how to exercise spiritual authority

Life Building Station: How To Exercise Spiritual Authority: Session I: Understanding Spiritual Authority

SESSION I UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

A. What Is Spiritual Authority?

Authority in Greek (exousia) means it is the right to exercise power or the power to rule or govern over someone or something, one whose will and commands must be obeyed (physical or spiritual). In 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10, it speaks specifically of the apostolic exercising of spiritual authority to build or to demolish. Spiritual authority is the delegated power of God for His people.

Spiritual authority speaks of Christ being the One who has the power to exercise authority over all believers. He is enthroned above all principalities and authority. He is the governing Godhead over the Church meaning to say He has transferred His authority to the Church. Upon His ascension, He has commissioned us to exercise this spiritual authority as ordained ministers for His kingdom purpose (1 Tim 2:7).

Matt 28:18-20 All authority is given unto Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

Things we can learn from exercising spiritual authority:

1. Spiritual authority is God Himself CONFIRMING His word of Truth with power to accomplish a work. Our final authority must be the word of Truth (Jn 14:12-14).

2. Spiritual authority is the power and provision of God to INVADE and TRANSFORM the world (Matt 8:1-4; 28-34; Mrk 5:1-19; Acts 8:5-8).

3. Spiritual authority is not DOMINANT but it is EXERCISED with love and liberty (Gen 3:16-23).

4. Spiritual authority CONVICTS AND PURIFIES our motives and delivers us from all forms of DECEITFULNESS. (Psa 51:1-9).

5. Spiritual authority is OPERATED in God’s power (Lk 10:19).

6. Spiritual authority is EXERCISED in obedience (Psa 95; 1 Sam 15:22; Acts 13:22).

7. Spiritual authority REVEALS God’s work on this earth (Psa 89; 104).

8. Spiritual authority is DEMANDING your rights over the devil (Jn 10:10; Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8).


B. It Is God’s Word Activated

“The Word works! It works by faith, and I HAVE faith! What the Word says about ME is true! What the Word says I am in Christ, I AM! What the Word says I can DO through Christ, I CAN DO!”

By Leo Harris

Your feelings may tell you that you are defeated, frustrated, struggling against overwhelming odds, BUT the Word says you are more than a conqueror, a devil defeater, master in all circumstances, and standing on the threshold of unlimited possibilities in Christ and through faith in the Word. God’s word is the power behind our authority.

1. God’s Word becomes ALIVE.You will never understand the authority of the believer only with your intellect; you must get the spiritual revelation of it. You must believe it by faith in your heart.

a. The REVEALED truth sets us free. Jn 8:32

b. The Word is BACKED by His character, the Name of Christ has great power. Rev 15:3-4

c. The Word is BACKED by His eternal throne. Rev 1:8; 22:13

d. The Word STANDS UNSHAKEN and is unshakeable by the onslaughts of devils or men. 2 Tim 4:2-4

e. Though heaven and earth may pass away, but the word will PREVAIL for eternity. Matt 5:18

f. The Word ASSURES us victory can be won in the physical realm when we don’t give in (1 Pet 5:8-9).

2. We need to realize that we have Christ authority over every evil spirits. We have been given the right to declare God’s Word with AUTHORITY and POWER.

a. This right CONTAINS power, life, energy and ability of God.

b. This right is POWERFUL and PREGNANT with creative energy. Luke 9:12-17

c. This right CAUSES demons to tremble. Jam 2:19

d. This right is faith in operation NOW. Rom 10:17


e. This right BRINGS healing according to God’s will. Exo 15:26

C. It Is God’s Empowering Upon Believers!

We need to MEDITATE ON THE TRUTH so that our spirit can be build to comprehend the working power of God in us. Once we do that, we will reap rich rewards (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2-3). When we have this reverent attitude, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, can lift us into a place where we can see the TRUE MEANING of God’s revelation.

The prayer of Apostle Paul to the Ephesians is the open door to exercising spiritual authority.

1. When we ACTIVATE the heavenly realm, we are putting faith into action!

2. When we speak God’s PROMISES with conviction, miracles happen!

3. When we CONFESS Jesus is Lord with our lips and bow our knees in worship, demons will tremble!

4. When we DECLARE we have been raised to new life in Christ, made complete in Him and indwelt by Him, believe it! It is so.

5. When we FEED on the truths, they become a part of our inner conscience.

6. When we are CLOTHED with the spiritual armor of God, the enemy cannot defeat us (Eph 6:11).

7. We must be DEPENDENT on the Holy Spirit to help us in ministering authority in casting out demons. We cannot do it ourselves (Matt 12:28).

Life Building Station : How To Exercise Spiritual Authority : Session II : God’s Empowerment On Believers In Exercising His Authority

SESSION II GOD’S EMPOWERMENT ON BELIEVERS IN EXERCISING HIS AUTHORITY

A. An Illustration Of Jesus Exercising Spiritual Authority

God empowered His Son, Jesus as our role model in demonstrating and exercising His spiritual authority again and again in the gospels over many adverse situations. The scripture below will give an illustration how Jesus operated in His spiritual authority.

Read Luke 4:31-37

1. He has authority to RULE over a situation.

2. He has authority to TEACH.

3. He has authority to GOVERN over the people.

4. He has authority to COMMAND.

5. He has authority to JUDGE AND REBUKE.

7. He has authority over PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS (Eph 1:20-21).

8. He has authority over DEMONS.

9. He has authority to HEAL AND DELIVER.

10. He has authority to SAVE.

This illustration reveals Jesus ministry did not only impact and influence one man to be transformed but a whole community. They were amazed at the power and authority He exercised over the demon possessed man.

B. God’s Empowerment On The Call Of A BelieverIt is not enough to just hear and know about spiritual authority. We need to be involved. God’s empowerment will enable us to carry the same spiritual authority that Jesus possessed.

1. We must know our POSITION in Christ (Jn 1:12)

2. We have been ANOINTED to minister (Luke 4:18, Acts 2:14-41)

3. We must carry power in our CONFESSION (Luke 6:45)


4. We must act in faith to COMMAND (Mark 16:17-18).

5. We must be OVERCOMERS by the blood of the Lamb and the power of His Testimony (Rev 12:11).

6. We must SUBMIT to God and resist every work of the devil (Jam 4:7).

7. We must be OBEDIENT to instruction and be EQUIPPED for every good works (2 Tim 3:16-17).

8. We must grow in FAITH, MATURITY and DISCERNMENT (1 Cor 14:20; Heb 5:14).

9. We must carry the ENABLEMENT to flow in the spirit of wisdom and revelation of the knowledge of God (Eph 1: 17).

C. How A Believer Exercises Spiritual Authority

God in His architectural design of the earth has made all things workable according to His spoken command. His word has a powerful impact over the EXISTANCE of EVERYTHING that is on the earth. Today, we can exercise the same authority through Christ to rule and reign over everything.

1. Over NATURE

Gen 1 The Creation of the earthPs 107:29 Calming of the stormLuke 8:23-25 Jesus calm the storm

2. Over SICKNESSES

Matt 8:6, 13 Healing of a paralyticMatt 9:35 Healing every sickness and diseasesMark 3:14-15 Disciples given the power to heal and cast out demonsMark 6:5; 16:18 Lay hands on the sick

3. Over DEMONS, PRINCIPALITIES AND POWER OF DARKNESS

Eph 1:20-21 Christ is far above all principalities and powerEph 6:12 We wrestle not against flesh and bloodCol 2:10 Head over all principalities and power


4. Over TEMPTATION

1 Cor 10:13 God provision to stay out of temptationJas 1:!2 God blessed those who endures temptation2 Pet 2:9 God delivered us from temptation

5. Over RELIGION

Matt 23:13-19 Jesus rebuke the religious leadersJn 2:15-17 Jesus cleansed the temple

6. Over the SINS AND THE WORLD

1 Jn 2:2, 15-17 Jesus is the propitiation for our sins1 Jn 5:4-5 Over comer of the world

7. Over DISCIPLINE

2 Thes 3:6-15 Warning against idlenessHeb 12:5-6 God’s chastening

D. Our Benefits In Exercising Spiritual Authority

On the practical aspect of our spiritual walk, our benefits in exercising this authority gives us renewed strength and power in communicating with God and with people.

There are seven evidences of change in us when we exercise and operate in God’s authority:

1. It builds up our FAITH Heb 10:22-23

2. It builds up our INNER MAN Rom 12:1-2

3. It builds up our PRAYER LIFE 1 Thes 5:16-18

4. It builds up our WORSHIP LIFE Jn 4:23-24

5. It builds up our BOLDNESS to overcome fear. Jos 1:9; 2 Tim 1:7

6. It builds up our LOVE for God and for His people. Jn 14:21; 15:12-13

7. It builds up our RELATIONSHIP with one another. Heb 10:24-25

LIFE BUILDING STATIONHOW TO EXERCISE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

Table Of Contents

Session I Understanding Spiritual Authority

A. What Is Spiritual Authority?

B. It Is God’s Word Activated

C. It Is God’s Empowering Upon Believers!

Session II God’s Empowerment On Believers In Exercising His Authority

A. An Illustration Of Jesus Exercising Spiritual Authority

B. God’s Empowerment On The Call Of A Believer

C. How A Believer Exercises Spiritual Authority

D. A Believer’s Benefits In Exercising Spiritual Authority

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how to exercise spiritual authority

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