What is the extent of our authority in Christ -- or do we have any authority?
Christian Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
-
Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Bible Study Walking And Talking Believers
turnorburn
Member
Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Edward
2024 Supporter
Wow, those are good questions. There is a difference. I think...number 1, that we apply the authority.
But then there's that scripture that says that, we have been given all authority in Christ...hmmm. I need to chew on that one.
I've had a couple dreams where I used the authority in Christ to make evil spirits leave...
Jim Parker
Member
2Co 5:18-20a "... God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." (RSV)
As ambassadors, we speak and act in that authority of the King of Kings with which we have been entrusted.
iakov the fool
Not_Now.Soon
Member
John 14 says that Jesus does not speak on His own authority but on God's authority, because God is in Him. He also says that if you love Jesus you'll obey His commands and Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to be in you. And Jesus will be in you and you in Jesus. Shadowing what Jesus said about the Father being in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. The chapter ends with Jesus warning his desciples one last time that He will return to God, and that he is doing this for his love for God who commands him. Simular to what he said earlier about if you love Jesus you'll obey his commands.
Not_Now.Soon
Member
On the other hand Acts 19:11-20 compares miracles done through Paul with people who call on Jesus's name but we're not given the Holy Spirit. It's worth considering with regard to how many say "Lord, Lord," but are not really Jesus's.
Chopper
Member
V.19 says,
Has that power been given to me? How can I operate, knowing that the power that Jesus gave His Disciples, would be effective for me today as I come in contact with folk who need to be set free from demon control.
So far, I use the Name of Jesus Christ as my authority. Problem is, I don't see the results that I should see.
turnorburn
Member
Which part aren't you seeing?
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.
When we do not live in our position of authority, it is because we do not know our covenant rights.
I apologize for the length of this as it is only a partial teaching. 
There are fourteen definitions of the word authority listed below found in the Strong's Exhausted Concordance in the Greek Dictionary. I have listed each definition with scripture to show you the strengths we do have by taking action on Gods word to unleash the Holy Spirit in our own life to be an effective servant to those who need Jesus in their lives to bring that faith that is Jesus which is the life changing promise of Gods word.
Greek definition: (exousia, ex-oo-see'-ah) freedom, influence, delegate, jurisdiction, ability, control, force, privilege, strength, liberty, mastery, competency, power and right
FREEDOM is God giving us liberty through his power that gives us the authority to speak his word to those who need to hear no matter the location or the environmental situation that would otherwise prohibit freedom of another religion or speech. Although we are given this freedom we have to exercise restraint from forcing our beliefs onto others. As we came to God through our own freewill so will others that hear his call to salvation. If we use force then we are outside of Gods will of love and compassion and become no effect in another’s life and only become as sounding cymbals like the Pharisees who loved to be seen of others.
(Galatians 5:13; Matthew 23:1-8)
INFLUENCE comes by the actions taken from the words that we speak. Gods’ spoken words are dormant to the ear unless action is put in place, which brings the word to life. The Spiritual man is given power from God to produce good effects on another by edifying and lifting them up, but the fleshly or carnal minded man produces effects of transgression and strife. When we were a child we witness many different types of influences in our life, which some were good and others bad, but it was by the actions of those influences that allowed us to grow up and become the person we choose to be. As a servant of God we must always display Jesus in us and allow his love shine through us and be that influence of love towards others.
(Proverbs 11:10,11; 29:1-3; Matthew 5:16)
DELEGATE means a person who is authorized to act as a representative of another. God gives us his power and authority to be his representatives here on earth through diversities of those gifts given by his Spirit for the purpose of his ministry. In Gods ministry there are many functions to be performed in order for everything to run properly. If one person takes on the responsibility of to many functions in time that person will wear themselves out and their performance or duties will suffer consequences for themselves and everyone else involved. Jesus gave delegation to those twelve disciples he chose to further the kingdom of God by using many members, but as one body in faith. A leader is not greater than those who are under their authority for it takes many talents to function as a whole, but they do have the authority to oversee that everything is working properly. Even though God has given us his power and authority if we let this power overtake us in such away that we feel like we are superior to others than and there will be our own downfall. A delegation has to work as one body to maintain proper order to keep the task at hand moving properly and orderly.
(Romans 12:3-5)
Learning also produces wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit. This allows us the right to teach Gods word with authority, truth and boldness of heart. As teachers we stand in a greater judgment for what we are teaching so be positively sure of what you are teaching others as the words we speak need to be that of the Holy Spirit. With this right also comes love and compassion. Traditions and mans doctrines have placed many untruths into our minds and as teachers we need to be prepared to always back ourselves up with scripture to show others the truth of Gods spoken word. We have the right to speak truth through Gods authority, but always do it with love and compassion.
JURISDICTION is given by God for us to take authority over things that are not of God. The territory of God is one of power to be exercised over anything that tries to come against his authority. That power is given to us by the measure of faith to stand and take authority over the wicked principalities of this world which include false religions, demonic possession, pornography, drugs, violence, astrology and the list goes on. This does not interpret that we go commando, but we need to educate the minds of people with the truth of Gods word until it reaches the hearts of all we can reach out to.
(Mark 1:21-28)
ABILITY means to perform action on Gods word. Ability is a possession of qualities necessary to perform the task that are asked of us. What qualifies us to be an effective servant of God is to know the power and authority given to us is for the purpose of redeeming lost souls. Gods' power and authority gives us the ability to stand against any principality that stands in our way of doing the will of God. We are Gods eyes, hands, mouth and feet here on earth as his ambassadors as we take his word out into the world.
(Luke 9:1-5)
CONTROL gives us domination over all things that are the Lords. It is not our own control, but that which God entrust us with to use for Gods glory. Control regulates the outcome of any event or situation that is put before us. We are controlled, or have an obedient submissiveness through Gods word to be able to perform the tasks he ask of us to the best of our ability to bring honor unto the Lord.
(Genesis 1:26-28)
FORCE speaks with such execution of knowledge and understanding with authority and power that draws others to listen to what is being presented. Force is demanding in edifying and lifting up others through the love and compassion of the words being spoken and also can bring judgment to those who heart needs convicting through Gods Spirit to bring them into submission of the word of God that helps brings them into the refining fire to make them pure and righteous before the Lord. There are many with eloquent of speech that force their teachings on us, but speaking without Spiritual knowledge and that of a carnal mind. For us to know for a surety of what is being taught us we have to study for ourselves through Gods Spirit to know that Gods word it truth as we prove his word to ourselves to know Gods word does not come back void in our lives.
(Malachi 3:1-3; 2Timothy 2:15,16; 3:16,17)
PRIVILEGE is a special right given of God to those servants who are called by him for the purpose of carrying out his ministry. Privilege gives us permission to take the word of God to areas that may seem unattainable to us. We are a society that enjoys privileges through the freedoms we have here in America. We have that same advantage just like Phillip who was called to where the eunuch was to minister the word to him; we are also called to minister the word where it needs to be heard.
(Acts 8:26-31)
STRENGTH refreshes us to stand and not be weary, to walk and not give up. We rely on Gods strength to help us through every obstacle that stands in our way. Satan will always try to fight against us and wear the flesh down, but our strength only comes by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit living in us.
(Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 26:40,41)
LIBERTY is freedom to speak the truth through the utterance of the Holy Spirit without allowing us to be condemned by mans laws and traditions. Jesus gave his disciples instructions on how to carry out his ministry and to go out with the Holy Spirit guiding them (ref: Matthew 10:5-42). We too have these same instructions that we should never be under worldly bondage, but that the Holy Spirit will speak all truths through us and others will receive truth through ears that are opened to the Holy Spirit speaking to them.
(Galatians 3:10-14; 5:1; 5:13,14; Matthew 10:16-19)
MASTERY is to run the race to obtain or receive the prize, being subject to the temperance, or the ways of Gods word that gives us authority through the Holy Spirit. To run the race means to do the works of the Lord and to be subject under his authority no matter the obstacles placed before us. The prize we receive is that of an incorruptible crown or a crown of life as long as we endure the trials and tribulations that come before us we will have a place with God for eternity.
(1Corinthians 9:15-27; James 1:12; Rev 2:10)
COMPETENCY is having ability to speak with authority and boldness in knowing what you are speaking is truth. There are many false prophets and teachers out there professing the word of God and give you what you want to hear so they can claim their own glory and power through vanity, but the true servant of God will be known by what power and authority they speak with and will give you what you need to hear to help you grow Spiritually into all truths.
(Matthew 7:15-29)
Everything we say and everything we do has to come by Gods Spirit working in us and through us for the edifying and lifting up of Gods people to bring us all into one body that is Christ centered. Learn how to discern what is being taught to you and how you teach others so you will always be pleasing to the father and hear the words of Jesus, “well done thou good and faithful servant”.
There are fourteen definitions of the word authority listed below found in the Strong's Exhausted Concordance in the Greek Dictionary. I have listed each definition with scripture to show you the strengths we do have by taking action on Gods word to unleash the Holy Spirit in our own life to be an effective servant to those who need Jesus in their lives to bring that faith that is Jesus which is the life changing promise of Gods word.
Greek definition: (exousia, ex-oo-see'-ah) freedom, influence, delegate, jurisdiction, ability, control, force, privilege, strength, liberty, mastery, competency, power and right
FREEDOM is God giving us liberty through his power that gives us the authority to speak his word to those who need to hear no matter the location or the environmental situation that would otherwise prohibit freedom of another religion or speech. Although we are given this freedom we have to exercise restraint from forcing our beliefs onto others. As we came to God through our own freewill so will others that hear his call to salvation. If we use force then we are outside of Gods will of love and compassion and become no effect in another’s life and only become as sounding cymbals like the Pharisees who loved to be seen of others.
(Galatians 5:13; Matthew 23:1-8)
INFLUENCE comes by the actions taken from the words that we speak. Gods’ spoken words are dormant to the ear unless action is put in place, which brings the word to life. The Spiritual man is given power from God to produce good effects on another by edifying and lifting them up, but the fleshly or carnal minded man produces effects of transgression and strife. When we were a child we witness many different types of influences in our life, which some were good and others bad, but it was by the actions of those influences that allowed us to grow up and become the person we choose to be. As a servant of God we must always display Jesus in us and allow his love shine through us and be that influence of love towards others.
(Proverbs 11:10,11; 29:1-3; Matthew 5:16)
DELEGATE means a person who is authorized to act as a representative of another. God gives us his power and authority to be his representatives here on earth through diversities of those gifts given by his Spirit for the purpose of his ministry. In Gods ministry there are many functions to be performed in order for everything to run properly. If one person takes on the responsibility of to many functions in time that person will wear themselves out and their performance or duties will suffer consequences for themselves and everyone else involved. Jesus gave delegation to those twelve disciples he chose to further the kingdom of God by using many members, but as one body in faith. A leader is not greater than those who are under their authority for it takes many talents to function as a whole, but they do have the authority to oversee that everything is working properly. Even though God has given us his power and authority if we let this power overtake us in such away that we feel like we are superior to others than and there will be our own downfall. A delegation has to work as one body to maintain proper order to keep the task at hand moving properly and orderly.
(Romans 12:3-5)
Learning also produces wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit. This allows us the right to teach Gods word with authority, truth and boldness of heart. As teachers we stand in a greater judgment for what we are teaching so be positively sure of what you are teaching others as the words we speak need to be that of the Holy Spirit. With this right also comes love and compassion. Traditions and mans doctrines have placed many untruths into our minds and as teachers we need to be prepared to always back ourselves up with scripture to show others the truth of Gods spoken word. We have the right to speak truth through Gods authority, but always do it with love and compassion.
JURISDICTION is given by God for us to take authority over things that are not of God. The territory of God is one of power to be exercised over anything that tries to come against his authority. That power is given to us by the measure of faith to stand and take authority over the wicked principalities of this world which include false religions, demonic possession, pornography, drugs, violence, astrology and the list goes on. This does not interpret that we go commando, but we need to educate the minds of people with the truth of Gods word until it reaches the hearts of all we can reach out to.
(Mark 1:21-28)
ABILITY means to perform action on Gods word. Ability is a possession of qualities necessary to perform the task that are asked of us. What qualifies us to be an effective servant of God is to know the power and authority given to us is for the purpose of redeeming lost souls. Gods' power and authority gives us the ability to stand against any principality that stands in our way of doing the will of God. We are Gods eyes, hands, mouth and feet here on earth as his ambassadors as we take his word out into the world.
(Luke 9:1-5)
CONTROL gives us domination over all things that are the Lords. It is not our own control, but that which God entrust us with to use for Gods glory. Control regulates the outcome of any event or situation that is put before us. We are controlled, or have an obedient submissiveness through Gods word to be able to perform the tasks he ask of us to the best of our ability to bring honor unto the Lord.
(Genesis 1:26-28)
FORCE speaks with such execution of knowledge and understanding with authority and power that draws others to listen to what is being presented. Force is demanding in edifying and lifting up others through the love and compassion of the words being spoken and also can bring judgment to those who heart needs convicting through Gods Spirit to bring them into submission of the word of God that helps brings them into the refining fire to make them pure and righteous before the Lord. There are many with eloquent of speech that force their teachings on us, but speaking without Spiritual knowledge and that of a carnal mind. For us to know for a surety of what is being taught us we have to study for ourselves through Gods Spirit to know that Gods word it truth as we prove his word to ourselves to know Gods word does not come back void in our lives.
(Malachi 3:1-3; 2Timothy 2:15,16; 3:16,17)
PRIVILEGE is a special right given of God to those servants who are called by him for the purpose of carrying out his ministry. Privilege gives us permission to take the word of God to areas that may seem unattainable to us. We are a society that enjoys privileges through the freedoms we have here in America. We have that same advantage just like Phillip who was called to where the eunuch was to minister the word to him; we are also called to minister the word where it needs to be heard.
(Acts 8:26-31)
STRENGTH refreshes us to stand and not be weary, to walk and not give up. We rely on Gods strength to help us through every obstacle that stands in our way. Satan will always try to fight against us and wear the flesh down, but our strength only comes by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit living in us.
(Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 26:40,41)
LIBERTY is freedom to speak the truth through the utterance of the Holy Spirit without allowing us to be condemned by mans laws and traditions. Jesus gave his disciples instructions on how to carry out his ministry and to go out with the Holy Spirit guiding them (ref: Matthew 10:5-42). We too have these same instructions that we should never be under worldly bondage, but that the Holy Spirit will speak all truths through us and others will receive truth through ears that are opened to the Holy Spirit speaking to them.
(Galatians 3:10-14; 5:1; 5:13,14; Matthew 10:16-19)
MASTERY is to run the race to obtain or receive the prize, being subject to the temperance, or the ways of Gods word that gives us authority through the Holy Spirit. To run the race means to do the works of the Lord and to be subject under his authority no matter the obstacles placed before us. The prize we receive is that of an incorruptible crown or a crown of life as long as we endure the trials and tribulations that come before us we will have a place with God for eternity.
(1Corinthians 9:15-27; James 1:12; Rev 2:10)
COMPETENCY is having ability to speak with authority and boldness in knowing what you are speaking is truth. There are many false prophets and teachers out there professing the word of God and give you what you want to hear so they can claim their own glory and power through vanity, but the true servant of God will be known by what power and authority they speak with and will give you what you need to hear to help you grow Spiritually into all truths.
(Matthew 7:15-29)
Everything we say and everything we do has to come by Gods Spirit working in us and through us for the edifying and lifting up of Gods people to bring us all into one body that is Christ centered. Learn how to discern what is being taught to you and how you teach others so you will always be pleasing to the father and hear the words of Jesus, “well done thou good and faithful servant”.
What is the extent of our authority in Christ -- or do we have any authority?
As believers we have the authority to walk around our neighborhood and say, "I bind the devil in my neighborhood. I bind the drug addicts and the dope dealers." We can walk through schools and say, "I bind violence, I bind perversion, and I bind New Age teaching," Because every place where we set our foot will be ours. (Deuteronomy 11:24)
When we bind the devil, our next step is to loose the peace of Jesus in our streets--loose the righteousness of Jesus in our cities.
Matthew 18:18 -- "Truly I say to you, whever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven: and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
As believers we have the authority to walk around our neighborhood and say, "I bind the devil in my neighborhood. I bind the drug addicts and the dope dealers." We can walk through schools and say, "I bind violence, I bind perversion, and I bind New Age teaching," Because every place where we set our foot will be ours. (Deuteronomy 11:24)
When we bind the devil, our next step is to loose the peace of Jesus in our streets--loose the righteousness of Jesus in our cities.
Matthew 18:18 -- "Truly I say to you, whever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven: and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
smaller
Member
Probably important when we view the above to ask ourselves what really are the intents of God in these matters? What we will find is converse or opposite workings. It is not so simple as to just declare by faith, a one sided slant. It is very provable that Gods Word works in contentions with and against the flesh. Declaring that not to be the case by faith would really not matter whatsoever to what we've already been advised, in writing.
So what we might rather ask is this: What are Gods Words intentions with sin, or with evil present in the flesh? Here we will find Gods Intentions, openly stated:
Romans 7:
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Will our declarations make the above not so? Uh, no. There is a fixed opposition of the Word, to indwelling sin and evil present in the flesh. This will not and can not change, by declarations to the contrary. If anything it will be the opposite case, as the above does show Gods Intentions with the law in relationship to the 'reality' of sin in the flesh, as OPPOSITION and AMPLIFICATION of that working.
This is a converse and opposing relationship. No different than good being in contention with evil. These are polar opposites. Declaring that evil or sin doesn't exist by faith is what I might consider laughable. Nor will declaring evil good or even worse, non-existing by faith do any good. No amount of 'faith applied' can change what God Himself has set "in the earth."
So what happens when indwelling sin, when evil present meets law? OPPOSITION. Sin hardens itself to that law and becomes even MORE sinful, just as Paul shows us above, becoming "utterly sinful." This is precisely meant to bring every mouth and all the world into a state of GUILTY before God. Romans 3:19. We as believers are not exempt from this intention either. Nor will we be hearing legitimate opposite claims than what we are told, even by declarations of faith or binding or what have we. The sin indwelling the flesh and evil present with man is and remains GUILTY, period, in believer or unbeliever.
This is not a cooperative arrangement, but an opposing arrangement. No declarations will make it otherwise. This same general sight is obtained by other scriptures, such as this one, which is "guaranteed" to happen because of this conflict between the law and indwelling sin/evil present in the flesh:
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Again we see the converse or opposing relationship with evil, getting worse and worse, exactly how Paul proposes this to be in Romans 7:13, as utterly sinful.
Is this same dictate shown in other scriptures? Yes, many. Here is another prime example:
1 Corinthians 15:
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
Some might see the futility of declaring it otherwise. The intentions of God is not to uplift the flesh, the sin dwelling therein, the evil present with man, but to AMPLIFY it so that men would know our need of His Mercy in Christ. To put us literally on our knees. IF that means the sin indwelling the flesh and the evil present AMPLIFIES with man to drag such to progressively lower forms of captivity in order to see their need of Gods Mercy and Grace, so be it by Gods Commands.
Declaring this isn't the case will prove quite entirely futile. The opposing relationship with the Spirit and the flesh will remain, regardless of any such declarations.
If we are working in "conjunction" with the Spirit, we will understand the principle, and work with it, rather than against it, according to Gods Intentions. Paul used this here, for example:
1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
The above is Paul working in accord with the intents of the Spirit. And showing the Spirit to be against the flesh. But obviously for A GREATER PURPOSE. Just as Paul proposes in other scriptures, such as Gal. 4:29 & 5:17.
This is a somewhat hard principle to understand from the scriptures. The flesh, indwelling sin, evil present in the flesh of any will neither see it or agree to it, understanding it's contrariness to the Spirit. This is not a cooperative arrangement, but an arrangement of Gods Power to amplify it, to prove it so. And in this we see Divine Superiority over ALL flesh and over ALL men.
Declaring it to be otherwise will not matter one bit. The Word has already set itself in this direction, really from the time the first law was delivered.
Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Last edited: