The other day I was with a friend and needed to explain our authority as believers in Christ. The word authority basically means ‘the right to do something’. We have our rights as citizens of the country we live in. The states have their own laws which either limit or expand our federal rights. For instance we have a ‘right’ to drive a vehicle. However, we must be licensed and in order to be licensed we must pass the driver’s test.
Our driver’s license gives us authority to drive on any public road or highway. We are permitted to drive down the road but if we go above the posted speed limit, have a wreck or run a stop sign we are subject to the laws on the road and will probably get a ticket if we disobey the laws.
This is just like God’s laws. We have spiritual permission and authority to do what God has called us to do. As children of God we have permission to pray, praise, worship, come boldly before the throne of grace and more. Jesus gave this authority in His Name, because His name is above every name. We are one with Him. And if we are one with Him then we share in His authority.
But what about demon spirits, what permission do they have over us? Here is the answer, they don’t have any permission over a human being unless that person gives them permission! Many people unknowingly give satan permission over them and every area of their lives!
We as Christians should never give satan permission over any area. This is like someone coming to your door and asking to say use the phone. We see the person in need and we do what we can to help them. But then you see the person has a cell phone and you question their motives. They make their call and leave. Then you notice a few days later something you left by the phone is missing. The only conclusion is that person stole from you. We ignorantly open the door to the liar, thief and destroyer.
Then a few days go by and someone else comes knocking on your door. You, because of your Christian nature as a person of love and compassion, you let them in. Once that person leaves they take something else from you this time something of more value like your computer or jewelry. Eventually your house becomes empty and suddenly you realize you have been robbed. Then you ask yourself how could this have happened?
The lack of understanding of satan’s schemes and devices keep us in his bondage and under his authority. The robber comes to our house to steal our stuff, our joy, peace, destroy our property and maybe even try to kill us.
How would you feel if someone actually did come to your house and steal from you? I have felt pretty upset when someone broke in and stole from me many years ago. This is how we should feel when satan steals from us. We may not be able to take the physical laws of the land into our own hands but we have the right to take our authority and tell satan and his demons to go.
To me one of the greatest accounts of Jesus exercising His authority is in Mark 5:1-20. Here we see a man so possessed by a legion of demons that no chain could hold him, no one was strong enough to subdue him and night and day he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. This is not natural. The man possessed supernatural strength to break chains. But when Jesus showed up the demons understood the authority of Jesus:
Vs 7 and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!”
Then the demons were begging Jesus not to send them out of the country.
10 And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. 12 The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.
This is very important to see what is happening here. The authority Jesus has over demon spirits is the same authority Jesus gave us.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
If we are not walking in our authority over satan, his plans, schemes and devices he uses against us, then we give him authority to steal, destroy and kill!
Don’t allow demons spirits to tread upon you! We are victorious warriors with the power of the Holy Spirit, the authority in the Name of Jesus and the love of the Father! We must know the Word of God and understand that the liar does his best to keep us from the freedom and liberty Christ came to give us. Since Jesus overcame sin, sickness and death and we are seated with Him in heavenly places then we over come with Him.
More to come on this subject!
