Exercising Spiritual Authority

by Don Rogers

In order to exercise any kind of authority, one must represent a source that is ready and able to back up the represented authority with an adequate reserve of power.

1. THE CALLING TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY

• Luke 9:1,2,6 - the disciples
• Luke 10:19 - the seventy-two
• Matthew 28:18-20 & Mark 16:17-20 - all believers
• Romans 16:20 - all believers
• James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8,9; & Ephesians 6:10-18 - all believers

2. THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY

• FAITH - rooted in Jesus Christ (Mt 16:16,18,19)
• UNITY - of belief and purpose (Mt 18:19)

It is extremely important to understand correctly what the Lord is saying about the conditions of exercising spiritual authority.  Many assume they have carte blanche or full discretionary authority to personally exercise.  That is not what is being said by the Lord. Notice the following verses which portray accurately what was expressed in the Greek language.

Matthew 16:19 - "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you forbid on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven." (Williams version)

Matthew 18:18 - "I solemnly say to you, whatever you forbid on earth must be already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth must be already permitted in heaven." (Williams version)

We must always be seeking God's will in each instance before exercising authority in Jesus' name.  Sometimes we will already know God's will because it is revealed in His Word and other times we will need a direct revelation as to what we should do and when we should do it.

3. THE MANIFESTATION OF AUTHORITY

• The keys of the Kingdom - to bind & loose what God has already bound or loosed. This is contingent on knowing God's will, not being led by our desires. (Mt 16:19) (Note: The Greek word "bind"(deo) means to "put in bonds" or "forbid" - the sense might be to restrict or limit by God's authority the activity of the enemy or even render him helpless. The Greek word "loose" (luo) means to break up, destroy, dissolve or put off - the sense might be to break up the work of the enemy, destroy his strongholds or power, dissolve or put off whatever the enemy has put in place and thus "permit" the freedom the Lord has ordained.)

Jesus appointed the twelve apostles - Mk 3:14-15 He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Tying up or (binding) the strong man - Mk 3:17 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house." ("Robbing his house" is referring to setting free those who are enslaved to Satan).

The Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them (believers) to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

• Demonstrating the presence of God's kingdom - Ministering in power (Mt 12:28) Personally, I am committed to taking God's kingdom presence, His power and authority with me whenever and wherever I minister. I go as a representative of God's kingdom, operating in the calling He has put upon me.  It is as objects of God's grace we are able to become "administrators of God's grace" to others.    1 Peter 4:10 - "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

4. CONDITIONS THAT RESIST SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

• Lack of Faith - Mt 17:19-21
• A Community of Unbelief - (Prayer group, congregation etc) - Mk 6:4-6
• The Practice of Sin - Gal 4:9; Jn 8:34,35
• The Tricks of Satan - (Hindered through deception, attacks etc.) - 2 Cor 2:11

5. GOD'S AUTHORITY COMMITTED TO HUMAN HANDS

• Moses - Exodus 14:15ff - parting the Red Sea
• Elijah - 2 Kings 2:7-8 - parting the water in the Jordon River
• Elisha - 2 Kings 6:17,18 - praying blindness upon the enemy
• Paul - Acts 13:11 - pronounced blindness upon Elymas, the sorcerer
• Peter - Acts 5 - pronounced the death of Ananias & Saphirra
• The Promise - Acts 1:8 - power from the Holy Spirit
• The Testimony - Romans 15:18,19 -

"I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit." 

(C) 1999 Spiritual Warfare Ministries, Inc.