New Power and Authority: Standing Against the Enemy

Introduction

"The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says 'All Things become new.'" Throughout Scripture, we find 30 distinct transformations that occur at the moment of salvation. This document explores the twenty-first of these transformations: receiving new power and authority.

The Context of Our New Power and Authority

This new power and authority must be understood within the context of several other transformations we've already examined:

1. New Battle: We now fight against spiritual forces rather than remaining under their bondage

2. New Purpose: We live to glorify God, as Jesus did by completing what the Father asked Him to do

3. New Standard: We are being conformed to the image of Christ

4. New Vision: We see life as God intends it to be, understanding His promises and walking with Him

5. New Mission: We make disciples of all nations, expanding God's kingdom

6. New Identity: We are created in the image of Christ with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us

7. New Righteousness: We stand righteous in Christ, having become "the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus"

8. New Access: We can "boldly come into the throne room of grace" to receive help in our time of need

9. New Anointing: We have the same anointing Jesus described when He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me"

10. New Baptism with the Holy Spirit: We receive the Spirit's empowerment for service

Within this framework of transformation, we now receive new power and authority to function in God's kingdom.

From Darkness to Light: A Kingdom Transfer

Colossians 1:13

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."

This verse describes the fundamental shift in our spiritual citizenship. Before salvation, we were under Satan's dominion. Even after Christ's resurrection, Scripture continues to refer to Satan as "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31), "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and the one who rules over "spiritual darkness in heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

When we accept Christ, we are:

1. Rescued from the domain of darkness

2. Transferred to Christ's kingdom

3. Placed under His authority and protection

4. Given His power to resist the enemy

The Nature of Authority and Power

To understand our new position, we must distinguish between authority and power:

Authority: The Right to Act

Authority is the legitimate right to exercise power based on position. It represents permission or freedom to act in specific ways. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus declared, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." This statement has profound implications:

1. Jesus possesses complete authority throughout all creation

2. The enemy has no legitimate authority—he operates only through rebellion

3. Any authority we possess is delegated to us from Christ

Power: The Ability to Act

While authority is the right to act, power is the ability or capacity to accomplish something. Without power, authority is ineffective. Similarly, power without authority is illegitimate.

As believers, we need both:

1. Christ's delegated authority—His permission to act in His name

2. The Holy Spirit's power—the ability to accomplish what He authorizes

Christ's Delegation of Authority and Power

Jesus consistently demonstrated His desire to share His authority and power with His followers:

Luke 9:1-2

"And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing."

Matthew 10:1

"Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness."

Matthew 10:7-8

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give."

Later, Jesus extended this same empowerment to seventy more disciples (Luke 10:1-17). These representatives went out, ministered in His name, and returned amazed at the results: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!"

The Scope of Our Authority

Jesus clarified the extent of authority He delegates to His followers:

Luke 10:19-20

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

This passage reveals several important truths:

1. The source of our authority: It is given by Christ ("I have given you")

2. The scope of our authority: It extends "over all the power of the enemy"

3. The promise of protection: "Nothing will injure you"

4. The proper perspective: Our salvation matters more than our spiritual authority

The "serpents and scorpions" mentioned here are not literal creatures but symbolic representations of demonic forces. Jesus was speaking of spiritual authority over spiritual enemies.

Recognizing the Enemy's Work

One key to exercising our authority effectively is recognizing when and where the enemy is at work. Satan employs specific strategies to disrupt our lives and ministries:

1. Creating conflict: Especially during times of potential spiritual impact

2. Establishing patterns: Recurring problems that appear too consistent to be coincidental

3. Building strongholds: Areas of persistent resistance to truth (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

4. Exploiting ignorance: Taking advantage of our lack of awareness (2 Corinthians 2:11)

When we recognize these patterns, we can address them through our God-given authority rather than merely battling symptoms.

Personal Application of Authority

The practical exercise of spiritual authority in everyday life might include:

1. Recognizing enemy patterns: Identifying recurring conflicts or issues that seem strategically timed

2. Taking authority: Directly addressing spiritual opposition rather than just its manifestations

3. Standing in faith: Using "the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the enemy" (Ephesians 6:16)

4. Praying with authority: Interceding with the understanding that we speak from a position of delegated authority

This authority extends beyond personal concerns to our families, communities, and even nations. As we pray in Jesus' name against the enemy's work at these broader levels, we participate in God's protective and redemptive purposes.

Maintaining Proper Perspective

Jesus warned His disciples not to rejoice primarily in their spiritual authority but in their salvation. This caution reminds us to maintain proper perspective:

1. Our identity in Christ is more important than our spiritual power

2. Humility must accompany authority

3. God's grace, not our spiritual prowess, remains the foundation of our relationship with Him

The World Without Prayer

When considering the state of our world, we might wonder about the effectiveness of spiritual authority. However, the proper perspective is not "Why isn't prayer working better?" but rather "What would our world be like without prayer?"

As in Noah's day, when only eight righteous people could be found, our world might be utterly consumed by evil without the restraining influence of believers exercising their spiritual authority through prayer and righteous living.

Conclusion

When we accept Christ, we receive new power and authority—transferring from Satan's domain to Christ's kingdom. This transformation moves us from powerless victims to empowered representatives of God's kingdom.

This power and authority are not given for our ego or status but for practical kingdom purposes:

• To resist the enemy's work in our lives

• To help others find freedom from spiritual oppression

• To advance God's kingdom through Spirit-empowered ministry

• To participate in God's protective purposes in our spheres of influence

As we recognize where the enemy is at work and stand against him through our delegated authority and the Spirit's power, we fulfill our role as Christ's representatives, continuing the ministry He began during His earthly life.