Some years ago I was invited by a church in North London to direct a stage play. After many weeks of rehearsals, I was confident and happy with the preparation we had put into it. On the day of performance we had our final dress and technical rehearsals to go on stage in the evening, when suddenly one of the lead characters developed this unholy fear and began to cry and refused to go on stage. After many words of encouragement he still insisted he was not going on that stage. I asked him how long he had been a Christian, he told me and I was shocked as he had been one for many years. I immediately took a spiritual stance against the situation and commanded the spirit of fear to come out of him. Needless to say this gentleman was the best in the play on that night and received a standing ovation from the audience who were oblivious of what had happened earlier in the day.
It made me realise how many believers do not realise their God given authority. How many believers live and walk defeated by the enemy, because they do not recognise their God given authority.
• Matt. 28:18-19 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
I want you to focus on verse 19 so you can see the full implication of this scripture. Jesus, after saying “All authority is given to me” went on to say “GO YE”, who was He talking to? He was giving everyone who is His disciple Authority backed by both His father and Himself.
• Luke 9:1-2 "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
• Mark 13:34 "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."
• Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;"
• Mark 16:18 "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Many believers today operate ignorant of this basic Christian principle of our God given authority as believers. The Greek word here for authority is the word EXOUSIA, which is delegated power. We also see this word Authority used by John in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave the right (power, authority, exousia) to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name": As children we also carry the same authority as Jesus did while on earth. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I have given you (Exousia) authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you."
This is the delegated power or authority we received as born again believers, backed by heaven that we should not walk defeated nor walk in fear.
This delegated authority gives us access into the throne room of Grace,
This delegated authority gives us the right to be seated with Christ
This delegated authority gives us the right to be called the sons of God.
This delegated authority gives us the right to use God given weapons of warfare which are not carnal but mighty through God in pulling down stronghold.
This delegated authority gives us the power to call on the name of Jesus.
Our God given authority as believers is similar to a police man stopping a truck. We know that physically the police man does not have the strength to stop a truck but he has delegated power so that when he lifts up his hand the truck driver has no choice but to stop. If he does not stop the policeman has the right to call reinforcement to get him arrested.
We have been given the authority to stop the devil in his tracks.
We have been given authority to fight for our family, to fight for our finances, to fight for our city, our community and see them set them free from bondages.
Don’t just sit on the fence get up, recognize your God given authority, and utilize that God given authority. You are a victor and not a victim in Christ Jesus./
You have the authority, don’t waste it use it.
