submitted to him? If you are holding anything back from Him, I suggest that your release it right now, especially if it is unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment towards anybody!
Are you dressed in the full armour of God and are you living your life in the Spirit?
Church! Let’s get ourselves dressed in the full armour of God, fully immerse ourselves in the Holy Spirit and be obedient to His Word in every way! This way we will be a formidable army and will be overcomers in Christ Jesus! We carry the full authority of the Lord with us wherever we go!
Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood (see Eph 4:12 above) so if there is somebody you know or many somebodies who are rubbing you up the wrong way, be aware that the true enemy is Satan, and he could very well be using them to upset your peace and entice you into sin!
Many people choose not to believe that we are in a spiritual battle, but whether they believe it or not, the fact of the matter is that the battle is taking place daily. Your unwillingness to engage in battle doesn’t mean that the battle isn’t raging; it just means you’re going to lose.
It is not the person sitting next to you at work, it’s not your neighbour, and it’s certainly not your husband or your wife or any other human being that’s the problem.
Jesus wouldn’t tell us to cast out demons if they were not a real threat and they didn’t exist – they are a threat and they do exist. Just look at the world around you. The evil that men do is controlled by Satanic influence! We, as the Church and as individual believers, need to have faith! We need to put our faith into action and emulate Jesus. We can do this for He has given us the authority to do so. Faith without action is dead and without faith it is impossible to please God!
Dear reader, I would strongly recommend that you read the entire chapters of James 2 and Hebrews 11.
A lot of people honestly think I’m is a little over the top. They think they don’t need to respond to people in a spiritual way. But I can guarantee you that there are times when Satan is speaking directly to you through people. He is using people to get at you. Whether you recognize it or not, this goes on much more than you know. You are in a spiritual war.
You won’t believe how many church leaders I have heard say, “You can’t look for demons behind every tree”, as I’ve watched their eyes glaze over with unbelief.
Luke 9:35 (NIV)
A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Now, where do we as Christians (the Church) fit in to God’s authority plan for us in Christ Jesus? Hear the Word of God!
Luke 10:19 (NIV)
I (Jesus) have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Similar verses occur in Mark’s gospel as well – Mk 3:15; 6:7.
In the verse above Jesus tells us that he has delegated some of His authority to us so that we can trample on ‘snakes and scorpions’ and to me this is an allegorical reference to Satan and his demonic followers. And not only are we able to trample on them but we will also be able to overcome all Satan’s power as well, and we will not be harmed if we belong to Jesus and we are led by the Holy Spirit!
We are overcomers of this world in Christ Jesus!
1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV)
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
My question now, dear readers, is: Why isn’t the Church today doing this? And a wrong answer would be: “Because it was only for the disciples at that time.”
The Bible addresses the Church throughout the ages. It is a living word because Jesus is the Word and became flesh to walk among us and to sacrifice His life for our salvation and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
John 1:14 (NIV
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
So, because of this we carry that same authority to this very hour. Why aren’t we using it? All we have to do is submit ourselves to God and resist the devil.
James 4:7 (AMP)
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
So, are you fully submitted to God? Is every area of your life submitted to him? If you are holding anything back from Him, I suggest that your release it right now, especially if it is unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment towards anybody!
Are you dressed in the full armour of God and are you living your life in the Spirit?
Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Ephesians 4:10-12 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Church! Let’s get ourselves dressed in the full armour of God, fully immerse ourselves in the Holy Spirit and be obedient to His Word in every way! This way we will be a formidable army and will be overcomers in Christ Jesus! We carry the full authority of the Lord with us wherever we go!
Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood (see Eph 4:12 above) so if there is somebody you know or many somebodies who are rubbing you up the wrong way, be aware that the true enemy is Satan, and he could very well be using them to upset your peace and entice you into sin!
As a believer you need to always be aware of this. Know that your enemy is Satan, not your neighbour, and he uses people for evil – this is why Jesus says this:
Many Christians have adopted a worldly view of things – and here I mean worldly as opposed to the Kingdom of God of which we (believers) are citizens. Many Christians do not realize the spiritual implication behind what is going on in their lives.
Matthew 5:43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Many Christians have adopted a worldly view of things – and here I mean worldly as opposed to the Kingdom of God of which we (believers) are citizens. Many Christians do not realize the spiritual implication behind what is going on in their lives.
As born-again Christians we are in the world but not of the world. Those that do not live life in the Spirit (read Romans 8), think most everything they encounter on a daily basis is either physical or natural. But in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit – we are supernatural beings!
The truth is, there is a battle raging every single day in the spiritual realm. That battle is for your heart, your mind and your very life and also the hearts and minds and lives of every other person on earth. God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to influence people and draw them toward righteousness and toward Himself, to live consistent with Him so that His blessings can be manifest in their lives.
Satan, on the other hand, is waging all-out war trying to steal the hearts and minds of people away from God. He wants to fill their hearts with his lies and corruption. And honestly, although most Christians recognize this to a degree, I don’t think they fully realize how intense the warfare really is and how much their spiritual inaction only assists the Devil! The Devil’s best friend is not an active sinner but and inactive Christian!
When we attribute much of what is happening to circumstances and therefore passively accept what comes our way. We are actually just ignoring the intense battle that is being waged against us by Satan for our lives. Satan is a liar, a thief and a murderer - he is the father of lies!
The choices you make, the things you say, the actions you take or don't take, and what you believe about what is happening around you determines whether God or Satan dominates in your life. Satan cannot control you outside of your will. For those who are in Christ Jesus he cannot do anything without your cooperation and consent. Christians need to be living their lives in the Spirit, not in the flesh. But you need to recognize that you are in a daily battle.
The truth is, there is a battle raging every single day in the spiritual realm. That battle is for your heart, your mind and your very life and also the hearts and minds and lives of every other person on earth. God sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit to influence people and draw them toward righteousness and toward Himself, to live consistent with Him so that His blessings can be manifest in their lives.
Satan, on the other hand, is waging all-out war trying to steal the hearts and minds of people away from God. He wants to fill their hearts with his lies and corruption. And honestly, although most Christians recognize this to a degree, I don’t think they fully realize how intense the warfare really is and how much their spiritual inaction only assists the Devil! The Devil’s best friend is not an active sinner but and inactive Christian!
When we attribute much of what is happening to circumstances and therefore passively accept what comes our way. We are actually just ignoring the intense battle that is being waged against us by Satan for our lives. Satan is a liar, a thief and a murderer - he is the father of lies!
John 10:10 (AMP)
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
1 John 1:8 (NIV)
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (AMP)
8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]
The choices you make, the things you say, the actions you take or don't take, and what you believe about what is happening around you determines whether God or Satan dominates in your life. Satan cannot control you outside of your will. For those who are in Christ Jesus he cannot do anything without your cooperation and consent. Christians need to be living their lives in the Spirit, not in the flesh. But you need to recognize that you are in a daily battle.
To live your life in the flesh is not pleasing to God!
Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But once you realize the battle is real, you can then learn to recognize what is going on and take the proper action to improve your situation in Christ Jesus. You can resist the devil and he will flee as long as you are fully submitted to God.
Church, take up the authority you have in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit and fight the good fight, resist the Devil with all your God-given might through Christ Jesus!
In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us further of our supernatural battle against evil.
Church, take up the authority you have in Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit and fight the good fight, resist the Devil with all your God-given might through Christ Jesus!
James 4:7-10 (AMP)
7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].
In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us further of our supernatural battle against evil.
Ephesians 6:10-15 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
These verses refer to Satan’s demonic powers and how we can combat him by putting on the whole armour of God. There’s a chain of command, and an authority structure in Satan’s kingdom. These verses list the different levels. Notice that it says you are not wrestling against flesh and blood. Much that goes on in your life is not just circumstance, much of it is demonic activity and influence.
Ephesians 6:14-18 (NKJV)
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Anyone who is not spiritually aware can be influenced and inspired and used of Satan to come against you. If you were to recognize that, it would make a huge difference in the way you respond to them and the way you can overcome the situation in Christ Jesus. Our spiritual battle in this world requires us to be living life in the Spirit so that evil can be discerned by the believer and effectively resisted.
The fact of the matter is that people are being influenced and controlled and used by the devil—they really are. This needs to be said because a lot of Christians don’t believe it. Jesus himself gave us fair warning about the amount of demonic activity there is in the world and how it affects all of us, it even brings sickness!
The fact of the matter is that people are being influenced and controlled and used by the devil—they really are. This needs to be said because a lot of Christians don’t believe it. Jesus himself gave us fair warning about the amount of demonic activity there is in the world and how it affects all of us, it even brings sickness!
Mark 16:17-18 (NIV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Matthew 17:15-18 (NIV)
15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Matthew 17:19-20a (NIV)
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith.
Jesus wouldn’t tell us to cast out demons if they were not a real threat and they didn’t exist – they are a threat and they do exist. Just look at the world around you. The evil that men do is controlled by Satanic influence! We, as the Church and as individual believers, need to have faith! We need to put our faith into action and emulate Jesus. We can do this for He has given us the authority to do so. Faith without action is dead and without faith it is impossible to please God!
James 2:14-17 (AMP)
14 What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] 15 If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? 17 So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear reader, I would strongly recommend that you read the entire chapters of James 2 and Hebrews 11.
A lot of people honestly think I’m is a little over the top. They think they don’t need to respond to people in a spiritual way. But I can guarantee you that there are times when Satan is speaking directly to you through people. He is using people to get at you. Whether you recognize it or not, this goes on much more than you know. You are in a spiritual war.
You won’t believe how many church leaders I have heard say, “You can’t look for demons behind every tree”, as I’ve watched their eyes glaze over with unbelief.
Deliverance, these days, does not form part of many Church’s ministry! These days Church leaders are afraid to confront the Devil head on because of unbelief and fear, fear of upsetting their congregations – fear of man! This renders their Church’s life ineffective in many ways and stunts personal spiritual growth in their congregation and stunts Kingdom growth in their sphere of influence.
One of the first things Jesus said to his disciples and close followers when he delegated his authority to them was, “Cast out demons and heal the sick.” This still applies to today’s Church because if you look around you and see what’s going on, you will see the world is still an evil place with people doing evil things and sickness of all kinds growing exponentially.
One of the first things Jesus said to his disciples and close followers when he delegated his authority to them was, “Cast out demons and heal the sick.” This still applies to today’s Church because if you look around you and see what’s going on, you will see the world is still an evil place with people doing evil things and sickness of all kinds growing exponentially.
Sin has increased over the years not decreased. Why do you think this is – more and more demonic activity and the Devil enticing man to sin! Where does the evil that men do come from? Certainly not from God! A demon behind every tree seems quite feasible from where I stand!
There is a supernatural war waging today for your heart and mind and your very life and the lives of your loved ones. In fact, for some of you right now, the devil is trying to oppose the words you are reading right now. He wants to discredit them and cause you to ignore or reject them. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is bearing witness in your heart and trying to get you to open up and receive these words. It’s spiritual warfare!
Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
There is a supernatural war waging today for your heart and mind and your very life and the lives of your loved ones. In fact, for some of you right now, the devil is trying to oppose the words you are reading right now. He wants to discredit them and cause you to ignore or reject them. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is bearing witness in your heart and trying to get you to open up and receive these words. It’s spiritual warfare!
Satan wants your mind, read my blog of the same title on the link below:
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/01/satan-wants-your-mind.html
To win in this war, you must know who you are in Christ Jesus and the authority you have as a believer. You have the power and authority to do it, and now is the time to use it as the days are evil and are just getting worse.
Don’t be afraid to use the authority Christ has given you for he has promised that nothing will harm you (see Luke 10:19 above) but do make sure that you are living life in the Spirit and be led by Him alone – the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Only by living life in the Spirit will we be able to bring glory to Jesus!
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
In Jesus’ name I declare your majesty and your sovereignty over my life. I thank you, Lord, that you are my Saviour and that apart from you I can do nothing. I pray, Lord, that today you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and protect me and my family from the evil one. Help me, O Lord, to fearlessly take up the authority you have given me through your word and to take my place in your army as a spiritual warrior. Increase my measure of faith I pray. O Lord, that I may imitate you in all things as the Apostle Paul did. Not to my glory Lord, but to yours. Help me Lord to reach the lost to cast out demons and heal the sick in the power of the Holy Spirit and let me bring glory to your name. Amen.
To win in this war, you must know who you are in Christ Jesus and the authority you have as a believer. You have the power and authority to do it, and now is the time to use it as the days are evil and are just getting worse.
Don’t be afraid to use the authority Christ has given you for he has promised that nothing will harm you (see Luke 10:19 above) but do make sure that you are living life in the Spirit and be led by Him alone – the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Only by living life in the Spirit will we be able to bring glory to Jesus!
Romans 8:8-9 (NIV)
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
John 16:12-15 (NIV)
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
In Jesus’ name I declare your majesty and your sovereignty over my life. I thank you, Lord, that you are my Saviour and that apart from you I can do nothing. I pray, Lord, that today you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and protect me and my family from the evil one. Help me, O Lord, to fearlessly take up the authority you have given me through your word and to take my place in your army as a spiritual warrior. Increase my measure of faith I pray. O Lord, that I may imitate you in all things as the Apostle Paul did. Not to my glory Lord, but to yours. Help me Lord to reach the lost to cast out demons and heal the sick in the power of the Holy Spirit and let me bring glory to your name. Amen.
All glory, honour and praise belongs to Jesus!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no excuse for you not reading and studying the Bible for yourself My word is flawed, the Bible is not!
Last update: 22 January 2024
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