God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:22
You and I live with the incredible benefit of all things being placed under Christ’s authority. In other words we also have authority. Knowing what you have in Christ is essential to fulfilling what He asks you to do. Knowing you have authority and exercising it will multiply your effectiveness in every area of life.
AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL
Jesus said ‘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.’ Luke 10:19
AUTHORITY OVER SICKNESS
By whose stripes you were healed 1 Peter 2:24
AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS
You have made him (man) to have dominion over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet Psalm 8:6
We exercise that authority through:
a. THE NAME OF JESUS
When we act in His name we release the power & character in His name.
Try and stop a car on the highway without a policeman’s uniform on and you won’t survive very long. With the uniform you have all the backing and authority of the nation. The car stops!
You and I have the authority to speak on Christ’s behalf with all the backing of heaven.
Mark 16:17 ‘…IN MY NAME they will cast out demons.’
John 14:13 ‘…whatever you ask IN MY NAME, that I will do’
John 16:23 ‘Whatever you ask the father IN MY NAME He will give you.’
b. OBEDIENCE
Our authority comes from our obedience to the will of God. In our submitting we take up authority. There is no authority without submission.
In Matthew 8 a Roman Centurion sends for Jesus to heal his servant. As Jesus comes to him the Centurion says “just say the word and my servant will be healed.” He goes on to explain the most important principle of authority. You have authority when you are under authority. The Centurion recognised that Jesus was under authority therefore he could speak with authority and heal the servant.
c. THE PROMISES OF GOD.
…by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4
The Bible is packed full of promises. Every one meant for you and I to believe and walk in. We use them by speaking them. By speaking these promises we begin to create realities that do not yet exist.
God cannot lie, the Scripture cannot be broken. Speak the promises of God over your life.
Begin today. Here are a few to get you going:
Matthew 7:7 Ask and you shall receive
Philippians 4:19 My God shall supply all your needs
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Exodus 15:26 I am the Lord who heals you
Try Ps Phil Pringle’s ‘The Promises’ app for iphone in the App store.