Power to Exercise Your Authority

Key Verse to Read and Treasure:

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19, ESV)  

For Insight

Long before Jesus was crucified and risen from the dead with all power and authority in his hand, he gave the apostles authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and authority to overcome all the power of the enemy so nothing would harm them. When he sent them out for missionary work, he did not send them out powerless or helpless, they had power and authority needed to heal the sick and take the word out about Jesus. Preparing the way so people’s hearts and minds would be open to receive the salvation of the Lord. They tested and discovered the authority Jesus had given them was real and sufficient to cause demons to retreat in their presence.     

Think of the connection we have to Christ and the power we have in and through him to overcome the forces of evil that come into our life intent on destruction. The Scriptures help us connect the dots so we can have a more complete understanding of who we are and what we have through an abiding relationship with Christ.

Jesus said we have power to trample on snakes (demons), and Paul wrote we are new creations in Christ through our baptism and faith (Read 2 Cor. 5:17) and Jesus told the disciples although apart from him we can’t do anything, in him we can do all things (Read John 15:5) which includes power to fight against enemy attacks and render him helpless.

Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy but we don’t have to sit idly by and watch him do it. He comes after our marriage, after our children and grandchildren, after our businesses, after our church, but we don’t have to sit in the corner saying “tsk, tsk, it’s so sad and bad what the devil is up to.” But we can remember we have power to exercise our spiritual authority through Christ Jesus.

Think of the areas and situations in your life where you have given up your power and have allowed or are allowing the enemy to work out his plans and have his way. What will happen if you start to exercise your power and authority? As a believer dwelling in the Vine, you don’t have to let Satan manipulate your life, twist it to where he wants it, put a stranglehold on your finances, steal your grandchildren through drugs or alcohol, decide if your marriage is going to be one where you are a powerful team doing amazing things for Jesus and the kingdom, or reducing your power to parent godly children who will make an impact in this dark world. He does not have to get the say whether your church dwindles to nothing but a handful of people with no vision or purpose or power. Paul said we are to put on the full armor of God so we can be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the enemy (Read Eph. 6:10-20).

If we show up to do spiritual battle without the authority of Jesus, trying to apply the world’s methods to spiritual situations, the enemy laughs at us and keeps on doing what he does, but if we show up to the situation claiming the blood of Jesus, speaking and operating under the authority of Jesus, confident of our power through Jesus, assured we are made righteous by Jesus, the enemy can only retreat, he will have to flee.

Now, we cannot pretend to know everything we have at our disposal through Vine life, we must study to show ourselves approved just like Paul told Timothy  (Read 2 Tim. 2:15) so we know without a doubt, because the enemy can spot a phony and fake miles away. Jesus said, abide in me and I’ll abide in you. As long as we pray, study his Word and trust in his Word we can be ready for any battle and know we will be victorious because we have power to trample.

Jesus by your authority and power we have power we need to trample on the forces of darkness that come to destroy us and our loved ones. Fill us with confidence to utilize all our power and authority that you give us and learn to speak and walk in it. Amen

Ask Yourself Am I using my power and authority to do battle against the enemy? Do I feel confident and secure in the knowledge I have from the Word of God? Why or why not?    

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