The Authority of The Believer - Authority over Evil

The Authority of The Believer - Authority over Evil

Authority over evil is one of the core tenets of Christianity. According to the Bible, believers in Christ have the authority to resist and overcome evil, including evil spirits. This authority comes from the power of Christ, who conquered sin and death through his death and resurrection. In this post, we will explore why believers have this authority, give biblical examples, and provide modern-day examples where believers have demonstrated their authority over evil.

Why do believers have authority over evil?

Believers in Christ have authority over evil because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. When someone accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they become a child of God and receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the source of our power to resist evil, and that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us? - Romans 8:11(AMPC) “And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.”

Jesus himself gave his disciples authority over evil spirits when he sent them out to preach the gospel Matthew 10:1(AMPC) declares “AND JESUS summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.” Later, Jesus also? told them, "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you." That's from Luke 10:19(AMPC). This authority was not limited to the disciples but is available to all believers in Christ.

There are many examples in the Bible of believers demonstrating authority over evil. Here are a few:

Of course Jesus Himself casting out demons: Throughout the gospels, Jesus is shown casting out demons from people who were possessed. For instance, Jesus casts out a legion of demons from a man who was living among the tombs.?In Mark 5:1-20 (AMPC) it reads, “THEY CAME to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gerasenes.?And as soon as He got out of the boat, there met Him out of the tombs a man [under the power] of an unclean spirit. This man continually lived among the tombs, and no one could subdue him any more, even with a chain;?For he had been bound often with shackles for the feet and handcuffs, but the handcuffs of [light] chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he rubbed and ground together and broke in pieces; and no one had strength enough to restrain or tame him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always shrieking and screaming and beating and bruising and cutting himself with stones. And when from a distance he saw Jesus, he ran and fell on his knees before Him in homage,?And crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What is there in common between us?] I solemnly implore you by God, do not begin to torment me! For Jesus was commanding, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit! And He asked him, What is your name? He replied, My name is Legion, for we are many. And he kept begging Him urgently not to send them [himself and the other demons] away out of that region. Now a great herd of hogs was grazing there on the hillside.?And the demons begged Him, saying, Send us to the hogs, that we may go into them! So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out [of the man] and entered into the hogs; and the herd, numbering about 2,000, rushed headlong down the steep slope into the sea and were drowned in the sea. The hog feeders ran away, and told [it] in the town and in the country. And [the people] came to see what it was that had taken place. And they came to Jesus and looked intently and searchingly at the man who had been a demoniac, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, [the same man] who had had the legion [of demons]; and they were seized with alarm and struck with fear. And those who had seen it related in full what had happened to the man possessed by demons and to the hogs. And they began to beg [Jesus] to leave their neighborhood. And when He had stepped into the boat, the man who had been controlled by the unclean spirits kept begging Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you. And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marveled.”

Peter and John healing a lame man: Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth. When they encounter him at the temple gate, Peter tells him, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." The man is instantly healed and begins walking and leaping. Acts 3:1-10(AMPC) reads, “NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon), [When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift. And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us! And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady, And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking about and praising God, And they recognized him as the man who usually sat [begging] for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement (bewilderment, consternation) over what had occurred to him.”

Paul casting out a demon: Paul and Silas encounter a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit that enabled her to tell fortunes. Paul commands the spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus Christ, and it leaves her immediately.It is described in Acts 16:16-18 (AMPC) as such, “As we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination [claiming to foretell future events and to discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners much gain by her fortune telling. She kept following Paul and [the rest of] us, shouting loudly, These men are the servants of the Most High God! They announce to you the way of salvation! And she did this for many days. Then Paul, being sorely annoyed and worn out, turned and said to the spirit within her, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out that very moment.”

Believers in Christ continue to demonstrate authority over evil today. Here are a few modern-day examples:

Derek Prince (14 August 1915 -? 24 September 2003) Derek Prince was a British Bible teacher who had a worldwide ministry. In one of his books, "They Shall Expel Demons," he describes several instances where he cast out demons in the name of Jesus. One of these instances was when he was ministering in Kenya, and a woman came to him who was possessed by a demon. He commanded the demon to come out of her, and it left her immediately. Derek Prince's ministry spanned over several decades and was marked by his deep knowledge of the Bible and his passion for teaching others about the truth of God's word. He authored over 50 books and recorded numerous teachings on a wide range of topics related to the Christian faith, including spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. "They Shall Expel Demons," became a classic in the field of deliverance ministry and has helped many people understand the power and authority we have in Christ over the forces of darkness. Derek Prince traveled extensively throughout the world, ministering to people in countries such as Israel, Africa, and the United States. He saw many people set free from demonic oppression and other forms of bondage through the power of prayer and the name of Jesus. Derek Prince passed away on September 24, 2003, but his teachings and ministry continue to impact countless people around the world.

Heidi Baker (29 August 1959 - Present) Heidi Baker is a missionary who has ministered in Mozambique for many years. In her book, "Compelled by Love," she describes several instances where she and her team encountered people who were possessed by demons. In one instance, a woman who was possessed by a demon attacked one of Heidi's team members. Heidi commanded the demon to come out of the woman in the name of Jesus, and it left her immediately. Heidi Baker's ministry in Mozambique has been characterized by her deep love for the people and her willingness to serve them in the most difficult circumstances. Along with her husband, Rolland, she founded Iris Global, a ministry that focuses on bringing the love of Jesus to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. Heidi's experiences ministering in Mozambique have been documented in several books, including the aforementioned "Compelled by Love," "Birthing the Miraculous," and "Reckless Devotion." In these books, she describes numerous instances where she and her team saw the power of God at work in the lives of the people they were ministering to. These included healings, miracles, and deliverances from demons. Through her ministry, Heidi has shown that the love and power of God are available to all who call on the name of Jesus, regardless of their circumstances.

John Wimber (25 February 1934 - 17 November 1997) John Wimber was a pastor and founder of the Vineyard movement. In his book, "Power Evangelism," he describes several instances where he prayed for people who were demon-possessed and saw them set free. In one instance, a man who was possessed by a demon began to manifest during a church service. John commanded the demons to leave the man in the name of Jesus, and the man was set free. John Wimber's ministry was characterized by his emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit and his belief in the continuing presence of spiritual gifts in the church today. He saw numerous people come to faith in Christ and experience healing, deliverance, and other miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. John Wimber passed away on November 17, 1997, but his legacy continues through the Vineyard movement, which has grown to include hundreds of churches around the world.

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