Shalom!
I would just like to share this word to everyone who seek to understand the believer's authority in the Lord Jesus. I am still learning, and I know only in part, so I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you to the Truth.
The facts are simple to understand and straight to the point as the Lord Jesus said it to be.
First and foremost, we can see clearly that
1. All power and authority has been given to the Lord Jesus
Matt 28:18- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
2. The Lord Jesus gave part of this same power to all who believe in Him.
LK 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
LK 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.
Notice that He gave to us power over ALL the power of the enemy. Notice too that He does not desire any one of us to be hurt by the enemy. This is one of the main purpose He gave us this power- that we should not get hurt by the enemy.
This fact must not be confused with our outward perception of persecution. Persecution will surely happen, and people will try to hurt our heart, but the true believers are called to be overcomers who will conquer and demolish the works of the devil despite of persecution. Though the believer may suffer outwardly, but inwardly they will not be hurt at all.
2COR 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
When faced with despair, the believer is armed with the Hope that is of God. When faced with fear, the believer is armed with Power, Love and Sound Mind. When faced with sickness, the believer is armed with Healing that is of God. And there are more-
Knowing the whole scope of the power and authority that the Lord Jesus has given will equipped the believer to stand firm. Know too that the devil has NO power left, but only deception. In which case are appropriately called ‘wiles of the devil’ and his ‘devices’.
Ephesians6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
2COR 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
3. This power can only be exercised through faith in the Lord Jesus.
Mark 11
22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Faith is
- trust in God
- having no doubt in the heart
- believe that we HAVE RECEIVE the answer BEFORE we even see it
4. This power is put to use through our words.
23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Jesus requires us to ‘say’ or to ‘speak’ to the obstacle and hindrances that we may face, and against the devil and his cohorts, we are to command and to rebuke.
LK 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
MT 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
James 4:7
7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
From this verse, the duty to resists the devil is given to the believer. Those who has submitted themselves to God are required to resist the devil.
5. Finally, this power is given as an honour to all the Lord’s saints.
Psalm 149:8-9
8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Finally, we must realise that this is an honour and privilege that God has given to all his saints. This psalm is prophetic being that it foretold of the power that God will give to his saints. This is fulfilled hundreds of years later when the Lord Jesus speak of this in the book of Matthew.
MT 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
There is more to this power, for it extends even after the marriage supper of the Lamb, when those who are faithful shall ruled over cities of the earth. But for this age, this power is required to destroy the works of the devil. And this is the believer’s authority.
God bless
