In this issue I'd like to look at the relationship held between the natural and the spiritual realms with regards to authority. When people are obedient to their masters the ability of their master increases to work in them. Through human allegiance and obedience to one or the other, God or Satan gains greater authority than otherwise to work in human affairs.
Psalm 8:3-5 3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
I believe the New Revised Standard is a little clearer with this verse.
NRS Psalm 8:5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
You must understand if humans have been created second in the universe, second to God, that they must be empowered with a great bit of authority and freedom.
The word authority is defined as such - The word authority means:
1. The right to command: the right or power to enforce rules or give orders. 2. Power given to somebody: power to act on behalf of somebody else, or official permission to do something.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The word dominion means to rule.
God gave Adam the authority over the creation according to Genesis 1:26. It was God's original intent for mankind to live in obedience to him as stewards over his creation. Man never realized that his disobedience to God would reassign his authority to the devil. Adam squandered the authority he was given through his disobedience.
ASV Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
God built into the universe certain authority rules for mankind. Ignorance of these rules neither negates their effects or power in our lives. The devil operates in secret for the most part. The success of his attack is dependent on the concealment of his actions.
Unless we understand the rules of authority Satan will clandestinely continue to deceive and wreak havoc in our lives. Let's look at some examples from the word of authority.
1. Among these rules is the authority of husbands over wives.
Genesis 3:16 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
2. Parents over children.
Ephesians 6:1 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
3. Pastors and leaders over their congregation.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
4. Masters over servants.
Ephesians 6:4-5 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
5. Government over people.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
6. Jesus over the church.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
The principle by which those with greater authority are to be governed is the principal of love and service.
Mark 10:42-44 42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
These authority rules are a mater of origination and not value. The one with greater authority does not have greater value then the one with lesser authority.
We already saw that authority could be lost or transferred. Through the work of Jesus Christ appropriated by faith, mankind can regain their lost God given authority over creation and evil spirits.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Luke 10:17-21 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, 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.
The first word translated power in verse 19 is the Greek word exousia which means authority. The second word which is also translated power is the Greek word dunamis meaning: strength, power, ability.
20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
When we walk in obedience to God we can walk with the same authority Jesus did.
We must always remember that the principle by which those with greater authority are to be governed is the principal of love and service. These authority rules are a matter of origination and not value. The one with greater authority does not have greater value than the one with lesser authority.
The greater the authority; the greater the servant. Jesus Christ poured out His life for mankind. If we are to walk in His steps we may take a lesson from the Master and serve the brethren in love and meekness.
God bless you!ÿ