Four Reasons Why You Have More Authority than the Enemy James 4:7
Do believers really have authority over the enemy? The New Testament clearly teaches that followers of Jesus have been given delegated authority to resist the devil, stand against spiritual opposition, and advance the Kingdom of God. In this episode of the Light on Life podcast, we explore four biblical reasons why believers have more authority than Satan. Looking at passages from James, Luke, Ephesians, and Mark, we discover how the authority of Jesus’ Name empowers believers to resist the devil, refuse him any place, tread on the works of darkness, and cast out demons.
This Week: Why do believers have authority over the enemy? In this episode we examine four New Testament reasons Christians can resist the devil, refuse him any place, and exercise authority in Jesus’ Name.
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You can view a basic transcript of this podcast at the bottom of this section.
Accept the Challenge
Each week's podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put into operation.This week's call is:
Rise up and use your God given authority. Go into all the world with the message of the Kingdom of God. Pray, lay your hands on the sick. Stop the enemy right in his tracks. Refuse to accept anything which is not of God in your life or the lives of your loved ones.
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Each week's podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony. Testimony is vital to a believer's life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11).This week's question is:
Have you come across any other reasons why we have authority over the enemy? Would you please share what you've learned in the comments section below?
About Emery
Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 35 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.
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Podcast Notes:
Four Reasons Why You Can Exercise Dominion Over Demons
Reason 1: Because You Can Resist the Devil
James 4:7 (NKJV) — 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
If the Bible says you can, then you can.
You remember from a previous lesson that we defined, for you, the word 'resist'.
We said it is a verb, implying that it's something you can do.
The word means to be or become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination.
Now, look at the word 'resist'.
That Greek word is also a verb and it means to oppose, to be against; express opposition to, to set oneself against. [1. William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 80.]
The scripture says here 'Resist the devil, oppose him, express your opposition to him, and he will flee from you'.
So, it's not a matter of weaponry, that is who has the biggest guns, the largest arsenal, or the most megatons.
No, getting devils to quit their maneuvers is a matter of deciding to take a stand, like the mighty men we talked about last week and then voicing your opposition.
That's all it takes.
Now, if it's possible to resist the works of darkness just by these measures, then you must have more power than he has.
That means if you oppose him, he can't just run over you.
That means if demons gang up on you it still wouldn't matter.
You still have more power than the enemy does.
Never doubt what you have in Him.
2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV) — 6 and said: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?Ecclesiastes 8:4 (NKJV) — 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
If your opposing Satan with intention, that also means something else.
It means you are not confused or waffling about the will of God in the area you are opposing him in.
Your crystal clear about God's will.
You know the area of attack is not God.
It's not God's intent.
It's not God trying to teach you something to make you more holy.
It's not some past sin which you committed that's coming back to haunt you.
No, all pasts sins are all under the Blood of Jesus.
God doesn't remember them and you shouldn't either.
When the attack comes you rise up and oppose it and you say 'No' in Jesus Name.
You say...
I oppose you.
I resist you.
I set myself in opposition against you.
I'm not taking this stuff from you.
Resisting the devil and him fleeing from you works one hundred times out of a hundred.
The word 'flee' is another eye-opening word.
It means to run or move away quickly, so as to escape.
One minister said he saw a definition which means to run from in stark terror.
Demons tremble at the Presence of the King.
James 2:19 (NKJV) — 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
Do you see the word 'tremble' in this verse?
Definition of the word 'tremble' in this context means to shudder or to tremble convulsively, as from fear.
Demons are so afraid of the King that they go into convulsions.
So, that's the first reason why you have more authority than Satan.
You can resist him.
Here's the second reason.
Reason 2: Because You Can Tread on Serpents
Luke 10:19 (NKJV) — 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
The word 'trample' or the word 'tread' in the King James means to place or press the foot on.
The word means to walk hard on.
You shall tread on serpents and scorpions.
The words 'serpents and scorpions' are types of devils, demons, and evil spirits.
In this case, since we are treading on Satan, we are crushing his head under our feet.
It's utter humiliation to be walked on.
Satan being on the wrong end of authority is a humiliating thing for one so proud as he.
Every time you use your authority you remind him of his defeat at Calvary.
Today, it's not just the King who exercises authority over Satan, it's the 'sons of the king.'
From the least child of God to the one who just was born again, you know two minutes old in Jesus, to the greatest most seasoned saint, all of them are humiliating the enemy.
Look at the vast scope of your authority as it is laid out in this verse; over all the power of the enemy.
The word 'power' here is again the word dunamis and in this context, it means the potential for functioning in some way, power, might, strength, force, or capability. [1. William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 262.]
So, what ever might, strength, force, or capability that Satan and his troops have, you have far greater authority.
You have the authority to put a stop to all might, strength, force, or capabilities of the enemy.
But, that's not all.
Jesus wants to be totally convinced and completely not intimidated by your adversary because He goes onto say and nothing shall hurt you
The word 'nothing' is meant to stand out to you in this context because Jesus used a triple negative in the Greek.
The way you read this is not, not nothing, and shall hurt you.
Jesus does not want you to be afraid to use what He gave you.
Use your authority in Christ.
Near be afraid of the works of the enemy.
So, if you can tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy to the extent that nothing, not not nothing can hurt you, then you must have more power than the enemy.
Now, here's the third reason you have more than the enemy does.
Reason 3: Because You Can Give Satan No Place
Ephesians 4:26–27 (NKJV) — 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
You have more power than the enemy because it's your choice about whether or not you give him a place.
If the enemy had more power than it would be his choice.
What does it mean to not give the devil any place?
The word 'place' comes from the Greek word 'topos'.
It's part of where we get the English word topography.
The definition of 'place' is an opportunity understood as if having the room or space to function or perform.
We could say it this way. Don't give the devil any ground.
This is just as much a commandment as 'be angry and do not sin or let the sun go down on your wrath.
It's wrong to be angry to the point where you sin.
It's equally wrong to cave into the enemy in any case.
I was watching a 'good guy' gets the 'bad guy' kind of show where an off-duty police officer was being charged with not using force to deal with an armed robber.
The point is, it's wrong to have the means and not do your Kingdom duty.
So don't give the enemy any place or any room in you.
Reason 4: Because You Can Cast Out Satan
Here's the fourth and final reason why you have more authority than the enemy.
Jesus said, 'In my Name, cast out devils.'
In my Name, exercise authority over the works of the enemy.
Mark 16:17-20 (NKJV) — 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
There are five signs that follow all Kingdom citizens.
You should expect it.
Demand it.
And, refuse to settle for anything less.
All of these are in the Name of the King and they are as follows:
In My name they will cast out demons;
In My name they will speak with new tongues;
In My name they will take up serpents;
The sign about taking up serpents is the one sign which has been inflated with stupidity the most but you see an example of this very thing in the New Testament.
It happened with Paul on the island of Melita.
Acts 28:3–6 (NKJV) — 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
In My name if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;
It is worthy of remark, that Muhammad, who styled himself the apostle of God, lost his life by poison; and, had he been a true prophet, or a true apostle of God, he would not have fallen into the snare. [2. Jerome H. Smith, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word (Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992), 1126.]
In My Name, they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
📖 Light Notes
If this teaching encouraged you, take a moment to read “How to Conquer Prejudice the Jesus Way.” This Light Notes article explores how the example and teachings of Jesus confront prejudice and call believers to walk in truth, humility, and love.
Read the Article →