Jesus Has Already Given Believers Authority

Some believers are waiting for God to give them authority one day. But that is not what I preached. If you know Jesus Christ, you are not waiting to receive authority over the works of the enemy. Through Jesus, you have it now.

Do believers already have authority over the enemy?

Yes. Believers already have authority over the works of the enemy because Jesus Christ has given it to us.

I said it plainly: I am not going to get authority. I have authority because of the blood of Jesus Christ and because of what Jesus did. That matters, because if you think authority is something you might receive later, you will keep waiting instead of standing in what Jesus has already given you.

Jesus said in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." Notice the word give. Jesus was not telling His disciples to earn authority. He gave it.

That is why I kept saying, "I have authority." You need to know who you are, who you belong to, and what power God has given you. The enemy wants to make you look like you do not have authority. That is deception.

What does spiritual authority mean?

Spiritual authority means you can stand against the enemy with authority that comes from God, not from your own physical strength.

I gave the picture of a policeman standing in an intersection while a tractor trailer is coming toward him. Physically, that officer cannot stop that truck with his body. But when he raises his hand, the truck has to stop because of the authority behind the uniform and badge.

That is the difference between strength and authority. I am not talking about your size, your muscles, or what you can do naturally. I am talking about what has been given to you through Jesus Christ.

Paul says in Ephesians 6:10, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Your strength is in the Lord. When you have done all, stand. The posture is important because standing shows that you are not surrendering your place to the enemy.

Is our spiritual battle against other people?

No. Our spiritual authority is not given so we can rule over other believers; it is given so we can stand against the devil and his works.

I said, I do not have authority over my fellow believers. If you are in leadership, you do not have authority to trample on people. God has given us authority over the devil who is trying to mess people up.

That is why Ephesians 6:12 says, "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers and the darkness of this age." Do not make another person your enemy when Scripture tells you where the battle really is.

And do not fight a spiritual battle with carnal weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." The Word of God, prayer, faith, and the authority Jesus gave you belong in this fight.

How should believers use the authority Jesus gave them?

Use that authority by standing in God's Word, refusing the enemy's deception, and speaking in the name of Jesus.

I told the church, when the enemy comes, say no. Stand and say, "Stop in Jesus' name." Why? Because Jesus has already given you authority over the works of the enemy.

But you need to know the Word. If you do not know the truth, deception can make you live as though you have no authority. Jesus answered the enemy with what was written, and you need to know where to go in God's Word too.

So get acquainted with the Word. Read it. Pray. Spend time with God. Pray in the Spirit, and pray with understanding. Then when something comes against you, let your first response be to stand in the authority Jesus gave you.

I want you to mark this down: if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have authority. You are not waiting for it. Use it for the glory of God.