Friday, March 16, 2012

Understanding Authority

Think about this for a moment. A small policeman can stand in front of a giant semi and hold up one hand and say stop – and the truck stops. While the police officer can’t stop the truck with his strength, he does it with his authority. He is not relying on his strength to stop the truck but the authority he represents. We as believers are to be under God’s authority and His delegated authority. We also have authority over Satan. We do not get this authority from our own strength but from the Lord. Our personal strength cannot stop the forces trying to stop us. We exercise authority over Satan only as we submit to the authority of God. God’s Kingdom authority is what must be at work. We are children of the King and have authority to overcome every attack of Satan.

We must be in submission to God and His delegated authority. Let me give you a Biblical principle that will bring blessing and peace to your life: You will be exalted by God as you humble yourself under His authority and submit to the authorities He has set over you. All authority comes from God.

Romans 13:1-2 explains how we must submit to the authority over us, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

When we rebel against authority, we are rebelling against God Himself. This includes your boss, husband, teacher, government official, and all authorities. Satan is the originator of rebellion. He had no devil to tempt him to rebel but chose not to submit to God. When you rebel against God’s delegated or direct authority, it is sin and carries serious consequences.

In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel told Saul his rebellion would bring great consequences. He said, “rebellion is like witchcraft and stubbornness like idolatry” (15:23). Because of Saul’s rebellion and stubbornness God rejected him as king over Israel. Witchcraft is the worship of one’s self and power. Rebellion is the worship of yourself and claims to know more than God. It puts you in charge and removes God’s headship. Idolatry is the worship of something other than God. When you are stubborn and demand your own way you are idolizing your opinion over God’s truth.

In Matthew 8:5-10, a Roman centurion asked the Lord for help because his servant was paralyzed and suffering terribly. Jesus asked the centurion if he desired to see his servant healed? The Roman understood authority because he was over many and under submission as well. Jesus told this man He didn’t know anyone in all of Israel with such faith. When we exercise proper authority and submission it displays faith and maturity but also accelerates spiritual revelation in our lives.

Another benefit of submission to authority is receiving great supernatural favor, blessing and protection from God. Ephesians 6:1-3 tells us that as children honor their parents they are promised enjoyment of long life on the earth. This doesn’t necessarily mean just length but blessing, favor and protection as well. Remember to live under God’s authority, submit to His delegated authority, and exercise proper Kingdom authority over the enemy. This will bring great blessing, favor, joy, and protection to your life.

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