Spiritual Authority 06/02/2010

17. Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to Your name."
 
18. And He said to them, "I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

20. "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."


21. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, I thank you father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father so it seemed good in Your sight.

24. "for I tell you that prophets and kings have desired to see what you have seen and have not seen it, and hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

Lately as I have been going through a major transformation process and the Lord has led me to read and study about spiritual authority. I have been studying about spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, expelling of demons that are indwelling of Christians, territories and regions. The bible clearly states that as spirit filled believers we have the ability to cast out and expel demons we also do not have to be controlled by demons or evil spirits, because as stated in the scripture above they are subject to us we are not subject to them. I have always known these things and have had a keen interest in spiritual warfare for years. God would often speak to me about spiritual warfare through dreams and visions particularly when I first began to discover the ministry God has called me to. However in reading these books my awareness of the demonic and the need for deliverance ministries has been awaked with a new sense of urgency in my spirit that God's people be set free and delivered from the oppression of the enemy. You see even though demons cannot possess Christians (possession denotes having ownership) they can oppress Christians when given permission. And yes Christians can whether unknowing or knowingly invite the demonic in.

But my question still remains as I have been studying is why do we not hear more about spiritual authority in our churches or in our every day lives. We don't hear about the training of ministers for real deliverance (referred to as deliverance ministry which in short means the expelling of demons and evil spirits). When was the last time you heard a teaching on the believer's authority over the demonic or divine deliverance from the demons of sickness and oppression? Scripture clearly tells us that when Jesus walked the earth not only did He expel demons but He also laid His hands on the disciples and told them to go and do the same. Jesus went so far as to say in Matthew 18:18 that you have the power to bind and loose things in heaven and on earth. When Jesus walked the earth He didn't have to say anything and demons began to scream out saying to Him, to leave them alone. You see apparently they knew who Jesus was and the power that He possessed. Yet Jesus said greater works shall you do. Some people Jesus laid hands on and the demons left others He just spoke and they were expelled. The authority in His voice alone was able to rebuke the demonic off of someone. (Mark 5:1-19)

When Jesus walked through out the earth He spent a significant amount of time expelling demons and healing the sick. His intention was that His followers do the same so that the kingdom of God would manifest here on earth. The ability to cast off demons and heal the sick was not for Him and Him alone but for all of us. When you look at the scripture Jesus is clearly saying "I give you this authority." Many believe that because He said "don't rejoice that the spirits were subject to you" that He was not impressed or ambivalent about you having the authority to rebuke demons. But if you look carefully in Luke 10:21 it says Jesus rejoiced in that hour in the spirit. The bible went further to say that this mystery has been revealed to babes no less, not the spiritual elite. He went further to say many prophets and kings meaning great men and women of God have longed to see this but could not but you do. You see Jesus was glad and thankful as scripture said that His people had the ability to rebuke demons. In Luke 11:20 Jesus said you know the Kingdom of God is upon you when you cast out demons.


My question still remains so why we are not taught more about our spiritual authority over the devil and the demonic world? We are taught to shout our troubles over and be nice little Christians who don't cause any harm until God decides to bless us. I am all for the process as you should know from previous post, and my book No Promise Without A Process The Makings of a True Prophet. But there comes a time when we must discern whether this thing that I am going through is God processing me or is it the enemy holding on to my stuff. Spiritual authority releases what belongs to you. If God gave you the authority, He is not going to do it for you when He already gave you authority over that thing. There are people in our lives, work places, and sphere of influence who need deliverance. They go to church everyday, they read their bibles, they pray and yet they are still under a curse. The kingdom minded people are ready to advance His kingdom. Advancing His kingdom is not about wealth. Wealth is a result of the kingdom coming upon you not the entire purpose of the kingdom. It is a result of the blessing not the blessing itself. So if you are the type of person who is always oppressed by something. You keep going around the same mountain over and over again. You keep seeing generational curses being passed down from one generation to the other. Your money is always acting funny no matter what kind of raise you get. You keep crying the same tears as you did yesterday. Maybe you are under a curse. Remember at the name of Jesus demons have to flee and Jesus became a curse on the cross so we would not have to be subject to the curse. Galatians 3:13 But you decide. Don't let the spirit of fear and intimidation stop you from possessing what belongs to you. Cast it out of you. There is so much to write about this subject. Also look at my next post entitled Blessing or Curses. I could not possibly even begin to write in this short post about Deliverance Ministry. I am saying that deliverance is available to you from every oppressive, depressive and perverted demon. Further more you have the power to possess and speak deliverance to someone else. I am recommending some books below that will give you greater understanding.

Note: I am in no way affiliated with the authors and am simply recommended these books that I have read as a personal reference. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate guide.

 
Be set free in the name of Jesus.


Samaria M. Colbert © 2010

Recommended Readings:

- They Shall Expel Demons By Derek Prince

- Witchcraft in the pews By Bishop George Bloomer

- Pigs in a Parlor By Frank and Ida Mae Hammond

- Blessing or Curse You Decide By Derek Prince

- Deliverance From Evil Spirits By Francis Macnutt

- Anything by Apostle Kimberly Daniels (Clean House Strong House, Delivered to Destiny, From a Mess to Miracles, Inside Out etc)