Believers Authority

We know famous people in the Bible because of the impact they made in their generation. You will notice that among the various things they did, prayer was part of their life. In other words, things do not just happen like that. God has given the earth to man so He always seek a vessel to use on the earth to establish His Kingdom. Why is it that Jesus needed to come on the earth in the flesh in order to defeat the devil? Satan is a spirit and God is spirit. The angels of God defeated Lucifer and one third of the angels were cast to this earth with them (Ezekiel 28:15-18). Satan continues to fight with us here.

      “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:26-28; emp added). God gave authority to man to rule over everything. This included spiritual authority and physical authority. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said, “Behold, a sower went out to sow and as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them” (Matt 13:4; emp added). The disciples didn’t understand the parable so they came to Jesus for explanation. “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (vv.18; emp added). The birds of the air are demonic spirits. God gave Adam and Eve authority over demons! Unfortunately, sin has consequences and so by one act of sin, Adam handed everything dominion he had to Satan.

Jesus came on the screen to undo all that Adam did. “Having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross. (Col 2:14-15; AMP; emp added). Brethren, the devil does not have authority over you and he knows it. Rulers and authorities sometimes refers to physical rulers (Ti 3:1) but in this context, Paul refers to demonic entities. After Jesus died, he took all authority from Satan so affirms in Matthew 28:18 that, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Since He had all authority, He was able to relinquish to His disciples. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19; emp added).

“I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. ‘I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. ¹² As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Dan 7:9-14).

   You and I have authority to destroy the works of the devil. Therefore when we pray, we must not cower in fear. So many Christians are afraid of demons and evil forces but we don’t have to be. We must trample over them.