Jesus Gives Believers Authority to Act

You can have something in your possession and still not know how to use it. That is where too many believers are with spiritual authority. We keep waiting to get something Jesus has already given us, when we need to learn what we have and how to use it.

What authority has Jesus given believers?

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He sends His disciples to act under that authority. Matthew 28:18 says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Notice what happens next. Jesus tells His disciples to go. He tells them to make disciples of all nations, and He tells them that He is with them always.

That is important. I am not going to get authority someday. I have authority through Jesus. We have to realize what has already been given and stop living as though we have nothing.

Jesus did not say He had authority only inside the church. He said all authority in heaven and on earth. Then He sent His disciples into the nations. That means we cannot think small about what Jesus has called us to do.

How do I learn to use spiritual authority?

You learn to use spiritual authority by practicing with what God has given you. Let me tell you, having a weapon is not enough if you do not know how to use it.

I used David as an example. When David faced Goliath, he did not depend on Saul’s armor. David knew what he had already used. He had faced the lion and the bear, and now he was going to face Goliath.

David told the Philistine in 1 Samuel 17:45, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.” David knew what he was coming with.

That is why I said, practice with your weapons. Some believers do not know how to use their weapons because they have not practiced. Read the Scriptures. Know what God has given you. Learn to use it.

David had proven what he knew before he stood in front of Goliath. When the bigger battle came, he did not have to reach for something unfamiliar.

What weapons should believers use in spiritual warfare?

Believers must use spiritual weapons rather than depending on carnal responses. 2 Corinthians 10:3 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”

That tells us immediately that there is a wrong way to fight. Malice does not work. Gossip does not work. Lying does not work. Those are carnal responses, and they are not the weapons God has given us.

Then 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”

Mark that down. The weapons are mighty through God. The passage goes on to speak about casting down arguments and bringing thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

You have to know the difference between fighting in the flesh and using what God has provided. Carnal weapons will push you backward. God has given us weapons for pulling down strongholds.

Why must believers know the authority they already have?

Believers must know their authority because Jesus has already given us something we are expected to use. If you keep waiting to receive authority, you may never practice walking in what you already have.

David walked toward Goliath knowing what God had given him. Goliath had his sword, spear, and javelin, but David came in the name of the Lord. David understood that the battle was not determined simply by what he could see in front of him.

That is what I want you to understand about the authority of the believer. Know what you have. Know who gave it to you. Then learn to use it.

Do not spend your life saying, “One day I am going to have authority.” Jesus has authority, Jesus sends His people, and Jesus says He is with us.

So read the Word. Practice with your weapons. Stop reaching for malice, gossip, lying, and other carnal responses that do not work.

You are a believer. Jesus has given you something to use. Learn your authority, stand in it, and use the weapons God has given you.