Text: Luke 10.19—Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
From the topic, you will realize that I didn’t say churchgoers’ authority but believers’ authority.
Going to church is good if you are a believer; if not, what we have is a religion. Today in our world we have many people sitting in church pews but not seated with Christ in heavenly places.
Eph. 1.20—Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.
Eph. 1.21—Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come:
Eph. 2.6 – And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
So without any assumptions, who is a believer?
A believer is a person who has faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and trusts in His death and resurrection for salvation.
Before we even go deep into believers’ authority, everyone must answer the question, “Have I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord?” Because if this answer is not cleared , you will be faced with this kind of question we saw in Acts. 19.15 – And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
From my own personal observation ; I realized that many people have accepted Jesus as their savior (i.e., they believe Jesus Christ died for them) but not their Lord.
Who is a Lord?
Lord simple means “owner.” Most people accept Him as their savior, while few people accept Him as their own.
Why is this so important? Because you cannot fully maximize your authority until you make Jesus Christ your owner.
Jas. 4.7 – Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Young’s Literal Translation James 4:7: Be subject, then, to God; stand up against the devil, and he will flee from you.
The Passion Translation James 4:7 So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him, and he will turn and run away from you.
New Living Translation James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2 Pet. 3.2—that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
Our Fathers of Faith didn’t just accept Christ as their savior but also as their Lord; no wonder they exercise dominion and authority over situations.
Examples from Scriptures.
Paul the Apostle commanded an evil spirit to come out of a girl in the name of Jesus Christ, and it left immediately.
Acts. 16.18 – And this she did many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out the same hour.
Peter the Apostle healed a lame man at the temple gate, saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
Acts. 3.6 – Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
Acts. 3.7 – And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Acts. 3.8 – And he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
– Many signs and wonders were done through the apostles, and many sick people were healed.
Acts. 5.12 – And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Acts 9:32-35 – Peter the Apostle healed Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years.
Acts 9:36-42 – Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead through prayer and faith.
John 14:12 – Jesus said that those who believe in Him would do the works. He did and even greater works because He was going to the Father
Again, we saw Paul exercising authority over the serpent.
Acts. 28.3 – And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand.
Acts. 28.4 – And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
Acts. 28.5 – And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm.
Friends is time to subscribe to the Lordship of God to enjoy full authority on earth.
Come to think of it, if you lead yourself to another territory against God’s will, don’t expect to exercise authority there even as a believer.
Isa. 48.21—And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
God is never committed to what He has not commanded.
Things in your life that God must be Lord over.
1. Let God be the owner of your thoughts.
Rom. 12.2 – And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Phil. 4.8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2. Let God be the owner of your will
Luke 22.42, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (NKJV)
3. Let God be the owner of your emotions
4. Let God be the owner of our words
Acts. 2.4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
*If God owns your tongue, you can’t continue to tell lies.
Prov. 12.22 – Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.
5. Let God be the owner of our bodies.
1 Cor. 6.20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Cor. 7.23 – You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
Remember, your submission to God, your Lord and Savior, is key to exercising your authority here on earth.
In a nutshell. God cannot own you (be your Lord), and you are owned by the devil.
Those who are owned by God cannot be owned by circumstances.
Jas. 4.7 – Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.