Understanding Spiritual Authority
by Dr. Steve Wittmann
Understanding Spiritual Authority
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Favorite Verse
Proverbs 25:2 – It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. - KJV
There are two sides to every coin.
Law Enforcement Represents Authority
Mat 8:9 "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me;
Authority ends when you step outside of your assigned role.
But what is your assigned role? What do you have authority to do?
John 14:12-13 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”
The same works Jesus came to do. So, what works did Jesus come to do?
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
In addition to sharing Jesus, the good news of the gospel, we are also called to bring liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.
Your authority in Christ, equips you to lead others out of bondage. But what is bondage?
Biblical Authority
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (JUB)
Authority Over Who? The person to your right? Your neighbor across the street?
Authority over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.
Authority Tools
Binding & Loosing:
Mat 16:19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
Withstanding:
Dan 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Sometimes called “Standing in the Gap.”
Authority in Prayer
Don’t pray and tell God what you want to do. Instead use your authority and do it.
Changes prayer from passive to active. The Sword of the Spirit
You cannot force a person to receive freedom who does not want it.
Petition vs. Proclamation (Passive vs. Active)
Seated in Authority
Eph 2:4-6 But God…made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
1Co 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?
The Three Heavens
Heaven’s Governmental Structure
Col 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Authority in Action
Demons recognize Jesus’ authority.
Luke 4:34 "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus gave you His authority, so demons will recognize His authority in you.
Demons will try to convince you that your authority is no good – that it won’t work.
"One morning, a demon awoke..."
Authority & Tradition
Equal Authority Throughout the Body of Christ:
- Early Christians were raised in Judaism where authority was not equal.
- Examples: Noise and Hair
- Jesus reveals His identity
- The 1st Evangelist
- In the cultures of the early church, a robe’s hem held one’s authority.
The Sons of God
Authority and Identity:
- Bene Ha Elohim vs. Bene Ha Adam
- Rom 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
- Only man experienced a face-to-face intimate encounter with his creator.
Rom 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
Summary
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Authority ends when you step outside of your assigned role.
Share the Gospel, Heal the Brokenhearted, & Free Hostages - You have authority over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.
- Your tools are binding and loosing, withstanding or standing in the gap, and The Sword of the Spirit or proclaiming God’s Word.
- You are “seated” in authority in heaven’s government level called “Thrones.”
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You are “seated” in authority in heaven’s government level called “Thrones.”
Do not believe this lie! -
Authority is equal across the Body of Christ.
Follow truth not tradition. - In Christ, you are a new creation—no longer a Son-of-Adam, but now a Son-of-God, Bene Ha Elohim.
What's Next?
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