Chapter Three

Authority of the Believer

Christ is freeing lives and restoring relationships with Him. Anyone in Christ who is willing to be free will be free. Jesus is still ministering to His people. I enjoy seeing the works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people. We don't need a deliverance ministry—we just need Jesus. His Presence in the streets and in the lives of the people will deliver them through His Blood. His Holiness and His Authority will bring His people freedom. As I minister to His people, I stand in amazement while I watch the Lord work. It seems when we lay hands on someone and pray for their deliverance, we clearly see it is the hand of Christ doing the work. Although we extend our hand and speak with authority in the word, we must remember who does the work and receives the Glory. I firmly believe we have authority as believers, but we must remember under whose authority we are.

Ephesians 4
8 "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."

If you were a traffic officer standing in an intersection, you would expect people to stop as you raise your hand in their direction. It is the authority that you would represent that stops the traffic. Although you are one person, you still have a police department to come to your rescue, and you are under their authority. You still must raise your hand and speak the word of authority for the traffic to stop. This is much like spiritual authority. When I pray for someone who is in bondage, I am aware that the authority of the Name of Jesus will cause them to be free. We can remember the Roman soldier that simply asked Christ to speak the Word.

Matthew 8
5 "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

It is the power of the spoken word and prayer that will set people free from bondages. Today, people have made deliverance complicated. It is the same faith I walk in that I command evil to flee from someone's life. However, we must ensure the person is willing and has a relationship in Christ. When the person is willing, we already know God is willing to deliver their life. The enemy cannot stay where he is not welcome. It is so important to immediately have a delivered person discipled for Christ. The Blood of Jesus always delivers. Expect it! While most of the Christians are waiting for Jesus to come back, let us remember that He came. Jesus came to this earth and paid the price for sin and has the keys that held our souls captive.

Revelations 1
18 "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Matthew 16
16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

We have the keys of authority to live a victorious life. We can declare war on the works of the devil. We can exercise our authority on this earth and demand that the enemy take his hands off our lives and the lives of those we minister to. Authority is a position and a responsibility. Let's continue the works of Christ and set lives free in His Name. The Apostle Peter was given the keys because of his awareness and knowledge of who Jesus is. The revealed knowledge of Christ is a powerful force, and that knowledge comes with authority and responsibility to help others. Let's use the keys and pray that God will loose the bondages in the lives of others, and walk in the delegated authority of Christ. It was with great authority that the apostles ministered to others.

2 Corinthians 10
4 "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

The delivering power of God is an incredible force in this world. There are so many waiting for salvation and deliverance. It is this simple to pray for people to be free. With an understanding of authority and a realization of who is doing the work, we will see lives changed. To God be all the Glory!

Joel 2
32 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."