Spiritual Authority (7)

This is my final instalment in this series on spiritual authority. Authority relates to the power to influence others, make decisions and sometimes include the use of control. God has given the church authority over the earth realm and although this was subjugated by the devil, Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross restored our seat of authority. Our seating is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. One of the most potent ways for us to exercise authority is through the spoken word. “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God watches over his words to perform it and angelic assistance moves to carry out our words, spoken in alignment with the will of God.

The prince of darkness also understands spiritual authority and the power in words. We should remember that our words are not empty and also remember the power in agreement. Paul’s final words in Ephesians spoke of putting on the full armour of God. These scriptures remind us that we are always at war. This is not a physical war that we can win in our own strength. The battle belongs to God and our responsibility is to understand spiritual authority, wear our full armour and remain battle ready. Our battle is against the kingdom of darkness which includes principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. We would need another blog or teaching series to explain, the different ranks within the kingdom of darkness.

While understanding this system is important, it is even more important to wear our full armour and maintain our spiritual standing. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14-15). We need the shield of faith to quench the darts of the wicked, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. In addition to our full armour, we need to pray always in the spirit with prayer and supplication. We need to pray for ourselves and for the body of Christ, as our prayers are powerful and effective. We pray through the Holy Spirit and also pray in our heavenly language (in tongues). ”Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Our prayers and activities on earth are sealed through the name and the blood of Jesus. God has given him a name that is above every other name and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10). The world and the kingdom of darkness fears the name of Jesus, because of the power and authority in his name. We cannot be afraid to make mention of his name and to call on him in our times of need. His name heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons and restores sight to the blind. We have no power without the name of Jesus and as we approach the throne of grace, we enter through the covenant of the blood. Jesus was in the beginning and he will return to receive the church at the end of this age.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

A.P.-Y.