Text: Luke 10:18-19
Authority refers to delegated power. Authority is legal power given to an individual to function. All believers have authority. All given authority has jurisdiction. All believers have been given spiritual authority over sin and the power of Satan, the enemy of the Christian faithful.
In exercising our authority here on earth, believers are expected to enforce kingdom legislation, that’s the will of God. The will of God being done on earth should be the goal of the believer. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 20). The business of an ambassador is to ensure he represents the kingdom he came from. The moment we become born again, our status has been changed in the spirit realm to be kings and princes of the Kingdom of God. We are not meant to become preys in the hands of the devil, our arch enemy; neither are we meant to be victims in life, because we’re victorious in Jesus Christ. The believer is privileged to have been redeemed by Christ from the curse of the law (Galatians 3: 13).
Every born-again child of God carries the seed of God in him. There are several benefits of being a born-again child of God, including spiritual and intellectual freedom as well as access to God’s health and wealth. Unfortunately, many folks in the Christian faith today still wallow in ignorance. John 8: 32 affirms that “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It is only the truth that one knows that can make him free. Truth is like a light in the life the believer. It expels darkness. Authority not exercised is wrongly lost. God knows we need authority; hence He gave us authority. It is our duty to exercise our God-given authority over sickness, death and all tricks of the devil.
The ways of enforcing our spiritual authority include confessing the Word of God at all times, praying in the Spirit, through praises and worship of God, sowing seeds and acts of kindness in the lives of others, etc. Always remember that spiritual authority is based on revelation knowledge not head knowledge. Spiritual authority is only exercised by faith in God through Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2). Christ is the source and enforcer of our authority: just call on his name and believe in your heart, then you’re already exercising that authority to the glory of God and for your own benefits.
Pastor Valentine Tunimuya is a Program Coordinator, Enlighten Word of God Ministries, Asaba, Nigeria
