Main Summary: The Believers Authority by Kenneth Hagin explores the power and significance of spiritual authority for believers. Drawing from Paul’s prayers for spiritual understanding and the concept of authority in Scripture, the author reveals that believers possess the authority to overcome the enemy. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s position in Christ and being seated with Him in heavenly places. The book also delves into warring against spiritual forces, exercising authority, adorning oneself with spiritual armor, and understanding the jurisdiction of that authority. To the end, you may embrace your spiritual authority and live he victorious life in Christ.
Lessons You’ll Learn From This Post
1. Paul’s Prayers For Spiritual Understanding
2. The Concept of Authority
3. You Are Seated With Christ
4. Warring With Your Spiritual Authority
5. Exercising Your Spiritual Authority
6. Adoring Yourself With Your Spiritual Armor
7. The Jurisdiction of Your Authority
Paul’s Prayers For Spiritual Understanding
According to the author, these prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit, hold timeless relevance for believers today. The author encourages you to delve into the first three chapters of Ephesians repeatedly, immersing yourself in the Spirit-anointed prayers found there.
To personally engage with these prayers, the author suggests replacing “you” with “me” to personalize the experience. He recounts how he spent a considerable amount of time praying these prayers, focusing on the verses and praying multiple times a day. Through this dedicated practice, the author experienced transformative spiritual growth and gained a deeper understanding of the Bible.
The author highlights the importance of the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” mentioned in Ephesians 1:17, as it unlocks a greater comprehension of God’s Word and facilitates spiritual growth. He emphasizes that this wisdom and revelation cannot be attained through human intellect alone; it is the Holy Spirit who reveals it to us as believers. The author further emphasizes the power of these prayers by sharing how he saw remarkable results when praying them for his family members, witnessing a change in their understanding and spiritual growth.
It is when this understanding is opened up that we can begin to truly comprehend the authority of the believer, which is rooted in Christ’s victory over the enemy. According to the author, every child of God possesses this authority, and it is not limited to a select few. However, the devil seeks to keep believers ignorant of their authority, as their knowledge and exercise of this authority will undermine his influence.
The author, therefore, encourages you to share this knowledge with others and to pray those prayers for fellow Christians, confident that it will produce transformative results. He emphasizes the necessity of knowing and acting upon the truth to see tangible outcomes in your life. Quoting Jesus’ words in John 8:32, the author highlights the liberating power of truth and the destructive consequences of lacking knowledge.
Also Read Power and Authority To Destroy The Works Of The Devil by Guillermo Maldonado [Summary]
The Concept of Authority
According to the author, authority is often misunderstood in the scriptures. He says, the Greek words for “power” and “authority” were not consistently translated in the King James Version of the Bible. Jesus’ words in Luke 10:19, for instance, were translated as “power” twice, but the original Greek used different words for “authority” and “power.” The author quotes Jesus as saying, “I have given you AUTHORITY to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the POWER of the enemy.”
The author emphasizes that the Church today has the same authority as it did in the first century, and this authority is backed by the power of God. He asserts that believers need to understand and exercise their authority over the devil and his forces. The author quotes Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 6:10 to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, encouraging that you boldly confront the enemy using your delegated authority.
To illustrate the concept of authority, the author gives an example of policemen directing traffic. Despite lacking the physical power to stop vehicles, they can raise their hands and exercise the authority granted to them by the government. Similarly, as a believer you have been vested with authority by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The author notes that the church of Christ has been bestowed his authority on the earth obtained through his victory over hell. He encourages you to exercise that authority and reign in this life. He quotes 1 John 4:4, declaring that the power within you is greater than the power in the world because it is backed by the greater power that supports your authority.
You Are Seated With Christ
On this subject, the author sheds more light on the concept of authority within the Church. Drawing from Matthew 28:18, the author contends that the term “authority” should replace “power” in the scripture, emphasizing that Jesus transferred His authority to the Church upon His ascension. As a believer, this now means that you are an integral part of Christ’s Body, with Him as the Head. Therefore, the perpetuation of Christ’s authority rests upon you, His Body, which exists on Earth.
To emphasize the significance of this authority, the author quotes Ephesians 1:18-23. These verses illuminate the exceptional power demonstrated in Christ’s resurrection, an unparalleled display of God’s might. Through His triumph over Satan and the spiritual forces opposing Him, Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father, holding authority over all realms and dominions. This position of authority is not exclusive to Christ alone but extends to the Church as His Body.
The source of your authority lies in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ by God, as stated in Ephesians 1:18. The author emphasizes that many Christians overlook the authority they possess, failing to recognize its existence. However, a mere intellectual understanding is insufficient to grasp this authority fully; it requires a spiritual revelation and unwavering faith.
Continuing the discourse, the author brings attention to Ephesians 2:1-7, where the Holy Spirit through Paul emphasizes the believers’ shared experience with Christ. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers were also raised with Him, spiritually united in His resurrection. Consequently, you are seated together with Christ in heavenly places, a position of authority.
By highlighting 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27, the author reiterates the concept of believers constituting the Body of Christ. As members of His Body, you partake in His authority. The author affirms that the revelation of being the Body of Christ will revolutionize your life and empower you to carry out His works on Earth.
Furthermore, the author draws attention to the need to move beyond a “cross” religion and embrace a “throne” religion. While the cross signifies death and defeat, the Resurrection represents triumph and victory. You are called to exercise your authority and take your place alongside Christ, seated at the right hand of God.
The author also reminds you of the responsibility to maintain balance and avoid extremism. He says, exercising authority must be grounded in wisdom and understanding, steering clear of fanaticism. By aligning your understanding with the Word of God, you can walk in the authority of the believer, manifesting the works Jesus did and even greater works.
Warring With Your Spiritual Authority
The author emphasizes the spiritual battle believers face, stating, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.” He reminds us that Jesus has already defeated these evil spirits and we can reign over them. He asserts, “Jesus defeated them, spoiled them, put them to naught.” It is crucial to approach your encounters with demons with the knowledge that they have been dethroned by Christ.
The author explains that originally, God gave Adam dominion over the earth, but Adam committed treason by selling out to Satan. Satan, through Adam, became the god of this world. However, through Christ, believers have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. He emphasizes that Satan has no right to rule or dominate believers anymore, but the average Christian often has more faith in Satan’s authority and power than in God’s.
The author highlights the authority believers have as members of the Body of Christ. He state, “We are the Body of Christ… We have authority over [Satan]!” Quoting Jesus, he proclaims, “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.” Believers possess authority over all the power of the enemy and should not underestimate their position.
The author challenges the misconception that believers will exercise their spiritual authority only in the future Millennium. He asserts that authority is meant to be exercised now when there are things that can harm and destroy. He state, “It’s now when there is something that will hurt and destroy, that we have authority.” You should not believe that Satan is running everything, but rather recognize that you can dominate him.
The author encourages believers to demand their rights and privileges in prayer. He emphasizes the power of using the Name of Jesus and demanding that Satan relinquish his hold. Quoting Jesus’ words, he explains, “Whatever you demand as your rights and privileges….” You must understand your rights and confidently exercise their authority.
The author stresses the role of faith in exercising spiritual authority. While some manifestations may not occur immediately, you should not be discouraged or slip back into unbelief. You should stand your ground and be moved only by what you believe, not by what you see or feel. The author urges you to rise against the devil, sharing personal experiences where faith and authority produced tangible results.
Also Read The Art of Intercession by Kenneth Hagin [Summary]
Exercising Your Spiritual Authority
The author under this subject, emphasizes two key phrases from Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians: “…and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” and “…hath raised us up together.” He once again, encourages that you meditate on these prayers, internalize their truths, and pray them for yourself. He emphasizes that these prayers are not merely mental acceptance but require a revelation in your spirit.
The author highlights the significance of being seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father, far above all powers and principalities. He also explains that as members of the Body of Christ, you have the authority to carry out His work on Earth and help conquer the devil. The author refutes the notion that Christ can do His work without believers, emphasizing the inseparable relationship between Christ as the Head and believers as the Body.
The author affirms that as a believer you have been delivered from the authority of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s Son. He asserts that you have the right to exercise authority over darkness and command Satan and his kingdom. The author clarifies that as a believer you have authority primarily over your life and immediate circles, and you should focus on exercising authority in these areas.
Adoring Yourself With Your Spiritual Armor
Exercising spiritual authority is your birthright in Christ, but learning to clothe yourself with the spiritual armor is very vital to your victory. The author notes that as a believer, you must continually clothe yourself with the spiritual armor of God. He emphasizes the importance of this in Ephesians 6:10-11. Stating that by putting on this armor and engaging in spiritual warfare, you distinguish yourself as a follower of Christ.
The author clarifies that spiritual warfare does not involve intentionally seeking out direct confrontations with Satan through prayer combat. Rather, it entails living out the works of Jesus and exercising authority over the devil in your daily life. However, the devil will fiercely oppose your understanding and use of this authority, he says. And will also try to undermine your confidence to steal your grasp of it.
In the face of such opposition, the author staunchly affirms his belief in the power of God’s Word and the authority bestowed upon believers. He says, “I’d rather die than say God’s Word doesn’t work. If it doesn’t work, it’s because I don’t work it.” Failure may occur, but God’s Word never fails, and the authority it grants remains steadfast.
The enemy will resist your interference in his domain, the author says; because you exercise authority over the powers of the air, challenging his rule. He affirms that when you assert your spiritual authority, the devil will launch attacks to make you retreat. If you successfully repel his assaults in one area, he will come against you in another. These battles are inevitable, given your position as an enemy of the devil and your awareness of your authority in Christ.
However, the author recommends that to remain undefeated, you must put on the spiritual armor provided by God. He states, “If believers take advantage of the spiritual armor provided for them, the enemy cannot defeat them.” The armor consists of different components symbolizing spiritual truths and serves to protect and enable the believer’s ministry of authority.
By understanding and embracing the various pieces of spiritual armor, you are equipped for battle. The author expounds on the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shod feet of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
These components represent vital aspects of your readiness and resilience against the enemy. According to the author, It is through this armor that you assert your authority and stand firm in your faith. As he says, “Dressed in the armor of God, you are prepared to withstand every attack of the enemy.”
Also Read Training for Reigning by Rick Godwin [Summary]
The Jurisdiction of Your Authority
Although believers according to the author, have authority over demon spirits, they do not have authority over their fellow human beings or their wills. The author warns against the misconception that believers can control others in the same way they can control demons.
The author emphasizes that people have free will, and if they choose to remain under the influence of demonic spirits, neither Jesus nor anyone else can set them free. He stresses that exercising authority over demonic spirits requires not only spiritual authority but also the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through gifts such as the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits.
The author also addresses the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and not attempting to exercise authority in someone else’s life without the leading of the Spirit. He highlights that believers can exercise authority over the unseen forces of the enemy but not over other people’s wills.
Furthermore, the author discusses how people can lose their healing when they lack a strong foundation of faith. He explains that in large gatherings or when the gifts of the Spirit are in operation, it is easier for you to receive healing. However, without a solid foundation of faith and knowledge of God’s Word, the devil can bring back the same symptoms and deceive you into thinking you were not healed in the first place.
In conclusion, the book explores the timeless relevance of Paul’s prayers for spiritual understanding and the concept of authority in the lives of believers. In it, the author emphasizes that every believer possesses authority rooted in Christ’s victory and encourages the exercise of this authority to overcome the enemy. It highlights the believer’s position seated with Christ, the importance of spiritual warfare, the necessity of adorning oneself with spiritual armor, and the jurisdiction of authority over demonic spirits. Ultimately, the script empowers believers to walk in their spiritual authority, knowing the power and truth that accompanies it.
Finally, here is a question we’ll love you to answer.
How does understanding your authority in Christ influence your perspective on spiritual warfare and the challenges you face in life?
We would love to hear from you, please leave your answer and comment in the comment box below.
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