THE WAR ROOM #23—YOUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
He appointed the Twelve, whom he named apostles. He wanted them to be continually at his side as his friends, and so that he could send them out to preach and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons. Mark 3:15
One of the most difficult things for us to grasp in this Kingdom era is the concept of authority. Although we know Jesus has given us dominion and authority, we default to believing lies of the enemy about exercising it—That’s sacrilegious! It’s presumptuous and lacks humility! How selfish and arrogant!
This is a highly effective enemy strategy to prevent us from using our delegated authority in Christ to enforce and release His victory in our lives and the lives of others! The enemy simply tells us we are crossing lines and we readily acquiesce, agreeing to lay down our God-given rights. Why do we choose to believe him rather than Jesus who said—
Receive this truth: Whatever you forbid on earth will be considered to be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be considered to be released in heaven. Matthew 18:18
In truth, authority is God’s gift to His people and permission to exercise His holy, loving and righteous rulership in keeping with His name. The Greek word for authority is exousia. It means power, authority, right, liberty, jurisdiction and strength. Exousia is powerful! It emanates from Christ in you—so preparation is imperative to the right exercise of spiritual authority. Exousia is a privilege offered to those—
Who are continually at His side.
Who spread His truth wherever they go.
Who exercise jurisdiction in Him to set people free.
Mark 3:25
Right alignment with God is the essential component of righteous authority. It’s important to be sensitive to the boundaries of your authority because you only have authority where you have been given responsibility. Even in areas where you have responsibility, your authority is only effective if it is being exercised in Christ—resting and trusting in Him.
Righteous authority does not extend to ‘name it and claim it.’ You don’t have authority to decree that something will be yours just because you want it. Your decrees must be in alignment with God’s will, promises and purposes for your life. Any promise of God is yours to decree in your places of authority.
Ask God—What is my calling? What is my passion? What mantle do I carry? Where have I been given responsibility?
These are places in which you have authority.
Your confidence does not lie in your authority. Your confidence is in the hand of the Lord and what He is able to do through you as you exercise God-given authority in your spheres of responsibility. When we occupy the places of authority given us by His Son, we advance God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!
I have received authority from my Father. I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end. Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery. I will also give them the morning star. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:26-29