Authority in Christ
by: Janie Denney
October 30, 2024
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Did you know that you have authority in Christ? I recently had someone ask me: “What helped you learn the authority of Christ?” To make it simple, His Word.
The Oxford Dictionary defines authority as “the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.” We have the power, right, and position to enforce obedience through the power of Jesus.
Scripture makes it very clear that as a Christian, you are freely given the authority of Christ and have access to the power of God. You have the legal right to claim the promises of God in His Word and exercise the authority that Jesus has given because of His blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1:13 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The same Spirit that rose Jesus from the grave lives in you. The same Spirit that casts out demons, heals the sick, forgives, redeems, and loves, lives in you. We practice this authority through prayer and by declaring the truths of Scripture over lives.
Jesus says in Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” This is a promise to followers of Jesus - all we have to do is have faith.
Jesus also references His authority before He ascends into Heaven, “...all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). He immediately follows this statement with the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus establishes His authority and then sends them out in His name.
Now, what do we have authority over? We have authority over the kingdom of darkness.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
There is a war at hand in a realm that is unseen, but Jesus does not leave us without the tools to fight. In Ephesians 6:13-18, we are given the “Armor of God” which provides weapons for defense and offense.
“...Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
In this passage, we are told to “stand,” “take,” “pray,” and “be alert.” There is action. There is movement. Something is required of you. You cannot expect or claim victory when you are living passively - waiting for someone else to fight on your behalf.
Jesus is the reason we have authority. Jesus is the reason we fight. He tells His disciples in Luke 10:20, “...do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Worship: Raise a Hallelujah
Prayer
Lord, thank you for delivering me from the domain of darkness and transferring me into the kingdom of Jesus. I repent for being complacent in areas of my life where I have not stood up to fight. I repent for misusing the authority you have given me. I claim your Word over my life and family. I commit to using the authority you have given me to glorify you. Lord, give me the courage, strength, and discipline to read your Word each day - to fall more in love with you. My life is yours, and I surrender all I have to you. I love you. In Jesus name, amen.
Further Study
Ephesians 6:10-20, Colossians 1:16
Related Posts
To love well as Christians, we must grasp the depths to which love went for us and understand how deeply we are loved. The Bible tells the story of a good Father who passionately loves His children, giving the most valuable possession of heaven to redeem us. Love paid a high price for us.