No one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. (Mark 3:27)
Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of Satan. (1 John 3:8), to establish God’s kingdom and to free us, all the humankind, from Satan’s power. (Luke 4:18, Acts 26:18) One main theme in Marks gospel is Jesus constant aim to defeat Satan and his demonic powers.
In Mark 3:27, Jesus put into action the principle behind this spiritual conflict with Satan and his powers in his use of phrases like “tying up the strong man” (i.e., setting free those who are slaves to Satan or “possessed” by demonic powers and reclaiming their lives for God’s kingdom).
Jesus overcomes the enemy by driving out the demons. {Greek word daimonion} or the evil spirit. “Driving out” or “casting out” means that Jesus is exercising his authority to force demonic powers to give up control of people whose lives and bodies have been in Satan’s control.
SATAN AND DEMONS
Satan {Hebrew meaning “accuser” or “adversary”} was once a great angel created perfect and good. He was appointed to serve directly around God’s throne in heaven. Yet before the world began, he became filled with pride and rebelled against God. As a result, he became God’s primary enemy to all humanity as well (Ezekiel 28:12-15). We must, however, keep in mind that Satan is not equal with God; he is a created being and his power yield to the superior power of God.
God is omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing). But Satan has none of these Characteristics; therefore, most of his activity is assigned to demons. (Rev. 16:13-14, Job 1:12)
In his rebellion against God, Satan misled a multitude of lesser angels (Rev. 12:4 and 7) who after their “fall” from heaven, could likely be identified as demons or evil spirits. Satan and many of these lesser angels were exiled to the earth and the atmosphere around it. This is where they do their evil work, as God allows. Because of this constant presence of evil and its influence, all of mankind must choose whether to follow God or follow evil.
THE AUTHORITY JESUS HAS GIVEN US OVER SATAN AND DEMONS
- We must know what authority is.
- We must know that it belongs to us.
- We must know how to use it.
WHAT AUTHORITY IS
In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you (NLT). Does the church today need less authority than the early church? I would say we need it even more!
This authority Jesus gave us means we are backed by all the power of heaven, using His Name. It’s not brute strength, like trying to stop a semi-truck by pushing against it, and it’s not your strength. It’s like a police officer (backed by the authority of the city) holding his hand up to the semi-truck driver and saying, “Stop in the name of the mayor.” You can step out in front of the devil, hold up your hand, and say, “Stop in the Name of Jesus!”
IT BELONGS TO YOU
Remember that in Luke 10:19 Jesus said He gave this authority to you. He got it from God the Father (Matthew 28:18). Right now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and we are seated there with Him (Acts 5:32, Ephesians 2:6). He is the Head; we are His Body (Colossians 1:18). What’s His is ours, and His authority is perpetuated through His Body.
So, we are seated with Christ, in a place of spiritual authority. And we are to rule and reign in this life! Too many times we pray “Lord, do this, do that” when He’s given the authority to us! God has already delivered us from the authority of darkness (Mark 16:15-18, Colossians 1:13) so we have a right to speak to the darkness (Satan, demons) and tell them what to do.
HOW TO USE IT
For this authority to work in your life, you must believe it. You must believe what God has said in His Word about you. Believing (faith) comes by the Word.
The door to exercising your authority in Christ hinges on Ephesians 1:20 and Ephesians 2:6. I encourage you to meditate on those verses until you have the revelation that you are seated with Jesus at the right hand of God, and you have His authority. You are the one on earth that He moves through.
James 4:7 says “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Instead of crying, “The devils after me!” or rolling over when you’re attacked, resist him! Push back with your faith, using your authority in Jesus’ name. Speak to the mountain in your life – stop letting it speak to you (Mark 11:23).
Matthew 18:18 says that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven. We do the binding. Heaven will refuse to allow what we allow. “Satan, I bind you off my body….my family….my finances…my nation. I loose the power of God in those situations (using the scripture that applies). In Jesus’ Name!” (John 14:13-14)
Too many times we’ve allowed Satan’s agenda to run rampant instead of using our authority. Yes, Satan is God of this world (1 Corinthians 4:4) but we have authority over him – we must take it!
Remember, God’s plan is for you to rule and reign over circumstances, poverty, sickness, everything else that would hinder us (Romans 5:17). You reign because you have the authority in the Name of Jesus. You’re not a victim, a beggar, or pathetic – you are the Body of Christ – seated with Him at the right hand of God!
TAKE ACTION
I challenge you today to use your authority over the enemy. Do it over your own life and family, taking authority over sickness, lack, fear, confusion, thoughts, or demonic influences. Then focus outward – take authority over the powers and principalities that are trying to divide and destroy our neighbourhoods, our cities, states, and nation. Come against the spirit of anarchy, terrorism, lying and murder, using the Name of Jesus.
