Steph,
Carol mentioned a few passages and as she suggested, there are many more. A
Christian friend of mine who is in counseling and mostly works with demon
opressed people told me this story one day. He said that when the Lord was
first leading him into this ministry in his counseling, he didn't know much
and was sort of feeling his way along as the Lord taught him from the
Scriptures. One day, he was working with someone and a demon manifested
through this person. He attempted to take authority over it but the demon
said, through this person's voice, that is for disciples. You aren't one of
the 12 disciples. I asked my friend how he replied. He said he quoted, to
the demon, Mark 16:17-18 to prove he was, in fact, a disciple of Jesus.
Demons operate at different levels of authority or strength. This is based
upon the level of license they have been given to function in a person's
life. This can range any where from a low level where they cannot even
speak but can only put their feelings into a person's life, all the way up
to partial physical control. A Christian cannot, of course, be demon
possessed because their spirit has been recreated and the Holy Spirit of God
dwells within their spirit. The demonics operate, therefore in the soul
realm, or where the mind will and emotions are. Based upon the license they
have to function, or based upon the authority of the stronghold they have
created, they can effect the physical make up of a person, too. This is not
to say that they can force a Christian to do something against their will
but they can create a lot of misery for a person. What most Christians
don't know is just how much authority they do have over the demonic realm.
It is true that Satan was defeated and exposed at the cross according to
Colossians 2:15 and other passages. All Christians have the same degree of
authority give to them by Christ over demons. However, if a Christian does
not know their identity in Christ very well, demons are going to test your
authority. They love playing games and trying to screw things up. As I
said, if you don't know your identity and authority in Christ, they can get
the best of you in an argument every time. Below are some verses along
these lines. There are many more but this is a start.
AUTHORITY
CONFESSION:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have authority over all
the power of the enemy, to tread on serpents and scorpions, to
cast out unclean spirits, to heal all manner of sickness and
disease, and nothing shall by any means hurt me because I am His
disciple. I have the keys of the kingdom of Heaven and whatever
I bind on earth is bound in Heaven and whatever I loose on earth
is loosed in Heaven. No weapon formed against me shall prosper
and every tongue that rises against me in judgement I condemn.
This is my heritage as the servant of the Lord for my
righteousness is of Jehovah. I submit myself therefore to God
and resist the devil and he flees from me. Greater is He that is
in me than he that is in the world.
BIBLICAL CONFIRMATION
AUTHORITY:
Behold, 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.
Luke 10:19
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave
them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal
all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:1
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it
shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover.
Mark 16:17-18
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:19
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every
tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt
condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and
their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you.
James 4:7
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
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