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The
Authority
of the
Believer
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and LET THEM HAVE DOMINION OVER the fish of the sea, AND OVER the fowl of the air, AND OVER the cattle, AND OVER all the earth, AND OVER every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, BE FRUITFUL, and MULTIPLY, and REPLENISH THE EARTH, and SUBDUE IT: and HAVE DOMINION OVER the fish of the sea, AND OVER the fowl of the air, AND OVER every living thing that moveth upon the earth. - Genesis 1:26-28
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I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. - Psalm 82:6
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Since the beginning of time, it was the plan and purpose of God for man to rule and reign over this earth. When God created Adam, He made him the god of this world and gave him dominion over this earth to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, and subdue it. God never intended for man to experience lack or shortage of anything. Everything he needed was in the garden and it was his responsibility to multiply and replenish it.
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Adam was given a specific set of instructions on how to govern this earth, nevertheless, he committed high treason against God by disobeying His Word. In addition to that he relinquished his God-given authority to Satan, who is now called the god of this world and the legal holder to the lease on this earth (Luke 4:6 / 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). So God had to devise a plan to restore mankind back to his rightful place in the earth. This is referred to as the plan of redemption.
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God then began to put this plan of redemption into motion by establishing a covenant with a man named Abram. Upon making covenant with Abram, He then changed his name to Abra-ham, meaning "a father of many nations". The Bible says that God considered Abraham as righteous because of his faith. It was through the godly lineage of Abraham that Jesus would be born in order to die for humanity by shedding His blood (Galatians 3:6-14), thereby releasing us from the curse of the law under the Mosaic covenant. The curse of the law includes sickness, poverty, and spiritual death. These things entered into this earth through the avenue of sin (Romans 5:12).
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Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection consummated the plan of redemption once and for all, and restored back to man his dominion. That dominion is referred to in the New Testament as authority. The Bible says in John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he POWER to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name..." The word "power" in this verse is the Greek word exousia, and it means "authority". As born again believers, we were given the authority or the right to become sons of God! Just take a moment to think about that. Yes, Jesus is the Son of God; but now that we're in Christ, by His blood we are the sons of God. Glory to His name! (Hebrews 2:9-15)
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There are certain privileges we have as sons of the Most High God. One of those privileges is being able to exercise our authority over Satan, his demons, and the circumstances of life. Through the plan of redemption, which God consummated in Christ Jesus, we have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, Jesus (Colossians 1:12-13). Bless God, we have been made citizen's of the kingdom of God to rule and reign as kings and priests in the earth (Ephesians 2:19 / Revelation 1:5-6). It is our responsibility to enforce Satan's defeat by exercising our authority over him and everything he represents.
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There are far too many Christians living under Satan's domination of oppression and bondage because of their ignorance of the Word or lack of exercising their God-given authority. Many of God's dear people are clueless as to the fact that they have been given power over the devil. They are under the impression that operating in authority over the devil is only for those in the ministry. It's this type of religious thinking that cripples them from doing so. Notice what the Bible says in the Gospel of Luke:
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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.
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The word "power" is listed twice in this verse. The first instance is actually the Greek word exousia, and again, that word means "authority". Jesus has given us authority. Authority over what? Notice it goes on to say "...to tread upon serpents and scorpions." That is a reference to the devil and his demons. The second instance is the Greek word dunamis, and this word for "power" means "miraculous power". What's interesting to note is that the devil doesn't have any miraculous power. What does he have? I once heard a minister say that "the devil's power is limited to deception". Notice what the Bible says over in Second Thessalonians chapter two:
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7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all POWER and SIGNS and LYING WONDERS,
10 And with all DECEIVABLENESS of unrighteousness in them that PERISH; because they received not THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be SAVED. - 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9
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Notice that the above scripture says that Satan's Antichrist will come and manifest "...POWER and SIGNS and LYING WONDERS..." The word "power" used here is the same Greek word in Luke 10:19 when it refers to the power of the enemy. So when I say that the devil doesn't have any miraculous power, it's because he doesn't have any. It's all smoke and mirrors! Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 "...ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth..." Well, if ALL POWER has been given to Jesus, what does that leave the devil with? You got it. Zero, Zilch, Nada! That's because Jesus stripped the devil of all of his power over us when He rose victoriously over the grave. He then transferred that power (authority) back to us (the Church) to destroy the works of the devil.
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God's Word says in Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for LACK OF KNOWLEDGE..." My friend, when you don't know what the will of God is, the devil will do everything he can to deceive you and keep you from coming to the knowledge of the truth. Why? Because God doesn't just want you to get saved, He also wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth so that you can walk in victory and be saved from destruction (I Timothy 2:1-4). So understand once and for all, my friend, that you have been given authority over the devil to cast him out of your affairs. That means spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, and in every other area of your life. However, you have to learn how to appropriate it. God's not going to do it for you, because He has already done it in Christ. Now it's time for you to take YOUR authority and use it!
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Jesus said in Matthew 16:19 that He gave us the keys of the kingdom of God so that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. In other words, heaven backs up our words. Now, what you need to understand is that the "keys" represent authority. There are some keys to exercising your authority that you need to familiarize yourself with. The first key is you exercise your authority by speaking the Word of God. The Bible says in Matthew 8:16 "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and HE CAST OUT THE SPIRITS WITH HIS WORD..." Notice that Jesus cast out the demon spirits WITH HIS WORD! It's funny how folks try and do everything else but speak the Word when it comes to casting the devil out of somebody. But the Bible says that Jesus cast the spirits out with HIS WORD. Why? God has placed His authority in His Word (Mark 1:27 / Luke 4:36)
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In many instances in the gospels Jesus rebuked the spirits and they came out. Jesus didn't say to the spirit "I rebuke you!" He issued the rebuke with a specific command, because that's what a rebuke is; a sharp, stern scolding. I didn't say "yelling". Some Christians think you have to yell at the devil to get him to come out. But yelling doesn't impress the devil. Faith in the authority of God's Word does. Jesus exercised His authority with words. What words? God's Words. That is the way God created the universe. That is how Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, and rebuked storms. He spoke words.
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Whatever you want the devil to do, you have to tell him. However, you need to make sure that your words line up with God's Word (John 15:7 / I John 5:14-15). Whether you're praying for healing, deliverance, a financial miracle, etc. Remember: it's only the Word of God spoken by faith in Jesus' name that the devil will obey. That brings me to my next point. The second key is you exercise your authority by using the name of Jesus.
The Bible says in John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing IN MY NAME: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." The name of Jesus has been given to the Body of Christ to use in prayer against any circumstance in life. It is our power of attorney. We need to understand that the authority of God's Word is released when we exercise our faith in the name of Jesus. Let's take a look at the power of Jesus' name. Notice Philippians chapter two:​
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him
a name which is ABOVE EVERY NAME:
10 That at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things
IN HEAVEN, and things IN EARTH, and things UNDER THE EARTH;
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I want to focus your attention on two things in these verses. First of all, notice that Jesus' name is "...ABOVE EVERY NAME..." In other words, if it has a name it is subject to the authority of Jesus' name (i.e. sickness, poverty, circumstances). Second of all, notice that "...every knee MUST BOW of things IN HEAVEN...IN EARTH...and UNDER THE EARTH!" Glory to God! That's referring to the fact that we have authority in three worlds. Every command we issue against destructive weather patterns in the atmospheric heavens (storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.) must obey in the name of Jesus. Every command we issue in the earth against sin, sickness, financial distress, problems, etc., must obey in the name of Jesus. Every command we issue against the hosts of hell must obey in the name of Jesus.
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A very powerful Scripture that ties the authority of the Word of God and the name of Jesus together is found in Revelation 19:13, where it says "...and his name is called The Word of God." Wow! So every time you as a born again believer issue a command in the name of Jesus against a circumstance, you are throwing the entire Word of God at the situation. It doesn't matter what the problem is. That is why the Bible says over in 2 Timothy 2:9 that the Word of God cannot be bound! It is not subject to any force in the universe - PERIOD! It has the authority of the name of Jesus inherent within it. Amen! Finally, let's look at a biblical example of how the name of Jesus was used by others.
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1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man LAME FROM HIS MOTHER'S WOMB was carried, WHOM THEY LAID DAILY at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, TO ASK ALMS of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
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.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 AND HE LEAPING UP STOOD, AND WALKED, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. - Acts 3:1-8
It's amazing that this man was lame from birth and every day was carried to the gate of the temple just so he could beg for money. But that day when Peter and John arrived, God had different plans for the man's destiny. Although he begged Peter and John for alms (money), he got legs! God healed him of being crippled from birth. Now what caused this man to be healed? Notice:
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9 AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAW HIM WALKING AND PRAISING GOD:
10 AND THEY KNEW THAT IT WAS HE WHICH SAT FOR ALMS AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE OF THE TEMPLE: and they were filled with WONDER and AMAZEMENT at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the lame man WHICH WAS HEALED held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, GREATLY WONDERING.
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, WHY MARVEL YE AT THIS? or why look ye so earnestly on us, AS THOUGH BY OUR OWN POWER OR HOLINESS we had made this man to walk?
13 THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, and of ISAAC, and of JACOB, THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS, HATH GLORIFIED HIS SON JESUS; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 AND HIS NAME THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME HATH MADE THIS MAN STRONG, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness IN THE PRESENSE OF YOU ALL.
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This is what you would call an undeniable miracle! The man was lame from birth, and everybody that knew him knew that, yet, he was instantly healed by the power of God. How? Faith in the name of Jesus! If the name of Jesus is the same thing as the Word of God (Revelation 19:13), than that makes Jesus and His name one and the same, because Jesus is the Word of God, too. So when Peter and John declared that faith in the name of Jesus got this man healed, it was as though Jesus himself was there laying hands on this man to be healed. That's what Mark 16:20 means when it says "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING..." How did Jesus work with them and confirm the Word preached with signs following? Through the power of His name! When they laid hands on the sick, cast out devils, and raised the dead in Jesus' name, it was as though Jesus himself was there with them.
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Did you know that God has ordained for you to do the same thing? That's right! According to Mark chapter sixteen and Matthew chapter twenty eight, you have been "licensed" to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to your part of the world and minister to people in His name. That is your power of attorney. That is your right. You don't need four years of Bible college. You don't need to be ordained into the ministry by some organization. You already are! (John 15:16) God has given you His Word, He has given you His Spirit, and He has given you His Name. That's all you need. Now go and exercise your authority in the earth by doing the works of Jesus!
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CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have made me in Your image and in Your likeness. I thank You that You have given me dominion over this earth to govern it. You have given me dominion to be fruitful, to multiply, to replenish, and to subdue it. I thank You for restoring me to my rightful place through the plan of redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I am the Body of Christ in the earth and I exercise my authority in the earth through the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Name of Jesus that is above every name. Satan has been put under my feet, therefore, I tread upon demons and over all the power of the devil and nothing shall by any means hurt me. I render Satan and his demons powerless against me, my family, my health, and my finances. The Greater One live in me, therefore, I declare that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I overcome sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, by faith in the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I am always triumphant and manifest the knowledge of God everywhere I go, in Jesus' name!