As believers, we are not merely participants in a spiritual battle; we have been endowed with divine authority to overcome the forces of darkness. This authority isn’t rooted in our strength or wisdom but in the victory of Jesus Christ. Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection, granting us authority to stand firm and victorious in battle.
How do we exercise this authority? Acts 26:10 illustrates that authority is given—Paul, sent by the Sanhedrin, was given authority. Similarly, when God sends us, He gives us authority. It starts with knowing who we are in Christ and the authority He has given us. In Matthew 8:5-10, the centurion understood the power of spoken words under authority. Jesus declared in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” With this promise, we can confidently face any spiritual conflict, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Mark 1:22-27 and Luke 4:32-37 show Jesus manifesting authority in teaching, praying, and commanding unclean spirits. This same power is available to us as believers, empowering us to resist the enemy and his schemes. When was the last time you exercised this authority? To walk in this authority, we must remain connected to Jesus through prayer, the Word, and obedience to His commands. Our authority is activated when we align our lives with His will and actively engage in the Great Commission. Beware of sin and disobedience, for they diminish the potency of our God-given authority.
Remember, the believer’s authority is not about dominating others but standing in Christ’s victory and advancing His kingdom of light in a world of darkness. Let us embrace our authority, stand firm in faith, and command the victory Jesus has already secured.
The Believer’s Authority
August 14, 2024
