Welcome to part 2 of what it means to become the Sons and Daughters of the King. You can find part 1 here at: Becoming Son’s & Daughters part 1.
Last week, I began talking about how we can become sons and daughters of the King by understanding what our spiritual inheritance is
In this post, I would like to talk about authority which is part of our spiritual inheritance. There are certain rights and privileges that come with son-ship, and it is vital that we understand how we can position ourselves to receive our breakthrough and bounty for this year.
What exactly is spiritual Authority[1]? Below is the definition of authority from Dictionary.com
Authority
- A power or right delegated or given; authorization: Who has the authority to grant permission?
- Usually, authorities. Persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government:
- A person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency.
My definition of Spiritual Authority is a delegated power bestowed upon us by Jesus, so that we can carry on His work.
Jesus demonstrated that He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth.
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1).
Jesus called the disciples and gave them authority. They received this authority because of their relationship with Jesus. It was not their authority; it was His authority and power working through them.
While here on earth before returning to heaven, Jesus also gave it to us.
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 to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
As sons and daughter, we have been given an authority, which is delegated power. God Himself is the power behind our authority. The devil and his forces are obligated to recognize our authority! What do they recognize? They recognize Jesus in us, His DNA is in us.
It is much like our military, or law enforcement officers. The uniform they wear is seen as a sign of authority. They have been commissioned and set apart to do a specific task. The uniform is a symbol of their authority and position. When they are out of uniform, they don’t get the same recognition as they do when they are in uniform.
Think about it, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our uniform. We must put them on, they are our authority. The enemy doesn’t care if you are a Christian – he just wants you to be an ineffective one. Think about it for just a moment, there really isn’t much he can do if you become a Christian. The real fight is to keep you confused, walking around wondering and waiting. The enemy doesn’t want you to recognize your Power and authority as sons/daughters. He doesn’t want you cashing in on your inheritance now. The believer who thoroughly understands this can exercise their authority and face the enemy fearlessly. (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10; 1 John 4:4)
The authority of the believer belongs to every Christian. We must have an understanding of who we are in Christ. I know I keep saying it, but it is vitally important that we understand “Who we are and Whose we are!” You see, the enemies whole strategy is to keep us from learning about, understanding, and walking in our authority. If we do not know what belongs to us, it won’t do us any good.
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6).
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22).
Jesus had:
- Authority to command the wind and waves
- Authority to heal the crippled
- Authority to open blind eyes
- Authority to stop funeral processions
- Authority to feed the hungry–multiply food
- Authority to make disciples
- Plus much more
This is the same authority that is made available to us. We must purpose to gain understanding of what the scriptures say; not just a head knowledge, but a heart knowledge and understanding.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:18-23).
Spiritual authority is Our Inheritance and much like natural authority, we must use what we’ve been given in order to get results. We must practice using our authority in every area of life. We must recognize spiritually and mentally that Jesus gave us all authority on this earth. (See Luke 10:19; Ephesians 1:22-23)
Authority begins by lining up with scripture, the Words we speak and the thoughts we think about who we are and what our inheritance is. Our Authority is based solely on our relationship with Jesus that is why we must maintain our relationship. Apart from Christ we are nothing!
Our Authority, as a believer, combined with the Spending Power of our inheritance is about making us more effective in our representation of God and His Kingdom! When we realize the authority that belongs to Christ also belongs to us, our lives will be revolutionized!
[1] In my training manual “Releasing Gods Heart, Through Hearing His Voice,” I go in depth about our spiritual authority.