Multitudes of people in this world today are held hostage in their minds by the devil. They are incarcerated, locked up, and caged in their minds and emotions, held like slaves, prisoners, or detainees who are under arrest and live at the mercy of their conqueror. ¹ But, this doesn’t have to be your legacy. You can live and walk free everyday of your life all the while side-stepping Satan’s minefield. There’s simply a bunch of stuff you can avoid in life. Tests and trials you can by-pass. Discomforting situations you can live free from if you learn how to stop Satan from pushing you around.

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Why Is the Authority of the Believer Important?

When Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them out, the first piece of divine equipment they received was authority.

Mark 6:7 (TNIV)
7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

Mark 13:34 (KJV)
34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

• Jesus gave us authority.
• You should know it, understand it, study it, and continually reference it in your life and ministry for God.
• Authority was a telling characteristic of the life of Jesus.

Matthew 7:29 (KJV)
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (See also Mark 1:27 and Luke 4:36).

Jesus Plain Declaration on Authority

Luke 10:18-20 (KJV)
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.

• Jesus plainly makes the case for a believer’s authority over devils, demons and evil spirits here in Luke’s gospel.
• There are several points we should clue into in this declaration from the lips of the immaculate Son of God.

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Demons Are Real: “Behold I beheld Satan….”

Matthew 2:16–18 (KJV)
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

• We live in a world where atrocities abound.
• The same spirit which butchered these children in the first century is at work in our day.
• Mass shootings are the headlines of the day.
• Serial killers slither in the silence.
• Butchers of every flavor prowl the night.
• Abusers of mankind and decency slink like snakes on planet earth.
• What causes men to plummet to such depths of degradation?
• What causes a man like Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, and ISIS to do the atrocities they do?
• A mother strangles her child to death. And says “A voice told me to do it.”
• Years ago the Son of Sam killer gunned down people in NY because a dog talked to him.
• In another city a man cuts up a human body and carries it around with him in his suitcase. What causes this? He seems normal. He owns a car and drives to work, the same as everyone else.
• What causes a father to repeatedly molest his own daughter, his own flesh and blood?
• The answer to this is the same in all these cases, devils, demons, and evil spirits.
• Jesus said told us that they are here on planet earth when He uttered the words, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
• There is a great need for asserting and accessing authority
• Biblical authority is rooted in this fact; you are not alone on planet earth.
• In Eden, the most perfect place on the planet, Adam found out he was not alone.

Genesis 3:1 (TNIV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

• Devils, demons, and evil Spirits are real.
• The picture of the devil in a red suit and pitchfork is a fairy tale.
• It’s meant to make fun of spiritual reality.
• That’s how the game is played. Make fun of what is disagreeable and do it to such an extent that it dilutes reality.
• Satan is not an abstract idea or a figment of your imagination.
• He’s real.

Acts 19:13-16 (NLT)
13 A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus. The incantation they used was this: “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But when they tried it on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul. But who are you?” 16 And he leaped on them and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and badly injured.

• Tell the seven sons of Sceva demons are not real.
• Of course there’s the opposite side where Satan existence is acknowledged but he’s not a monster or anything.
  • He’s just a good ole boy.
  • He’s the one drinking beer and throwing parties in hell.
• If you think hell is a party, you have another thing coming.
• Hell is a real place of torment.
• And the devil is a real being whose final end is the unending nightmare of the bottomless pit.
• Where did this renegade spirit called Satan come from?
• What we know is found in these passages in the Bible.
  • Ezekiel 28:11-17;
  • Luke 10:18-20;
  • Jeremiah 4:23-26;
  • Isaiah 14:12-17.
• Satan was one of God’s created angels.
• He was created perfectly.
• He was responsible for music and led the worship of God.
• He had a throne.
• Satan had a kingdom on earth long before the six days of Genesis and the creation of Adam.
• How long he had a kingdom on earth is unknown.
• He had dealings with money in the kingdom he ruled over.
• Iniquity was found in him.
• This iniquity was pride.
• This iniquity, this pride and this lust for money and power inspired him to lead a rebellion against heaven.
• One-third of the heaven’s angels rebelled with Satan.
• He was soundly and convincingly defeated and thrown out of heaven along with the angels that sided with him.

Authority is Given Not Earned: “I give unto you power…”

• Jesus states authority is a gift given not a spiritual state earned.
• If Jesus gave us authority, then it must be something we are going to need in life.
• Who were these disciples to whom Jesus give this authority?
• The Bible tells us who they were ordinary everyday people.
  • Not spiritual giants.
  • Not super faith people.
  • Not gung-ho for God people.
  • Just everyday fishermen.
• It’s important to grasp that biblical authority over devils, demons and evil spirits are for ordinary everyday people.
• When the storms gather on your horizon, use your authority.
• When sickness tries to invade your home, use your authority.
• When strife comes out of nowhere and tries to overshadow your day, use your authority.
• Don’t put up with the devil’s junk, not for one moment.
• Do what Jesus did.
• Give him no place in your life.

John 14:30 (KJV)
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

Two Different Words Are Used for Power: “Behold, I give unto you power… over all the power of the enemy

• In the KJV, power appears twice in verse 19.
• They are not the same words in the Greek language.
• The first word power, in the phrase, “Behold I give unto you power” is the Greek word exousia and it means delegated authority.
• This first phrase translates as, “Behold I give unto you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions.”
• The second word power, in the phrase, “…and over all the power of the enemy”, is the word dunamis which means enough power to get the job done.
  • One dictionary has the word dunamis in this verse to mean ‘controlling influence.’
• The two words together in this verse could translate something like, “Behold I give unto you authority over the controlling influence of Satan who has been cast down to the earth.”
• Luke 4:36 translates the two different words for power correctly.

Luke 4:36 (KJV)
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.

• These two words authority and power show us no matter how great the devil’s power is, no matter how seemingly large his influence may seem, no matter how great the manifestation of his trouble may be, your authority in Christ is far superior.
• Your authority outranks Satan’s ability.
• You can stop him from pushing you around.
• You can stop him dead in his devices.
• Speaking about devices, what are some of Satan’s methods of operation?

The Works of Satan

• Generally speaking, Satan’s works are to oppose God and His plans.
• Specifically speaking, he desires to oppose and attack you because you are central to God’s plan.
• Satan knows you are God’s prize creation.
• Satan knows God loves you dearly and completely.
• Satan knows God has united Himself to you and intends to carry out His plans through you.
• Therefore, to oppose you is to oppose God.

Call to Action:

Biblical authority is for everyday people. It’s a godly tool in your toolbox to advance the kingdom of God on earth. God desires and even expects you to use it to stop the works of the enemy in the earth. You are sons of God. Authority is a family business.

Episode Resources

You can find more information on the subject of Authority see the following posts by clicking on the links.

1. Are You Flowing In God Given Authority?
2. Exercising Authority Over Demonic Influences
3. Terrorizing the Terrorist Encore [Podcast]

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Question: What did you learn about you learn about your authority in Christ in your last encounter with the enemy? Please leave your comments in the comments section below.

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