Having Authority!

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:19 NIV)

The missionary report from the seventy-two who went out and proclaimed the Good News and healed those who were sick was good, but the Jesus reminded them--they rejoiced over the wrong thing, the submission of the demons to them at the name of Jesus. This they did when Jesus was with them. Now, as a cautionary note, Jesus went on to tell them, rejoice in the fact that their names were written in the book of life--not just in having authority over demons, while He was with them.

They had authority to trample on snakes--unaware of their existence, not by tempting the devil with foolishness--and not be harmed. He gave them authority--to overcome anything the enemy attempted to do them and promised them, nothing would harm them--this He did while He was with them.

Before He left to return to His place in heaven, he told the twelve (notice the reduction in numbers who operated with power), that greater works we would do--after He left, than they did while He was with them.

One of the reasons the Church of Jesus Christ is weakened and often thwarted by the enemy is because we think--the power is in the numbers. The power is not in how many people attend the building, but the power and authority is in the faith of the Believer--individually. Now, where two or three--faith-filled people gather, there is nothing they cannot accomplish when they do all in His name.

The power and authority we have is activated by our agreement with another faith-filled believer and being on one accord with Holy Spirit for the results. When we practice what we say we believe, we see the results of having power through Holy Spirit and know we cannot go wrong when we allow Him to lead.

If we want change in our society, change in our schools, change in our homes and change in our governments, we must practice the authority we have in Jesus' name by coming into agreement with other Believers, guided by Holy Spirit, and then sit back and watch Him work it out--for our good!

Before we can actively, consciously do anything in order to operate in His authority, we must Know The Word, Pray The Word, and Preach The Word, in season and out, whether people want to hear it or not (Paul's instructions to Timothy work for us today) and do all we do to the glory of God! That's Having authority!