In Luke 9:1-2, Jesus granted His disciples power and authority over demons and disease, sending them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. This divine empowerment is not limited to the disciples of Jesus’ time but extends to all believers today. The concept of authority over sickness and demons is central to understanding God’s will for healing in our lives.
Jesus, as a human being, did not perform miracles as God but operated with the same authority given to His followers. He emptied Himself of His divine power and became fully human, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in His ministry. This is affirmed in Philippians 2:6-8, where Jesus humbly set aside His glory to work through the Spirit. He did not begin His miracles until the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, marking the start of His public ministry. Thus, the miracles He performed were done through the anointing of the Spirit, not by His inherent divine nature.
The understanding that Jesus performed miracles as a man
In John 14:12, Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will do the works He did, and even greater works. If Jesus had done miracles solely as God, it would be impossible for ordinary believers to replicate them. However, because Jesus operated in His humanity, empowered by the Spirit, He has made it possible for us to walk in the same authority and power. Through His example, Jesus showed that believers can exercise the same authority over sickness, disease, and demonic forces.
Many people in the church have placed Jesus’ ministry on a pedestal, viewing it as unattainable for ordinary believers. While Jesus is unique in His role as the Savior, His works on earth serve as an example of how we, too, can walk in power and authority. Jesus came to demonstrate how believers can overcome sickness and evil by operating under the same authority He received from the Father. The enemy has long sought to rob believers of this understanding, leading many to doubt their ability to walk in the same authority.
In John 14:10, Jesus affirms that the works He performed were not done by His own will but by the Father working through Him. He emphasizes that those who believe in Him will also do these works. For generations, the church has struggled with this idea, often underestimating the power and authority available to believers. Many Christians still believe they are incapable of performing miracles or healing the sick, thinking that Jesus’ works were solely for Him. However, this is contrary to what Jesus taught. He called us to continue His work, and He has empowered us to do so through the Holy Spirit.
Believers are called to walk in authority, to speak to sickness and demons with the same confidence Jesus demonstrated. Understanding this authority is essential to experiencing healing and deliverance. The Bible does not suggest that demons or disease should dominate the believer. Instead, Jesus has given us the authority to overcome these forces, as evidenced by His empowerment of the twelve disciples and the seventy others He sent out.
The key to walking in authority over demons and disease
Is understanding the difference between power and authority. Power refers to the ability to act or exert influence, while authority is the legal right or permission to do so. Jesus gave His disciples both power and authority, enabling them to cast out demons and heal diseases. In Matthew 10:1, it is clear that the authority given to Jesus’ followers is to be exercised over all forms of sickness and evil.
The Greek word for power used in this context, exousia, specifically refers to authority rather than raw power, such as the explosive force associated with dunamis (from which we get the word “dynamite”). While the Holy Spirit provides the power, believers are given the authority to wield that power in Jesus’ name. Just as a soldier may possess the strength to wield a weapon, it is the officer with authority who has the right to command its use. In the same way, Christians have both the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority granted by Jesus to overcome sickness and demonic oppression.
When we embrace this authority, we move beyond merely acknowledging our power and begin to walk in the authority Jesus gave us. The authority over demons and disease is not about bravado or self-reliance but about recognizing the God-given right to enforce His will on earth. For example, a believer doesn’t need to fear disease or demonic attacks. Instead, they should declare God’s truth and command healing and deliverance in the name of Jesus.
This understanding has practical implications for the believer. The Bible makes it clear that we are not to accept sickness or demonic oppression as part of God’s plan. Just as Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick, believers today are called to do the same. The apostle Paul demonstrated this in his ministry, and the Book of Acts recounts how the early church continued the work of healing and deliverance through the power of the Holy Spirit. The same power and authority are available to believers today.
There is a tendency in the church to dismiss the power of healing and deliverance as something reserved for the early church or for a select few. However, the truth is that the Book of Acts is still being written, and the church today continues the work of the Spirit. It is essential to recognize that as believers, we are empowered to take authority over demons and disease. This authority is not just for the apostles or pastors but for every believer who believes in the name of Jesus.
The key to walking in authority is speaking God’s Word with confidence and understanding the rights we have as His children. When faced with illness or demonic oppression, believers are called to stand firm, knowing that they have been given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons. This authority is not limited by time or circumstance; it is as relevant today as it was during Jesus’ ministry on earth.
In conclusion, Jesus has given believers authority over demons and disease. By walking in this authority, we can experience God’s healing power and see deliverance in our lives and the lives of others. It is God’s will for all believers to walk in this power, and it is through understanding and exercising this authority that we can live victorious, empowered lives in Christ.
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A Surprise Healing: Read this encouraging account written by Lorna that describes a surprise healing, when she prayed for someone.
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