Your Authority in Jesus Christ

Do you feel beaten down in today’s world? You look around you, and there are things we could never imagine could happen. The world is evil, and it is

not being hidden anymore. What should you do? Should you worry? Should you hide in your house? Jesus knew we would go through things like this. He didn’t just die for our sins. He died to give us authority. In Luke 10:19, Jesus says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” NLT

What does this verse mean? Do we just have authority over animals and bugs? No, we have power over any evil that comes against us. Jesus is talking about the power of the devil, demons, and evil spirits. When the body of Christ realizes that God himself is the power behind our authority and how to use it, the devil must recognize our authority.

Authority

What is authority? It is delegated power: legal power, or a right to command or to act. In Strong’s concordance, the definition is the power to act. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul told the believers to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. The word power means dominion, strength, power, a mighty deed. This verse means you can use your power against the devil and what he is trying to put on you. Use your authority!

1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” NIV

He that is in the world is Satan. When Jesus died on the Cross for us, he also gave us back our authority over Satan. Once you are saved, the power that’s now in you is greater than Satan’s; you just must use it.

Another great verse is Matthew 28:18: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” NIV

When Christ ascended, he gave us His authority. We have talked about how Jesus gave us the right to use our authority against the devil, but how do we use it? You use it in faith.

Hebrews 1:13 says, “And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 

When you use your authority, you use God’s word and your faith.

The verses mentioned Jesus said he has given us authority over the devil, and He expects us to use it. We don’t want the devil to have power over our life.

At the beginning, I spoke of the world we are living in today and how evil it is. Ephesians 6:12 talks about this: “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.” We are just seeing these powers at work more today than ever. If there is ever a time to use your authority it is today!

Words Are Important

In the beginning, God spoke everything into existence. Have you ever wondered why the Bible talks about Jesus and God speaking out? It’s because our tongue is powerful! This is why when we use our authority, we need to speak it out loud, not under our breath. John 14:12-14 “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” NIV

You can use these verses to call down the devil and use your authority. The Greek reads, “Whatever you demand as your rights and privileges…” You must learn what your rights are. How do you do this? By reading the Bible and spending time with God. Using your authority only takes faith and knowing Jesus gave you this authority. In the world, people make the devil bigger than he is. Our words and authority are bigger than the devil. I base my faith on the Word of God.

Another verse that you can use to help you use your authority or build up your faith is James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” How do you resist the devil? With your words, you can say something like: Leave right now in Jesus name! By this verse, the devil must flee.

Now is the time for the church to use its authority. Don’t let the devil control your life. You control your life with your words and the authority Jesus has given you.

If you want to learn more about your authority, a great book is by Kenneth E. Hagin The Believer’s Authority.