In order to understand our rights in the Kingdom of God, we must first truly understand what authority is and what it means to us. With a diminished view of our rights and privileges, we will miss what we have actually been called to do here on earth.

We cannot walk in authority without an understanding of who we are in Christ, what God has invested in us and the greatness of the power He has given us.

But what is authority? I suppose we all have a working knowledge of what it is and could give some sort of suitable answer. However, I felt to look at the true definition would be a good starting point for us.

authority: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience

Does this seem too grandiose for you? Does it sound like you are thinking too highly of yourself to even suggest that you have the right to give orders, to make decisions and enforce obedience? If so it is only because the church hasn’t historically done a good job of teaching us who we are.

It is not arrogance to accept the authority that God has given us to use in extending His Kingdom. It is only arrogance to use it for your own gain, to build your own kingdom or to meet some selfish need.

Let me clearly state that when you are confident in who you are, it will be mistaken as arrogance by those who are still insecure. I have personal experience with this. I once complained to the Lord about a man in ministry that I felt was very arrogant only to have the Lord correct me. He said to me, “What do you think anyone who knows what they are called to do is arrogant? Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean you can’t. And just because you are not confident doesn’t mean others can’t be.”

We should be careful not to judge others through our own insecurities.

Jesus directly connected authority to faith. And when you think about it, it seems obvious why. If you don’t believe something could happen, why would you use authority toward it? Faith runs parallel to authority, and the boundaries we set on our faith create the limitations of our authority.

Maybe you have never heard any scriptures on your authority, but there are many that show we are more than just rescues in the Kingdom of God. We are indeed more! We have been given authority as Children of God. Over the next few weeks we will examine those scriptures to understand what rights we have. We will seek to understand our authority and learn to walk in it. The world is waiting, heaven is waiting, on us to do so!

Why do people say that the enemy has authority in this world? That is not what Jesus said. He said He have been given all authority. The only authority the enemy has ever had in this world is the authority we yield to him. Adam did it. We do it. That is what has to stop.

If Jesus has been given all authority, and we are the body of Christ with Him being the head, then the head of the Body of Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth. So, we have rights to the authority as we are His body and have been commissioned by Him to extend His Kingdom on the earth!

This scripture was not placed in the Bible for just one movement of the church to use and abuse people with. Maybe you have heard of the “faith movement” or maybe you have been aquatinted with someone who used this scripture like a magic cure to try and fix everything or make outlandish claims with evil intend. But the fact remains, it is still the truth and it in God’s Word.

Jesus tells us here about the basic authority those who believe have to use His name to declare things and to see change in the earth. Again, this will be spoiled by an unregenerate heart that is only seeking its own pleasure. But to the committed and submitted disciple who truly believes, power and authority is available.

There is power and authority for those who truly believe.

I believe it is hard for some of us to accept that this truly means what it says because we try to comprehend it with a carnal mind. But remember the things of the spirit are only comprehended by the spiritual mind or spiritual man. Our carnal or unregenerate thoughts will cause us to think this gives us some power for self promotion. And the desire for self promotion is such a deceptive thing. As we submit our wills and desires to Christ and grow up in Him we find the things we want to pray for and believe for will change.

Let’s learn to use our authority to extend the Kingdom of God and to love well.