Use Your Authority

authority believe head jesus Oct 30, 2019

by Doug Snyder

 

The Canadian policeman, parked roadside, waved me over to the curb. I obeyed because I believe in the authority behind his badge. While physically, he’s no match for a speeding car, his authority is. 

Believers should act more like that policeman. 

How so? 

By applying our Authority daily. When catching the Devil at work in your family, health, finances, or attacking your faith, dividing your church, your friendships, or simply hovering in your circumstances - use your authority to stop his encroachment. Arrest the attack.

The Source of your Authority. 

The defeated Devil1 must obey God’s Authority. God gave all authority to His son, Jesus2. Consequently, all who befriend Jesus become children of God3, joint heirs with Christ4, representing this same authority5

Jesus affirms, “l have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore, go…”6

Learn to apply Authority.

Jesus gives disciples authority to act, “Look, I have given you authority7 over all the power of the enemy."8

“Authority” in this verse is the Greek word exousia, meaning power, moral influence, jurisdiction, dominion over a certain realm.

God works THROUGH people. How? Through His Son, Jesus, the Head, to you, the Church, Jesus’ Body, the Bride of Christ. Authority flows from Head to Body. This is why we were taught to pray and can effectually carry out the prayer…. “on earth as it is in heaven.” From Head to Body…that’s YOU!

We’re given authority for one reason, to advance God’s Kingdom, “on earth as it is in heaven.”WE exercise dominion over the Devil and his schemes. 

Without a demonstration of authority, in the context of Gospel preaching, teaching the Word, or witnessing, however, people have no reference as to the power thereof. This is why Jesus sends disciples (then and now) casting out demons, raising the dead, cleansing the leper10.

Speak the name of Jesus. It has authority. Apply the shed blood of Jesus. It has authority. Practice and pronounce the promises and principles in God’s Word. They have authority. 

Have you ever noticed your body goes where your head goes? When I want to do something, mow the yard, fix the truck, play piano, make lunch, my head and body work in concert. The head instructs the body. They are one. 

So it is with Christ and the Church. Jesus is the head. We are the body. What He leads we do. What he has we have. Think Authority. We have what Jesus has. We are his body. We are joint heirs. 

We need authority now. Not in the new millennium when Satan is bound. Not in heaven. We need it now. Authority is for now.

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

People perish for a lack of knowledge.11  This includes the knowledge that Satan is defeated, and, we have authority, through Christ, over him. 

Stop asking for help (knowledge, yes). 2 Peter 1:3-4a “3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…”

Start applying Your Authority. NOW, ”Therefore, go…” advance his Kingdom. Enlarge your territory.12  

 

FOOTNOTES

1Colossians 2:14-15  14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

2Matthew 28:18 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

3Ephesians 1:5 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

4Colossians 1:12 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

51 John 4:4 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

6Matthew 28:18 (See 2)

7Greek “exousia” 

8Luke 9:1; One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Luke 10:18-20 18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

9Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us today the food we need, 12and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.13And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

10Mark 16:17-18 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” 19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

11 Hosea 4:6
121 Chronicles 4:10; 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.  2 Peter 1:3 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Close

Free PDF!

Ever wonder what your children really want from you? Sign up and receive a free PDF download on the 8 things every kid want from parents.