Day 5: Walk in Your Authority

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” - Luke 10:19 ESV

As children of God, there are certain privileges that we have that others do not have. One such privilege is authority over the forces of darkness. Consider our focus verse. Jesus told his disciples that He gave them authority over all the power of the enemy. This same power that Jesus gave to His followers back then is the same power that Jesus has given to us as believers today. The text says believers have authority, and the enemy has power. Let’s look at those words a little closer. Power denotes strength and ability. However, authority goes a step further, and it means to have the legal right to use the power given to you to rule or enforce. Notice that Jesus gave believers authority over the enemy’s power. Side note: There is a false theology floating around that says the enemy doesn’t have any power. The text is clear that it is not true. Don’t let people fool you with that false theology and lull you into a place of complacency, thinking that the enemy doesn’t have any power. The enemy does have power. More importantly, the Lord has given us authority over the enemy’s power.

This means that as children of God, we don’t have to sit around and be the devil’s punching bag. We don’t have to idly watch on the sidelines as he wreaks havoc in our lives. No, we have been authorized by heaven. We can take authority over his plots and plans.

This means that when we see the enemy at work, it’s time for us to use our authority to decree, declare, and dismantle the plans of darkness in Jesus’ mighty name. Our authority comes from the One who lives inside of us. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us and He is greater than anyone who will come up against us. As a matter of fact, 1 John 4:4b (KJV) reminds us that greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As you boldly move forward, continue in prayer about everything. When you sense the enemy’s hand at work causing confusion, chaos, or delay, take authority over the work of the enemy. Open your mouth and declare what God has said. Use the Word. Remember that the world was framed by the word of God. The Word shifts atmospheres and disrupts demonic plots. God has given you an assignment. Accept nothing less than His results for the assignment. If God said it, say what He has said until you see it! Continue in communication with Him every step of the way. Live righteously and He will guide your path. (Ps. 37:23)

Reflection: What area is the enemy wreaking havoc in your life? What have you been putting up with that you need to take authority over? Search Scriptures as it pertains to those areas. Stand up in your God-given authority. As you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, make declarations in faith according to what God has said over those areas.

Prayer prompt: Thank you, Lord, for granting me Your authority over the power of the enemy. Father, I repent for any way that I have come into agreement with the enemy as it pertains to my life. Today, I stand in the authority that You have given me, and I declare that no weapons formed against me shall prosper, in Jesus’ name.