Authority has great appeal, both in the natural and supernatural world. Most people want to be "in charge" so that they can run things their own way. That's very understandable.
My younger daughter just bought her first house and probably the most delightful thing to her after being handed her key was having the rooms painted any colors she wanted. She was tired of the standard white and beige walls in apartments. Since the house is now under her authority, there is beautiful color in every room.
When we have authority, hopefully we use it to the fullest – to accomplish the very most, according to our purpose. If we have authority over a Fortune 500 company, we want to drive profits to the highest level possible. We want to improve efficiency toward higher productivity and expand our markets for the widest audience.
In the spiritual realm we have a much higher purpose than anything in the earthly realm. Even political or governing power doesn't light a candle compared to the spiritual authority operating in God's kingdom and for his purposes. Using spiritual authority to advance the kingdom of God has eternal significance – what can match that?
We talked in Part I about getting our own "authority level" house in order before trying to use it. You may want to read Big Guns – Spiritual Authority if you have not yet done so. Now we are ready to move on and actually use the authority we have been given by God.
The bottom line in exercising spiritual authority is ENFORCING TRUTH. We know that mankind came under a curse with the sin of Adam and Eve and that their sin affected everything; "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." (Romans 8:22) We also know that Jesus came to reverse the curse and that he made payment in full for all sin — the work of Calvary is a finished work.
Why then, do we still see sin and results of sin? Why do we still see sickness, disease, and demon activity everywhere we look? Why do we see natural disasters, famines and the like? One of the reasons is that we don't exercise ALL the authority God allots us to bring "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) In other words, what has been established in heaven (where God's will is always done) needs to be enforced on the earth. We are the enforcers.
Just as the Israelites had to fight to possess the land of Canaan even though God had given them possession of it, we have to fight to possess our territory too. Satan will not give up easily but he will give up when we use our rightful, lawful authority and press him to submit to the truth. So, how do we enforce God's will and God's truth?
God's Word is the FINAL WORD in the spiritual realm just as the Supreme Court has the final say in the U.S. judicial system. Lower courts may rule and be reversed up until the Supreme Court rules. Once the ruling is made, all courts beneath it must legally come into alignment with the decision.
It may take time to filter down to systems underneath it with lesser authority but eventually the impact is felt throughout society. Enforcing God's Word may also take time but when we are convinced of the truth of it, we too will see results.
Suppose you owned a house and someone gained entry to it and changed the locks and set up their own household while you were away. Now you arrived home and can't get into your own house. But whether someone did that or not, you still know that the truth is that the house is legally yours.
I bet you would press your case! Call the police, get an attorney, and pull out your deed and other proofs. You would win the case, even if it took awhile. You wouldn't stop until you were back inside your own home and the interlopers were evicted.
What truth are you willing to enforce right now in your own life? What interloper has robbed you of what God has said is rightfully yours? If something in God's Word belongs to you then you have authority for it. If you have authority, exercise it. SAY the word. Press your case.
How far can we press the cause of Christ in our generation if we understand our spiritual authority and use it to the very fullest extent? LET'S FIND OUT!