{"id":2543,"date":"2022-05-05T11:46:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T09:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordwiseacademy.co.za\/?page_id=2543"},"modified":"2022-05-10T13:09:13","modified_gmt":"2022-05-10T11:09:13","slug":"ministry-course-module-2-8-the-authority-of-the-believer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordwiseacademy.co.za\/index.php\/ministry-course-module-2-8-the-authority-of-the-believer\/","title":{"rendered":"Ministry Course – Module 2.8 – The Authority of the Believer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
TUTORIAL LETTER 2.8<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Author: Peter Fernie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n
  • Understand the authority that you have as a believer and the power behind us as believers.<\/li>
  • Understand how and when to unleash our authority.<\/li>
  • Understand that we are overcomers and fully equipped to deal with satanic attacks.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    DEFINITION<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
    Terms<\/th>Definitions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Authority<\/strong><\/td>The power or right to give order, make decisions, and enforce obedience.<\/td><\/tr>
    Obedience<\/strong><\/td>Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.<\/td><\/tr>
    Atonement<\/strong><\/td>The action of makin amends for a wrong or injury, reparation or expiation for si.<\/td><\/tr>
    Believers<\/strong><\/td>A person who believes in the truth or existence of something, an adherent of a particular religion; someone with religious faith.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    1. WHAT IS AUTHORITY<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    We start with a look at Jesus\u2019 words when He sent out the seventy disciples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Luke 10:1\u201020 NKJV<\/strong>\nAfter these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, \u201cThe harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, \u2018Peace to this house.\u2019 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the labourer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.  And heal the sick there, and say to them, \u2018The kingdom of God has come near to you.\u2019  But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, \u2018The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.\u2019  But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.  He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.\u201d\nThen the seventy returned with joy, saying, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.\u201d And He said to them, \u201cI saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.\u201d\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Several translations (including the KJV) use the word \u201cpower\u201d twice in this verse, but the original Greek uses two distinct words: \u201cexusia\u201d, meaning authority, and \u201cdunamis\u201d, meaning power. So the NKJV renders it accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    In speaking about \u201cserpents and scorpions\u201d Jesus is making reference to the power of Satan: demons, evil spirits and all his cohorts. We need to realize that we have authority over them. Do we need any less authority today than the church had in the first century? Definitely not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The value <\/strong>of our authority lies in the fact that it rests on the power <\/strong>that is behind that authority \u2013 God Himself is the power behind that authority. <\/strong>Authority is delegated power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    A simple illustration is this of a policeman who directs traffic. He does not have any exceptional physical power that enables him to raise his hand and have the drivers stop or turn away. He has been invested with authority by the government he serves. People recognize that authority and obey his directions. In the same way, Paul told believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might <\/strong>(Eph. 6:10), and that means you can step out in front of the devil, hold up your hand and tell him not to come any closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    You may question whether you are able to \u201cmake it\u201d, but you need to understand that you CAN make it. Be strong in the power of HIS MIGHT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The apostle John wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    I John 4:4 NKJV <\/strong>\nYou are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    \u201cHe who is in the world\u201d is Satan, the god of this world and the head of principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    The power that is in you is greater than the power that is in the world, because the power that backs our authority is greater than that which backs our enemies. Hallelujah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    We will study several aspects of this authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    2. THE SOURCE OF OUR AUTHORITY: THE NAME OF JESUS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
    2.1 The Need for the Name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    We have seen in previous units that when a person receives Jesus into his life he is made a new Creature, a new person. We have seen that an actual new creation takes place within his spirit when he receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.   Spiritual death is eradicated from his spirit, and he is taken completely out of Satan’s dominion of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Colossians 1:13\u201014 NKJV <\/strong>\nHe has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Then eternal life, the nature of God, is imparted to his spirit. This is the new creation that takes place. His spirit is begotten of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    I John 5:1 NKJV <\/strong>\nWhoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    I John 5:12 NKJV <\/strong>\nHe who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    This one who has become a new creature in Jesus has become a child of God and a joint\u2010heir with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV<\/strong>\nTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Romans 8:16,17 NKJV<\/strong>\nThe Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs\u2014heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Though the one who has been made a new creation in Christ is transferred out of Satan’s authority, he is still in a world ruled by Satan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    II Corinthians 4:4 NKJV <\/strong>\nWhose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    In Ephesians he is called the prince of the powers of the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Ephesians 2:2 NKJV <\/strong>\nIn which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Satan and his forces still have an opportunity to attack the child of God through temptations and trials. The very air about us is filled with hostile forces which are attempting to destroy our fellowship with the Father and deprive us of our usefulness in the Master’s service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Our Father, in His provision, has given to us a weapon to use in this combat with Satan, not only for our own benefit but also for Satan\u2010ruled men around us. That weapon is the Name of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Before we study the authority invested in the Name, we shall study how Jesus obtained it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    2.2 The Three-fold Greatness of the Name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    There is authority within the very Name of Jesus because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    1. He inherited <\/strong>His Name;<\/li>
    2. He achieved <\/strong>the authority of His Name by conquests;<\/li>
    3. His Name was conferred <\/strong>upon Him.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      First of all, we cannot measure the vastness of the power of the Name of Jesus when we realize that He inherited <\/strong>His Name from God, the Creator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Hebrews 1:2\u20104 NKJV <\/strong>\nGod \u2026has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      As the One who is the very image of the Father’s substance, His very outshining, and the Heir of all things, He has inherited His Name, and the greatness of it, from His Father. The power of His Name then can only be measured by the power of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Secondly, He achieved the authority of His Name by conquests<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Colossians 2:13\u201015 NKJV <\/strong>\nAnd you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      The picture given to us here is of Christ in awful combat with the hosts of darkness. It gives to us a glimpse of the tremendous victory He won before He arose from the dead. The margin reads\u2026 “Having put off from Himself the principalities and the powers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      It is evident that the whole demon host, when they saw Jesus within their power, simply intended to swamp Him, overwhelm Him, and they held Him in fearful bondage until the cry came forth from the throne of God that Jesus had met the demands of justice, that the sin problem was settled, and man\u2019s redemption was a fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      When this cry reached the dark regions, Jesus arose and hurled back the hosts of demons, and met Satan in awful combat, as is described in Hebrews:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Hebrews 2:l4 Rotherham<\/strong> \n\"In order that through death He might paralyze him that held the dominion of death, that is the devil.\" \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      In other words, after Jesus had put off from Himself the demon forces and the awful burden of guilt, sin and sickness that He had carried with Him down there, He grappled with Satan, conquered him, and left him paralyzed, whipped and defeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      The words that Jesus used in Luke 11 are fulfilled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Luke 11:21\u201022 NKJV <\/strong>\n\u201cWhen a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.   He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.\u201d \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      So, when Christ arose from the dead, He not only had the keys of death and of hell, but He had the very armor in which Satan trusted. He had defeated the devil; He had defeated all Hell, and He stood before the three worlds, Heaven, Earth and Hell, as the undisputed Victor over man’s ancient destroyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      He conquered Satan before his own cohorts, his own servants in the dark regions of the damned, and there He stood, absolute Victor and Master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Is it any wonder that, fresh from such victories, He should say to the disciples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Matthew 28:18 NKJV<\/strong>\n...\u201cAll authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.\" \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      All this authority over Satan’s dominion, the deliverance of mankind from sin, sickness or any other Satanic influence or power, is invested in the Name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Thirdly, the greatness of His Name was conferred <\/strong>upon Him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Philippians 2:9\u201011 NKJV <\/strong>\nTherefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      The inference is that there was a Name known only in Heaven that was kept to be conferred upon someone who should merit it. Jesus as we know Him, the Eternal Son as He is known in the bosom of the Father, was given this Name. And at that Name every knee shall bow in the three worlds, Heaven, Earth and Hell, and every tongue shall confess that He is the Lord of the three worlds to the glory of God the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      2.3 Why the Name was Given<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      We now ask, why was the Name given?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      We notice this tremendous fact, every mention of the Name that Jesus inherited, achieved or had conferred upon Him, shows that He received the greatness of His Name after His resurrection from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      The beginning of the letter to the Hebrews tells us that He inherited His Name when He was made alive out of spiritual death:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Hebrews 1:1\u20107 NKJV <\/strong>\nGod, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: \u201cYou are My Son, today I have begotten You\u201d? And again: \u201cI will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son\u201d? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: \u201cLet all the angels of God worship Him.\u201d And of the angels He says: \u201cWho makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.\u201d \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Acts 13:33 reveals that this took place at His resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Acts 13:30\u201033 NKJV <\/strong>\nBut God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. And we declare to you glad tidings\u2014that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: \u2018You are My Son, today I have begotten You.\u2019 \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      It was after His resurrection that He revealed that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. He was raised above every power and dominion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Ephesians 1:19\u201023 NKJV <\/strong>\nAnd what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.   And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Philippians reveals that it was after His resurrection that the Name above every other name was conferred upon Him, when the Father\u2010God highly exalted Him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Philippians 2:5\u201010 NKJV<\/strong>\nLet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      We ask, why was this Name conferred upon Him, why was it invested with such vast authority and dominion? Was it for Himself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      • During the period of almost 2,000 years that He has been at the Father’s right hand, has He used it or had need of it? The Scriptures give to us no inkling whether Jesus Himself has used His Name or has needed it. He rules creation with His Word.<\/li>
      • Every mention in the scripture of the use of the Name of Jesus has reference to His Body. The Name was given to Him that the Church might use it. The ones who have need of the use of His Name are those who have become joint\u2010heirs with Him and are here in contact with men and women who need deliverance from Satan.<\/li>
      • All that He is by inheritance is in that Name, and all that He has done is in that Name, and that Name is for man. God has made this investment for the church. He has made this deposit on which the church has a right to draw for her every need. The Name that has within it the fullness of the Godhead, the wealth of the Eternities, and authority over every other power or authority known in Heaven, earth and Hell, has been given to us.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        If we could search Heaven, with all of its power and omnipotence, if we could search the dark regions of Hell’s domain, with its dominion over mankind, and if we could search the whole world through, we could not find a dominion, an authority, or any power greater than the Name of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        • We have the right to use that Name against our enemies.<\/li>
        • We have the right to use it in our petitions. We have the right to use it in our praises and worship.<\/li>
        • That Name was given to Him for us, and is ours today. It has lost none of its power.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          2.4 The Use of the Name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          Let us now study what this Name means to us. We shall first look at the prayer promises Jesus made in regard to His Name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          John records the charter promise Jesus has given us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          John 16:23\u201024 NKJV <\/strong>\n\u201cAnd in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.\u201d\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
          This promise is perhaps the most staggering statement that ever fell from Jesus\u2019 lips, that we are to have the use of His Name, the Name of Omnipotence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          He does not say, \u201cIf you believe, or if you have faith.” He has given to us His Name. It is ours, and we are free to use what is ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          When we were born into the Family of God, the right and privilege to use the Name of Jesus became ours. The Name of Jesus takes the place of Jesus in performing miracles, delivering from Satan’s authority, and bringing God onto the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          The disciples, while Christ was with them, had no need of the Name of Jesus. He met their every need. But now that the time had come for Him to leave them, He said to them that whatsoever they would ask of the Father in His Name, the Father would give to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          Jesus gave another tremendous promise concerning His Name:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          John 14:12\u201014 NKJV <\/strong>\n\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.\u201d  \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
          He had spoken to the disciples of His departure from this world. Their hearts had been saddened and troubled at the thought that Jesus should leave them. To them, it meant that everything would cease; Jesus’ ministry on earth would come to an end, and all His marvelous works that had brought healing and deliverance to multitudes would be finished. Now Jesus said this to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          His works, He told them, are not to cease.  On the contrary, they are to be multiplied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          While Jesus was here in the flesh, He was limited by His human body, He could only be in one place at a time. But now that Redemption has been completed so that man may become a child of God, each child of God is able to do locally what Jesus could do locally. The reason for this is the authority of the Name. Jesus said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          John 14:12\u201014 NKJV <\/strong>\n\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.\u201d  \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
          He is really saying this: “You will take my place down here on earth. I will be your representative in Heaven, and whatsoever you ask in my Name I will make good. It will be as though I were on earth asking of the Father.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          He realized that the heart of our conflict would be with Satanic forces, so He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          Mark 16:15\u201018 NKJV <\/strong>\nAnd He said to them, \u201cGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.\u201d \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
          Jesus has fully equipped us for our place as His representatives by giving us authority over every Satanic force and influence. He tells us that in His Name we shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Demons and disease must obey the Name of Jesus just as they obeyed His words. This is practically unexplored territory in Christian experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          Here and there some of us have experienced the authority vested in the name of Jesus, but none of us have ever been able to abide where we might enjoy the fullness of this mighty power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          3. THE NATURE OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
          3.1 The Conferring of His Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          As we saw at the beginning of this study, authority is delegated power. Its value depends upon the force behind the user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          There is a story told of the late Right Honorable W. E. Gladstone, Prime Minister of Great Britain. On one occasion, he brought in to Queen Victoria an important measure for her signature, in order that it might become law. The Queen objected to it, and, after some discussion, refused to sign. The Minister of the Crown was unusually urgent: “Your Majesty,” he said, respectfully but firmly, “you must sign this Bill.” She turned on him haughtily: “Sir, I am the Queen of England.” Unmoved, the statesman answered quietly: “Your Majesty, I am the people of England.” After a little thought, she accepted the situation, and affixed her signature to the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          This story may or may not be genuine, but it illustrates the question of authority when two opposing powers are in conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          1. The Believer, who is fully conscious of divine Power behind him and of his own authority thereby, can face the enemy without fear or hesitation.<\/li>
          2. Those who confront him bear the specific names of power and authority: “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (archas, the first or preeminent ones), against powers (exousias, the authorities).”<\/li>
          3. But, behind the “authority” possessed by the believer, there is a “Power” infinitely greater than that which backs his enemies, and which they are compelled to recognize.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            Let\u2019s review what happened when Jesus died and rose from the dead. We discussed previously what this meant in terms of the authority of His Name.  When the Lord Jesus, the Captain (Archegon, Prince\u2010Leader) of our salvation, was raised from the dead, the act of resurrection was accomplished through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Ephesians 1:19,20 NKJV <\/strong>\n\u2026the exceeding greatness of His power (dunameos) toward us who believe, according to the working (energeian) of His mighty (ischuos) power (kratous) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
            In this working there was such a putting forth of the divine omnipotence that the Holy Spirit, through the apostle, requires four words <\/strong>of special significance to bring out the thought. Their combination signifies that behind the fact of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus there lay the mightiest working recorded in the Word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Having been thus raised from among the dead, Christ Jesus was exalted by God to His Own right hand in the heavenlies. Then the reason for such mighty working was seen: the resurrection had been opposed by the tremendous “powers of the air” \u2010 “all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (aioni, age) but also in that which is to come.” The evil forces of the “age to come” had been arrayed against the purposes of God. They had, however, been baffled and overthrown, and the risen Lord had been enthroned “far above” them, ruling with the authority of the Most High.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            In calling attention to the “exceeding greatness of his (God’s) power,” we passed over four words without comment. These are: “toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:19). All the demonstration of the glory of God, shown in the manifestation of His omnipotence pointed man\u2010ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            The cross of Christ, with what it revealed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            • of obedience to God,<\/li>
            • of atonement for sin,<\/li>
            • of crushing defeat of the foes of divine authority,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              shows us a representative Man overcoming for mankind and preparing, through His Own incumbency, a throne and a heavenly ministry for those who should overcome through Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Observe in this connection the identification of Christ’s people with Himself, in this crisis of the resurrection. In Ephesians 2:1, the words read literally: “And you, being dead in trespasses and sins,” or, perhaps, to bring out better the thought: “And you, when you were dead in trespasses and sins.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Notice that we have left out the verb “He made alive” which appears in our Bibles. This verb is not in the original; the sentence is incomplete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              We find the verb that controls this passage in Ephesians:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Ephesians 1:19, 2:1 NKJV<\/strong>\n...according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead \u2026and YOU, who were dead...\" \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
              The same verb which expresses the reviving of Christ expresses also the reviving of His people. That is to say, the very act of God which raised the Lord from among the dead also raised His body. Head and body are naturally raised together: Christ, the Head; His body, the Church (ho ekklesia, the assembly of believers in Him). This is a most important statement, and one of which the definite significance cannot be overestimated. <\/strong>The same thought in another form is developed by Paul in Romans:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Romans 6:5\u201011 NKJV <\/strong>\nFor if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to  God  in  Christ Jesus our Lord. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
              Here, the death and resurrection of Jesus are shown to also include His people. This passage sets forth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              1. the death to sin of the believer with the crucified Christ, and<\/li>
              2. the consequent annulling of the power of sin over him through the impartation of the life of the resurrected Christ. The believer is thus made a full partaker of Christ’s righteousness<\/li>
              3. the believer with the ascended Christ to the heavenlies where he is made a partaker of Christ’s throne.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                3.2 The Location of the Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                To underscore the importance of the elevation of the Lord’s people with their Head, it is stated a second time in Ephesians:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                Ephesians 2:4\u20106 NKJV <\/strong>\nBut God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                This honor is not to a chosen few, but is the portion of all those <\/strong>who share the resurrection of the Son of God. It is the birth right of every true believer, of every born\u2010again child of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                When Jesus addressed his disciples and said “All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” His formal assumption of that authority took place when He sat down “on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                The right hand of the throne of God is the center of power of the whole universe, and the exercising of the power of the throne was committed to the ascended Lord. He is still there in full possession of His rights, awaiting the Father’s time when His enemies shall be made the footstool of His feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                \u201cThe elevation of His people with Him to the heavenlies has no other meaning than that they are made sharers, potentially for the present, of the authority which is His. They are made to sit with Him; that is, they share His throne. To share a throne means without question to partake of the authority which it represents.   Indeed, they have been thus elevated, in the plan of God, for this very purpose that they may even now exercise, to the extent of their spiritual apprehension, authority over the powers of the air, and over the conditions which those powers have brought about on the earth and are still creating through their ceaseless manipulations of the minds and circumstances of mankind.\u201d \u2013 Rev. John A. MacMillan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                3.3 The Rebel Holders of this Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                We made reference in our introduction to the fact that this world is under the control and leadership of Satanic principalities. We also noted that in the gospel of John, the head of these is three times referred to as “Prince of this World” by Jesus Himself. Satan\u2019s claim to the right to reign over the world’s kingdoms, made in the presence of Jesus (Luke 4:6), was not denied by Jesus, even though Satan was a rebel against the Most High, and now is under judgment of dispossession:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                John 12:28\u201032 NKJV<\/strong>\n...Then a voice came from heaven, saying, \u201cI have both glorified it and will glorify it again.\u201d Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, \u201cAn angel has spoken to Him.\u201d Jesus answered and said, \u201cThis voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.\u201d \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                Satan is still at large, and as the masses of mankind are also rebels, he maintains over them an unquestioned rule: unquestioned because it is unsuspected, their eyes being blinded to his dominance (II Cor. 4:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                The whole rebellious system is divided into heavenly and earthly sections (Isa. 24:21). These are “the host of exalted ones” (the unseen powers of the air) and “on the earth the kings of the earth” (the rulers of mankind and their subjects). Both will be judged in that day when “the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity” (Isa. 26:21) and “with His severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent (the antichrist), and Leviathan that twisted serpent (the false prophet) ; and he will slay the reptile that is in the sea (the dragon)” (Isa. 27: 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                Before these acts of judgment occur, the Lord’s people will be caught up in the rapture.   As Isaiah’s eyes were hidden to the mystery of the Church, he does not mention it, but he does speak of the hiding of the Jewish remnant from the wrath of the dragon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                Isaiah 26: 20 NKJV <\/strong>\n\"Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be past.\" \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                The “host of the high ones on high” is carefully distinguished in Ephesians 6:12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                • There are first the “principalities and powers.” The first named are mighty princes, whose principalities include large areas of the earth, with authority over the nations included in those areas.   The “powers” are difficult to distinguish from them, although attempts have been made to state the difference. They are inferior in position, probably as ministers associated in government.<\/li>
                • Following come “the rulers of the darkness of this age.” This name would suggest a ministry of deception, the keeping in darkness of the minds of men, and especially those of the leaders of thought.<\/li>
                • Finally, there are “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” \u2013 an innumerable body of demons, to whose close connection with mankind are due the grosser sins and deceptions, the stirring up of the animal passions, and the incitement to all manner of sensual and sensuous desires. These are the beings that are present in the spiritist seance, even impersonating and deceiving people of strong intelligence.<\/li>
                • These beings are also at hand in religious gatherings, and are a source of danger, especially when the emotions are deeply stirred. Many earnest people, who have been urged to surrender themselves to God, open their beings with the utmost abandon to whatever spiritual force approaches them, unaware of the danger of doing so. This often provides an opening for the entrance of demons, who under some pretext gain control of the will.<\/li>
                • The “kings of the earth upon the earth” comprise human world rulers and their subjects, all unregenerate men. An earthly ruler individually may be a Christian, but he is, by virtue of his office, a member of the great world system which has not yet come under the dominion of the King of kings. All natural men are members by birth also of this system, and so must be “delivered out of the power (exousias, authority) of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13).<\/li>
                • The seats of authority of these rebellious spiritual rulers are also in the heavenlies. From there, they have dominated the human race since its fall. There they will remain until the divine purpose of the ages is complete.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                  3.4 The Divine Purpose of the Ages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  God does not intend to tolerate forever this rebellion against His righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Isaiah 45:23 NKJV<\/strong> \nI have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                  Before this can be accomplished, the forces that provoked human rebellion must be cast down. In this regard God\u2019s method is clear. “The powers of the air” are allowed to retain their seats only while their successors are being prepared. God, having redeemed a people and purified them, has introduced them into the heavenlies on a provisional basis. When they have proved themselves they will take the seats of the “powers of the air” in actuality, thereby superseding those who have manifested their unfitness and unworthiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  This purpose, present and future, is clearly stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Ephesians 3:9\u201011 NKJV <\/strong>\nAnd to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                  • The Church is to be God’s instrument in declaring the divine purpose to these rebellious and usurping powers, and in administering their principalities after they have been unseated and cast down.<\/li>
                  • It is to be “according to the eternal purpose (prosethin toga aionon, the purpose of the ages) which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That is to say, God, through all the past ages, has had in view this wonderful plan of preparing in Christ Jesus a people, chosen and called and faithful, whom He might place in these heavenly seats to rule through the ages yet to come. It is spoken of, in the verses just preceding, as “the mystery, which for ages hath been hid in God,” one phase of this mystery being the wonderful veiling of the deity of the Son of God in our human nature, that we through Him might “become partakers of a divine nature” (II Peter 1: 4).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                    This exaltation of the saints and its object were revealed to Daniel in the midst of his own great world\u2010 visions. In verse 22 of Daniel 7, after the coming of the Ancient of Days, “judgment was given to the saints of the most High,” and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.”   A little later (verse 27) we read that “the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.” The meaning is clear. The saints of the Most High are the overcoming Church, raised to sit in the heavenlies. Below them, and as objects of their care, are the people of Israel, called here “the people of the saints of the most High.” Israel will administer the earthly kingdom, and will be head of the nations. But the exalted Church will rule over all as the executive of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    3.5 The Extent of the Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    Now let\u2019s look in detail at the powers and things that have been made subject to Jesus. As we meditate on the completeness of His authority, let us remember that He is there as the Representative of redeemed humanity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    Hebrews 2: 9 NKJV <\/strong>\nBut we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                    and “may the eyes of our understanding be enlightened” by the Holy Spirit so that we may believe, without any doubt or shrinking, that the wisdom and will of the Father have made us sharers of this same authority, and that He truly intends that we should exercise it day by day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    We notice, in Ephesians 1:20 and following, that Jesus has been\u2026 \u201cSeated\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    The act of sitting indicates that, for the time being, certain aspects of His work are in abeyance. Later, the Lord will again “rise up to the prey” (Zeph. 3:8). But for now, with “all authority” delivered unto Him, He is awaiting the Father’s time, and meanwhile exercising the powers placed in His hands for the working out of the redemption purchased for mankind on Calvary. His session is\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    “Far Above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion.”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                    1. The great princes and authorities, of whom we have previously spoken, are subject to Him.<\/li>
                    2. So are the lesser ones: He is far above all “might” (dunameos, a word used usually in the New Testament of spiritual power). This refers to that working of Satanic energy which is becoming increasingly manifest, directed as it is against the bodies and minds of the children of God.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      The inroads that are being made into Christian communities are appalling, but few in the Church are as yet awake to the fact that fresh powers from the unseen world are flooding in upon us. Nor is the cause of this hard to trace:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      • In the parts of the heathen world where the Word of God energized by the Spirit of God has penetrated, the powers of the air have fallen back. Demon\u2010possession always backs off before an aggressive evangelism, and its manifestations become less frequent<\/li>
                      • But, in our so\u2010called Christian countries, the authority of the Word is now called in question by the great leaders of the churches, and there are few theological institutions where it is recognized as the very Word of God. In like manner, the Spirit of God is dishonored:
                        • Firstly, by this very denial of the Word which He has inspired, and<\/li>
                        • Secondly, by the disregard paid to His Person and authority.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
                        • Thus there is a return to heathen conditions spiritually, and, as the agents for the overthrow of demonic powers (the Word of God and the Spirit of God) are discredited, these demonic powers are pressing in again upon our countries and people. One single evidence of this fact is the tremendous advance that spiritism is making among all classes; while, as another proof, the very doctrines of the Church, as they are becoming depleted of their vital spiritual force, are showing unmistakable marks of those “teachings of demons” of which Paul warned his hearers:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                          I Timothy 4:1 NKJV <\/strong>\nNow the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                          3. Christ sits also far above all “dominion” (kuriotetos, lordship). This term is closely allied with the preceding, much as “principalities and powers” are grouped together, the second term in each case signifying similar action on a somewhat lower plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                          • In Colossians 1:16, we find “dominion” connected with “thrones,” which throws light upon the relative term “might.”<\/li>
                          • In this passage and in that quoted from Colossians, both terms refer directly to spiritual powers. <\/li>
                          • In II Peter 2:10 and Jude 8, the only two other occasions of the use of the word in the New Testament, the primary reference is to earthly dignitaries.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                            “In this Age”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                            He sits far above “every name that is named, not only in this age”; the great names of this age are below Jesus. But what an effort religious leaders are making today to show that Jesus was only a man, and as such to be ranked with the best men. In this continued attempt to exalt humanity, there is to be recognized the working of him who deceived our first parents with the falsehood, “Ye shall be as gods.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                            “The Age to Come”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                            “But also in that which is to come.”   The coming age also yields no name that ranks with that of Jesus. In that age, moreover, the now\u2010dominant spirit\u2010forces shall be bound. Their successors, the glorified Church, shall recognize the pre-eminence of their exalted King.   United with Him, as their Head, they will have become manifestly His “fullness.” He fills “all in all,” but has chosen to do so through His body. Thus, in the age to come, the members of Christ shall have an active ministry for God throughout the limitless extent of His universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                            “Under His Feet”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                            “He put all things under his feet.” The feet are members of the Body. How wonderful to think that the least and lowest members of the body of the Lord, those who in a sense are the very soles of the feet, are far above all the mighty forces we have been considering. Yet so it is. We need the body of Christ to awake to an appreciation of its mighty place of privilege. We have underestimated our position and lived far short of our potential for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                            “Head over all”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                            “Head over all things to the church.” We haven\u2019t grasped the impact of this statement. We think of it as if it indicated that Christ was simply the Church\u2019s head in all things, all circumstances and all places. Let us reverse the words to bring out more clearly their deep significance: “Head to the church over all things<\/strong>.” His being Head over all things is for the Church’s sake, that the Church, His body, may be head over all things through Him. We need to meditate on these mighty truths and as we do the Spirit of Truth will help us comprehend their meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                            3.6 The Qualifications of Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                            We have seen on several occasions that this authority is given to every believer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                            • It is not a special gift imparted in answer to prayer, but the inherent right of the child of God because of his elevation with Christ to the right hand of the Father. He has become, through the rich mercy of God, an occupant of the throne of the Lord, with all that it implies of privilege and responsibility.<\/li>
                            • This elevation took place potentially <\/em>at the resurrection of Jesus and because of the believer’s inclusion in Him.<\/li>
                            • The elevation is wholly of the wisdom and grace of the Father. We do not “climb the heavenly steeps” by any act of faith or devotion on our part. It is ours simply to recognize the fact of this position, and to take our place in humble acceptance, giving all the glory and honor to God.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                              We earlier saw four words found in Ephesians 1:19: “toward us who believe.” <\/strong>We have discussed the first two, pointing out that all the demonstration of the omnipotence of God in Christ pointed man\u2010 ward. Now let\u2019s consider the last two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              It is not enough that God pours out unlimited blessings and supplies on us; there must be a receptive heart and attitude on our part. You may submerge a bottle in the waters of a fountain but, if the stopper is in place, you could wait indefinitely, and end up carrying it away empty. In a similar fashion many believers are, as it were, immersed in the omnipotence of God; it presses them on every side. They long to experience it, they believe it should be theirs, they are ready to receive, their spirits witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit has expressed in the Word, yet their minds have been blocked and they have not received it. That\u2019s why Paul prayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              Ephesians 1:17\u201018 NKJV <\/strong>\nThat the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                              And this should be our prayer too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              BELIEF<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                              “Toward us who believe.” Few comprehend the primary thought of “belief.” The Greek word literally means \u201cto entrust to\u201d. The English word has a twofold meaning, filled with deep significance. In it are combined two old Anglo\u2010Saxon words: “be,” to live or exist; and “lifan,” which conveys the thought of accordance. Thus to believe means literally “to live in accordance with.   We tend to consider “belief” as simply mental acquiescence with some particular truth.   But its root leads us on to action; that which the mind accepts, the will must obey.   We do not truly believe, therefore, unless our conviction is manifested in our life. When we understand this, then “belief” lines up with our understanding of “faith,” which, as James tells us is dead unless it is accompanied by corresponding actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              If we truly believe that God \u201craised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus\u201d (Eph. 2:6), our reaction should be to embrace this and flow with the authority that is ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              If we are walking in the spirit, our normal life is in the heavenlies. To establish the consciousness of this, there must be the daily acceptance of the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                              • Let us, morning by morning, as one of our first acts of worship, take our seat with Christ and give thanks to God for all that it implies.<\/li>
                              • Let us often remind ourselves that we are seated far above all the powers of the air, and that they are in subjection to us.<\/li>
                              • As our faith learns to use the Name and the Authority of Jesus, we shall find the spiritual forces yielding obedience in ways that will surprise us.<\/li>
                              • As we continue to abide closely in Him our prayers for the advancement of the Kingdom will become less and less the uttering of petitions, and will increasingly demonstrate the exercising of a spiritual authority that recognizes no national boundaries, but fearlessly binds the forces of darkness in any part of the world.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                HUMILITY<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                                While belief introduces us to our place of throne\u2010power, only humility will ensure that we retain it. As we compare the abounding grace of God and our own utter unworthiness, the question arises: Should we need such a warning? Praise God, it becomes less necessary as we grow in grace, and we become more and more like Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                But let\u2019s not drop our guard. The forces against whom we contend \u2010 the principalities and powers, the world\u2010rulers of this darkness, the hosts of wicked spirits in the heavenlies \u2010 know us far better than we know ourselves. As we attack them their return stroke is often swift and crushing. With a strategy gained in long experience in spiritual battles, they know that the offensive is their best mode of defense. One of their tested weapons is spiritual pride, and too often it proves effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                Victory over the powers of the air is a demonstrated possibility. But, since Eden, man has conveniently forgotten that God is essential and has constantly sought to show himself self\u2010sufficient.   Christ was the first of our entire race that ever cast Himself fully upon God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                With believers, the consuming desire to be independent is something which even the regenerate heart does not fully overcome. Often, just after some notable victory has been gained, there comes the subtle whisper of the enemy, and the overcomer is swiftly stripped of strength by feeling that he is strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                BOLDNESS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                                Boldness does not negate humility. In fact, true boldness only comes when humility is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                • True boldness is faith in full manifestation.<\/li>
                                • When God has spoken, to hold back is not humility but unbelief.<\/li>
                                • In the exercise of authority, there is needed a divine courage that fears nothing but God, and reaches out strong hands to bind and to restrain all that is contrary to Him.   But with this courage, there must be a continual and close abiding in God, a spirit that is alert to every urge and check from Him, and a mind that is steeped in the Word of God.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                  4. THE APPLICATION OF OUR AUTHORITY<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.1 Exercising Authority Over Others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  As a believer you have authority over the devil \u2013 you can break the power of the devil if he raises his head anywhere in your own life or the lives of your immediate family or loved ones.   That doesn\u2019t mean that you should go down the street casting the devil out of everyone you meet. You have to realize that you have authority over the devil in your household, but you don\u2019t have it in my household. Spiritual authority is much like natural authority. You don\u2019t have authority over my money, and you don\u2019t have authority over my children unless I give it to you. You can make the devil cease and desist in some of his maneuvers in somebody else\u2019s life, but you can\u2019t always cast him out because you don\u2019t have authority in that \u201chousehold\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  You are the key enforcer of authority over the devil:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  James 4:7 NKJV <\/strong>\nTherefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  The understood subject of this sentence is \u201cyou\u201d \u2013 this statement does not declare that the devil will flee from Jesus, but from you. In the same way, you are not to pray that Jesus will lay hands on the sick, it is you who are to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Notice the solemn charge that is given to us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  I Peter 5:8,9 NKJV <\/strong>\nBe sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  Peter did not suggest these folks should write to Paul and ask for his help, he faced them with their own responsibility to use the authority that had been given to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.2 Standing for Baby Christians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  We talked about how some people don\u2019t get healed, or keep their healing, in our class on Healing. And we concluded that this is not because there is something wrong with the preacher who prayed for them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  When they were first saved, they were baby Christians, and God permitted others to pray for them and carry them on their faith.   But after a while, God expects that baby to grow, walk, and start doing things for himself. God puts the baby down and tells him to walk, but many won’t. Too many people still want to be babies and have someone else pray for them all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  We want to help those who can’t help themselves, but we need to teach people so they can grow and use their own authority, because the time will come when they will have to use their own authority if they want their prayers answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  It would make just as much sense for you never to have any clothes of your own \u2010 always depending on wearing somebody else’s clothes \u2010 as it would for you never to exercise your own faith or do your own praying, always depending on somebody else’s prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  What happens to people who never attempt to exercise any faith of their own, but always rely on other people’s faith? We just read that “. . your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he <\/em>may devour..<\/em>.. “. But the believer can do something about him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Jesus (in His commission to the Church), James and Peter tell us to do something about the devil. Paul says in Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.\u201d <\/em>This means you are not to give the devil any place in you. He cannot take any place unless you give him permission to do so. And you would have to have authority over him or this wouldn’t be true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.3 Reigning as Kings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  Romans 5:17 NKJV <\/strong>\nFor if by the one man\u2019s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  The Amplified Bible says we shall “reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  God’s plan for us is that we rule and reign in life as kings: to rule and reign over circumstances, poverty, disease, and everything else that would hinder us. We reign because we have authority. We reign by Jesus Christ.  In this <\/em>life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  We’re not wandering like beggars, because we’re not beggars. We’re children of God, heirs of God, joint\u2010heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). We’re the Body of Christ. We’re seated with Christ at the right hand of Majesty on High, far above all principalities and power and might and dominion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.4 Humility vs. Poverty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  Many Christians mistakenly equate humility with poverty. By doing so, these believers have allowed the devil to cheat them out of every blessing they could enjoy. God didn’t intend us to he poverty\u2010 stricken. He said we are to reign in life as kings. Who would ever imagine a king being poverty\u2010 stricken? The idea of poverty just doesn’t go along with kingship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  We must learn to be exalted to the place where God wants us to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Ephesians 1:22 NKJV<\/strong>\nAnd He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  If we rearrange the sentence a little we bring out the true meaning more clearly: \u201c\u2026 head to the church over all things\u201d. Jesus is Head over all things for the Church\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  When we understand what belongs to us, we will enjoy the victory Christ has for us. The devil will fight to keep us from getting there, but through persistent faith in Christ, the victory can be ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.5 The Keys of Authority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  The Bible says Satan had the power of death \u2010 but Jesus conquered him. Jesus says in Revelation 1:18, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Jesus Christ took the keys away from the devil. Keys belong to the Authorized One. Those are the keys of authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  We must remember that physical death is not of God; it is of the enemy. Death is still an enemy. The Bible says it is the last enemy that will be put underfoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  You can’t live forever in this present body. The Bible tells us when it will be changed: when Jesus comes. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the bodies of us who are alive then will be changed and become immortal. Until then we have only a limited power over death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  After stripping the demonic powers of the authority that had been theirs, Christ “made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” <\/em>(Col. 2:15). Paul’s statement here refers to the fact that Christ was elevated above His enemies to the right hand of the Father, as we saw earlier in Ephesians 1. Again Paul is stressing the Father’s work in the overthrow of Satanic powers and the defeat of Satan himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  In Ephesians we also saw that the Son is seated above these powers and has the authority of the throne of God. But this is precisely where the church world as a whole has failed. It has understood that Jesus Christ is the Supreme Head of the Church, but it has failed to understand that the Head is totally dependent on the body to carry out His plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Now we can understand properly what Jesus said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Matthew 18:18 NKJV<\/strong>\n...\u201dWhatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.\u201d\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  4.6 The Armor of God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  The believer must continually be clothed with spiritual armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  Ephesians 6:10,11 NKJV<\/strong> \nFinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                  The Christian who puts on this armor and engages in spiritual warfare is marked. By spiritual warfare we mean doing the works of Jesus and taking our authority over the devil as we go about our daily lives. We are not talking about purposely trying to go head\u2010to\u2010head with Satan in some kind of prayer combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  The devil will do everything in his power to keep you from coming into this knowledge of authority over him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                  • He’ll fight you more over this than any other subject.<\/li>
                                  • Then, after you have come to the knowledge of this authority, he’ll oppose you and try to steal it from you.<\/li>
                                  • There will be tests, and sometimes people fail those tests.<\/li>
                                  • The devil wants you to throw up your hands and say the authority of the believer won’t work for you. If the Word does not appear to be working, it’s because you\u2019re not working it. We may fail, but God’s Word doesn’t fail. His Word is true.<\/li>
                                  • The enemy will resist your interference in his sphere, because he’s exercising authority over the powers of the air, and he wants to continue to do so. When you interfere with Satan’s kingdom by exercising your spiritual authority, he will attack you in an attempt to get you to back down from using that authority.<\/li>
                                  • If you successfully resist Satan’s attacks in one area, he will come against you in another area. You may as well get ready for these attacks, because they’re coming. In other words, your privileged spiritual position makes you an enemy to the devil.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                    You see, the devil realizes he cannot hold in bondage a believer who knows his authority in Christ Jesus. Such a believer is aware that he is seated with Christ in heavenly places and that the devil is a<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                    defeated foe under his feet (Eph. 1:15 \u20102:6). Furthermore, this believer is convinced that no work of the enemy can prevail against him in carrying out the will of God on the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                    4.7 How to Remain Undefeated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                    If believers take advantage of the spiritual armor provided for them, the enemy cannot defeat them. The believer must continually be decked out in this armor. Spiritual armor is outlined in Ephesians 6:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                    Ephesians 6:10\u201014 NKJV <\/strong>\nFinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.   Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                    The different parts of this armor symbolize spiritual truths which belong to the believer. Wearing this armor, the believer is protected and unhampered in his ministry of authority. All he needs to be concerned about is keeping his armor bright and well secured about him. Now let’s take a closer took at this armor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                    • The girdle of truth<\/em><\/strong>, <\/em>which represents a clear understanding of God’s Word. Like a soldier’s belt, it holds the rest of the armor in place.<\/li>
                                    • The breastplate of righteousness<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>This has a twofold application: Jesus is our Righteousness, and we put Him on first. It also shows our obedience to the Word of God.<\/li>
                                    • Third, our feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>This is a faithful ministry proclaiming the Word of God.<\/li>
                                    • Then the shield of faith<\/em><\/strong>. A shield covers the entire body.   It represents our complete safety under the blood of Jesus, where no power of the enemy can penetrate.<\/li>
                                    • The helmet of salvation <\/em><\/strong>is referred to in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 as the hope <\/em>of salvation. This is the only helmet that is able to protect the head in these days when there is a turning from the truth.<\/li>
                                    • Finally, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God<\/em><\/strong>. This demonstrates the need to use the Word offensively.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                                      4.8 Authority Over Demon Spirits, Not Human Wills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                      Although we have authority over demon spirits, we do not have authority over our fellowmen or their wills. We miss it a lot of times in thinking that we do. We have authority over demons, and we can control them as far as our lives or our family’s lives are concerned, but we can’t always control them when other people are concerned, because that person’s will comes into play. There are times when a person is having difficulties and may very well be oppressed by an evil spirit (oppressed is not the same as possessed \u2013 the latter involves complete domination of spirit, soul and body) and is quite willing to continue in that state. One example might be a spirit of deception which has brought wrong teaching which holds a person in bondage. Holding to eastern religions, which deny much of what the Word teaches, is a subtle form of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      We find an interesting Scriptural case study in Acts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      Acts 16:16\u201019 NKJV <\/strong>\nNow it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune\u2010telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, \u201cThese men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.\u201d And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, \u201cI command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.\u201d And he came out that very hour.  But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.  \n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                                      Paul could not use the direct authority of the Name of Jesus to deal with this situation, because the girl was very content with her condition (and so were her masters!). Instead, he had to wait for the manifestation of the Spirit; he had to wait until the Spirit of God gave him discerning of spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      You see, you can run the devil away from yourself or your house anytime. If a person is on your premises, you also have authority over him. But when you get away from where your domain is, the evil spirits have a right to be there, because Satan is the god of this world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      That’s the reason Paul had to wait many days to deliver the demon\u2010possessed girl. He didn’t command that spirit to leave her the first day she began following him.   He waited, and when the right time came, he spoke to that spirit, and it came out of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      The Bible says, concerning the ministry of Jesus, that He cast spirits out with His Word. It also says that He cast them out by the Spirit of God. It wasn’t just His Word speaking apart from the Spirit of God. Read the twelfth chapter of Matthew. The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils (v. 24). Jesus replied, “…if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you<\/em>” (v. 28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      We know from the Word that we have spiritual authority, but we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to help us in ministering authority. We can’t do it by ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      4.9 How to Deal with Demons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                      We’ve got to depend on the Spirit of God to know when demons are present and to know how to deal with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      We’re helpless without both the Spirit and the Word. Don’t just be a Word person without the Spirit, and don’t just be a Spirit person without the Word. Many try to act on the Word of God without the Spirit of God. You’ve got to have both of them. The Spirit and the Word agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      Kenneth E. Hagin said: \u201cYou don’t need to deal with a spirit in every case of healing. But if you have to, the Lord will show you. The way I see it, God’s an intelligent Being, and I’m an intelligent being, and He can tell me if an evil spirit is present. I go as much by what He doesn’t say as I do by what He does say. <\/em>If He doesn’t say anything, I don’t try to deal with an evil spirit. I go on and minister healing to the person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      Helpless people need to be helped. Sometimes you can carry them on your own faith. But people who know \u2010 people who are enlightened \u2010 have to walk in the light of what they know. Some people are more enlightened than others.  The more you know, the more is required of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      You can be released from oppression to your body and your mind. You can exercise spiritual authority over others as long as they are in your presence. You can take authority over all unseen forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                                      If you learn how to exercise spiritual authority like this, it will work in your home as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n