7/24/2019 02-04-The Authority of the Believer

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The Authority of the Believer

Two questions involving the authority of the believer are oftenasked: "Can Christians command ruling spirits to cast out theirunderlings?" and "Can Christians command angels to assist inspecific aspects of the work of deliverance?" The answers lie inunderstanding the authority structure of the universe, immutable lawsfixed by God.

For our protection from savage demonic attack hrist is revealed asthe head !covering" for men !# orinthians $$:%" and man the head ofwoman, offering a shield or umbrella of protection to obedient wivesand children !&phesians ':(%".

The woman is to wear a covering on her head while praying orprophesying to avoid provoking an attack by the evil angels !#orinthians $$:)*$+". ecause prayer and prophecy are a directaffront to the powers of darkness, they would be tempted to imme*diately attack any woman who would violate God-s rules. er brash*ness in disregarding this could lead into clever demonic subversionbecause of the female tendency !inherited from &ve" to be deceived inspiritual matters !# Timothy (:$/". #t is not optional that she takeadvantage of God-s compensation for this weakness !submission tomale authority: father, husband, and0or men in a local churchassembly."

ecause all authority and power has been given to 1esus hrist!2atthew (3:$3", e is the sole authority for all ministry in heavenand on earth. e "is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand ofGod; angels and authorities and powers being made subject untohim"!# 4eter %:((".

#n relation to this all encompassing authority we as believers arepositionally in hrist !&phesians $:$*$56(:/*)". 1esus explained this tohis disciples as "ye in me, and in you"!1ohn $/:(+". Therefore, inhrist, his righteousness becomes our righteousness !7omans /:((*('"6 hislife becomes our life !1ohn $$:('"6 hisauthority becomes ourauthority and we minister accordingly !&phesians /:$', $56 # 4eter/:$+, $$6 ## orinthians /:)". elievers therefore, may command anddo all that hrist did and commands to be done. The promise is:"!ruly, truly, say toyou, he who believes in me, the works that do he willdo also; and greater works than these he willdo;because go to the ather"!1ohn $/:$( 89".

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;oes 1esus hrist have authority to command angels to varioustasks< #s e capable of commanding demon spirits, even to the pointthat they are forced to order out their own underlings at hiscommand< oth questions are answered in # 4eter %:(( !above". 9llangels of all ranks are sub=ect to command because of the blanket

authority given in 2atthew (3:$3. Therefore, a believer, recogni>inghis position and the ?ordship of hrist in his own life !4hilippians(:@*$$" may have an equal expectation. ecause we shall =udge angels inthe future !# orinthians 5:%" we may, in hrist, command them now.

2any have imagined that 2atthew $(:(', (5 teaches the impossi*bility of atan casting out atan, but this is not what that passagesays. #t says that a kingdom divided against itself will collapse and thatif atan cast out atan, his kingdom and power is undermined. This isexactly what happens when believers set out to follow 1esus- example

and Adestroy the works of the devilA in the authority and power of theaviour.?et me emphasi>e that knowing our position in hrist is the key

issue, the mere use of his name will never suffice !9cts $@:$%*$5". Tothose who know that name and call upon that name in faith aschildren and =oint*heirs, all things are possible for the glory of God.

NOTE:Taken from onquering the osts of ell, pp. $(*$/.