Using Our Legal Authority (Part 2)

We have touched on this subject several times over the last few years but probably not as much as we should have. To me, one of the major deceptions that is alive and well in the church today is that God is in control of everything. We can find it in our teachings on sovereignty and in some belief systems on pre-destination. The bottom-line to these type belief systems is that whatever happens in our life is all planned and orchestrated or approved by God. This is an insidious concept that places God in the same boat as our enemy Satan. It tells us that we have no individual authority. The ultimate consequences of these belief systems are that they weaken the believer and the church as a whole. They plant doubt, create double-mindedness, and diminish our personal responsibility of doing the Word.

Let’s go back to the beginning. It’s always important to look at the Book of Genesis if we ever want to truly understand God’s original intent. Just remember, God never changes.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 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 1:27-28)

God’s original intent was to delegate authority to man. We were to subdue and take dominion. The Hebrew word for dominion is radah which means to prevail against, to rule and reign over, or to take. As we know, Adam and Eve negated that plan when they sinned.

Now, let’s fast forward to Jesus and look at what His purpose was. He was sent to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and gain back what was lost by Adam and Eve (1 Corinthians 15:22). What was lost was the spiritual authority to take dominion. Let’s consider a few New Testament scriptures:

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

And they were all amazed, insomuch 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. (Mark 1:27)

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 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. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:17-20)

As a born again believer in Jesus Christ we have been delegated authority. We have been give power over demonic forces. We have been given authority to pray for the sick and cast out demons. What the belief system of “God controls everything” does is reduce our prayers to a “hope and wish” list rather than a believing list. It takes away the very authority that was paid for on the Cross by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The reason it is so deceptive and attractive is that it removes our personal responsibility.

It is really hard to explain to people the authority God has given us unless they have personally seen it in action (like seeing a person healed or seeing a demon cast out at their own hands). That is why Jesus was so amazed at the Centurion understanding this truth about authority so quickly.

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. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Matthew 8:8-10)

You have more authority than you ever thought!!! Don’t let any religious doctrine steal that gift from you. It was paid for with a great price. You have been given the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. You have been given the power to bind and loose. You have been given the power and authority to tread upon serpents and over all the power of the enemy. You have been given the power of prayer and the prayers of a righteous man availeth much (they matter greatly). God wants you and me to take dominion. Our very life and the lives of our loved ones and others could very well depend on it!!!