A solid understanding of spiritual authority is vital to build your faith when casting out demons, healing the sick, and exercising your authority over the powers of darkness.
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.” We will see through the scriptures today that Jesus Christ gave all authority to all believers.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. View this blog on video by clicking here!
Matthew 8:8-9, 13, “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it… And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”
Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Jesus’ own authority
Mark 1:27, “And they were all amazed, in so much that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”
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…” Luke 7:7, “Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” Also John 5:8, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”
Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Authority to heal
Jesus said to, “Heal the sick”! Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” John 5:8, Jesus told the man to, “…Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” The early church healed people in this same manner.
In Acts 3:6, “…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.” In Luke 9:1 that He not only gave His disciples authority over all devils, but also to cure diseases: “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” (James 5:14-15)
Mark 16:17-18 tells us that healing can come through the laying on of hands: “And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Jesus healing power left when she touched the hem of His garment (Mark 5:30)! Jesus said that those who believe will have the Holy Ghost flowing out of their innermost being (John 7:38-39), and even Peter’s shadow healed people (Acts 5:15)!
Authority to cast out demons
Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils…” Luke 9:1, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils…” Luke 10:17, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
Jesus distributes His authority
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.” Jesus is given authority:
Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Authority given to Jesus’ 12 disciples:
Luke 9:1, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” Authority given to Jesus’ 70 disciples:
Luke 10:17, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
Through Jesus’ name
Notice that the authority Jesus gives His people is not to be used in their name, but Jesus’ name: Luke 10:17, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…” Acts 3:6, “…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.” He also gave ALL believers authority to heal the sick and cast out devils as well! (Mark 16:17-18) Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” 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.”
Authority is accessed through faith
Mark 9:17-29 about how faith allows us to access our authority. When the disciples came across an unusually strong demon that wouldn’t budge (verse 18), Jesus made it clear that they lacked faith by calling them faithless (verse 19). He also made it clear that some demons are so strong that a higher than usual level of faith is required to cast them out (verses 28 and 29), and that we can gain that higher level of faith through prayer and fasting (verse 29). Matthew 17:20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
