Spiritual Authority


08/30/2010 09:58 AM - Permalink

So over the weekend, I watched 4 horror movies.  One of them, Paranormal Activity, had a great deal to do with demonic attacks.  My review suggests that horror movie fans should watch it, and that in fact, everyone should watch it after finding their authority in Jesus and taking a Spiritual Authority or Warfare class.

The more I thought about it, the more I decided that I wanted to help raise awareness of the scriptures’ position.  To be honest, I also had need to go over the scriptures again.

Let me preface what I’m to discuss here by warning you that it is for believers that Jesus Christ is the son of God, God in the flesh, the one and only way to the Father, to heaven, and to everlasting happiness… that Jesus shed his blood and died for the remission of our sins, and rose from the dead, conquering death forever on our behalf.  If you don’t believe this, head over to this page, and I’ll explain as best I can.  Then be sure to return, because you should know what God has for you in power and authority against the devil!!

Additionally, I will use the scriptures as a basis for providing points about the spiritual authority of believers.  This article assumes you believe the scriptures are the absolute authority over all things, and that all things are subject to their truth.  If you don’t believe that, you should, as it is a fact...  :)

And without further delay, we will begin.

Believers, who submit to the Lordship of Jesus in their lives  (true Christians), need not fear the devil or the works of his kingdom.  The Lord Jesus was given all authority in heaven and earth, and He promised to be with us always.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20


Jesus gave us His authority to bind on earth and heaven, and loose on earth and heaven, on the basis of our faith that He is who He says He is, and He does all He says He does.  Additionally, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.  In other words, all the defenses of hell will not be able to resist our authority in Christ.

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”  So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against itAnd I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-17

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18


The provision of God concerning spiritual authority is exclusive to the true believer, who has an active relationship with Jesus.  If you're only an imitator, the devil will know.  Additionally, the devil and his demons do not fear the use of or those who use Jesus' name, but only those are are truly in Jesus' name.

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.  Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”  Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”  Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Acts 19:11-17


Our power is multiplied when we come into agreement with other believers.

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:19

One of you shall chase a thousand, but two of you shall chase ten thousand.
Deuteronomy 32:30


No evil will befall you.  He will even command His angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways!

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your waysIn their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Psalm 91:9-13


He has made spiritual laws that declare no weapons against us shall prosper!

No weapon formed against you shall prosper...
Isaiah 54:17


These provisions are not meant just for leaders of the faith, but for all believers!  Jesus specifically gave us power over demons, sickness, Satan, all the power of darkness and made a provision that nothing shall by any means harm us!

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Mark 16:17-18


Jesus suffered to set us free, heal us, and give us peace!

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5


The Lord has prepared armor for us to help us wage war against the enemy!  We were BUILT and PURPOSED for imposing and enforcing boundaries on the powers of darkness.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  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.  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.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Ephesians 6:10-18

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In conclusion…

God did not leave us powerless to defend ourselves.  He created us for a purpose, and gave us the authority to come against the enemy – and overcome – on every front.  Be mindful of the authority you have simply by believing and trusting in the Lord.  Nothing Satan has can compete with that which God has prepared for you.  What an awesome God, who loves and cares for us without a reason!!
 

Jay Baldwin is a follower of Jesus Christ residing in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and daughter. Jay is an Executive Director and Software Engineer (Web Ninja!), a self-proclaimed scriptural scholar, and a pilot. He's also an avid gamer, loves tennis, and has a black belt in Korean martial art Tang Soo Do.