The Christian Authority
Satan was given power on Earth when Adam and Eve sinned. Satan is called the “god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4. In Luke 4 we are told that Jesus was taken into the wilderness to be TEMPTED by the devil. (Luke 4:1-2) This doesn’t mean Jesus sinned, it means He was given the opportunity to sin, but he resisted. During this temptation Satan wanted Jesus to worship him in exchange for the power over the kingdoms of the Earth. Luke 4:6 says, “And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is DELIVERED UNTO ME; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Many people have said that Satan lied and couldn’t have given the power of the nations to Jesus. If Satan was lying then Jesus would have known it and there would not have been anything to be tempted over. Who delivered the nations to Satan? Did God? No, mankind did. Jesus Christ will take complete control of Earth someday, but until then Satan does have power here on Earth. However, Satan does not have authority over a Christian who knows who they are in Christ.
Whether or not Satan can destroy your life depends on what kingdom you are participating in. Colossians 1:13 says that God has taken the BELIEVER out of the authority of Satan’s kingdom and put them in God’s Kingdom of His Son. The Kingdom of God on Earth is made up of all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. The believer has been given the authority to exercise God’s principles on Earth and rule over darkness and evil temptation. Luke 10:19 says, (Jesus speaking) “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.” The Lord has granted us authority over any work of the devil. Will I automatically be safe from the attacks of the devil because I am a Christian? No, you have to use your authority. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he MAY devour.” The word MAY means “if you give him permission.” If you are a Christian and you are not putting away sin in your life by obeying the Word of God, then you will allow Satan to devour you because you will be participating in his kingdom. Participate in God’s kingdom by arming yourself with what the Bible says and then act on it. Then you will not “give place to the devil”. (Ephesians 4:27)
Authority doesn’t work until you decide to use it. An off duty police officer who is out of uniform cannot stop anybody until he reveals his badge of authority. In the same way our authority over Satan will not work until we command him to halt his activity in our lives.
Pastor Tim
Family Church Jamestown is a non-denominational church located in Chautauqua County in Jamestown between Lakewood and Busti, NY. The senior pastor of Family Church is Pastor Tim Stahlman a native to the Jamestown, NY area.
