Don’t let the enemy push you around any longer.
Jesus’ death and resurrection have forever changed the balance of power and given you the right to reign in life with Him! The Bible is very clear that we, as believers, are to be proactive and exercise our authority. But first, you must understand authority and how it works!
The centurion who came to Jesus for the healing of his servant understood authority, as he said,“For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:9)
For authority to work, we must be under authority; it comes down from the top. For someone to be in authority, they must be under authority. The centurion recognized that he had people under him who were obligated to obey because he was under others in the Roman chain of command. Similarly, we have authority over the enemy because we are under God and His authority.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
We are submitted to God and His Word; therefore, we have the right to exercise authority. Those who do not know God or who are not submitted to His authority have no right to use it.
There were seven brothers who learned this the hard way in Acts 19. They attempted to cast out an evil spirit, and it backfired big time. In verse 13, they commanded the evil spirits in a man, saying, “We exercise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” They didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, so it was not a true exercise of authority.
“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.” (In Acts 19:15-16)
Their attempt was an illegitimate use of authority, and it didn’t work.
A police officer doesn’t make the law; he enforces laws that are already made. He does, however, have to study the law so he can know what he has been authorized to do. We are not making up the law as we go; we are simply using our authority in the name of Jesus to enforce the law or God’s Word in our lives. You have every right to have what the Word says you have and to do what the Word says you can do. But you must know what the Word says.
If you want to exercise the authority that is yours in Christ, it is important to spend time studying your rights and privileges as revealed in God’s Word. By immersing yourself in the Word of God, you can gain such a revelation of who you are and what you have in Christ that you will begin to exercise authority and faith in your life effortlessly.
Take some time to read and meditate on these truths and become clothed with this knowledge. It will work in your life, your household, and your sphere of influence. Rise up in faith, declare ‘enough is enough’ to the enemy of your soul, and take back what belongs to you in Jesus’ name. All of Heaven will support you as you do!
“And 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 16:19)
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f you’re waiting for God to do something about the Devil, you’re too late. You’ve already been given authority over your spiritual adversaries. Don’t let the enemy push you around any longer. Learn how Jesus’ death and resurrection has forever changed the balance of power and given you the right to reign in life with Him.
Thank you for this, yes, it is time to exercise authority and take back lost ground that the enemy is illegally occupying.
Just finished reading the E-Book, Who Died and Made You Boss. Well written, concise. A great refresher of our authority! Greg-it would be nice if you could give sample prayers in your next edition. Thank you!