“Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” – Matthew 28:18
Bible Verses About Our Authority
Understanding Our Authority in Christ
As followers of Christ, we hold a special authority that comes from our relationship with Him. This authority is not derived from our own strength or merit but is a gift bestowed upon us by God. Through faith in Jesus, we become heirs of His kingdom, allowing us to walk confidently in the authority granted to us. Recognizing that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can approach life’s challenges with assurance, knowing that we can accomplish what God has called us to do. Our authority lies in our belief and connection with Christ, enabling us to make an impact in the world around us.
Luke 10:19
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” – Luke 10:19
John 14:12
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
Ephesians 2:6
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Authority in Prayer
Our authority in Christ extends profoundly into the realm of prayer. As we come before the Lord in faith, we realize that our prayers hold power. When we call upon the name of Jesus, we’re invoking the authority of heaven to intervene in our circumstances. God desires to hear from us, and He invites us to present our requests boldly, knowing that He listens and is able to act according to His will. Therefore, let us approach prayer with confidence, embracing the authority we possess as His children.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Authority Over the Enemy
We need to remember that we are equipped with the authority over the enemy. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Armed with God’s word and the authority given to us through Christ, we can stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. By invoking the name of Jesus, we can cast out fear, doubt, and any forces that seek to lead us away from His purpose. Together, we can claim victory and stand firm knowing that we have the upper hand.
Ephesians 6:10-11
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:10-11
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Romans 16:20
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” – Romans 16:20
Colossians 2:15
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” – Colossians 2:15
Luke 9:1
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” – Luke 9:1
Living Under God’s Authority
By accepting God’s authority in our lives, we find security and direction. When we submit to His will, we are aligning ourselves with the ultimate plan for our lives. Living under His authority impacts our relationships, decisions, and actions, encouraging us to make choices that mirror His love and truth. As we yield to God’s guidance, we will be empowered to live out our purpose, fulfilling the good works He has prepared for us in advance. Let’s cherish this authority and live in a way that honors Him.
Romans 13:1
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” – Romans 13:1
Matthew 28:18-20
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…’” – Matthew 28:18-20
1 Peter 2:13-14
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him…” – 1 Peter 2:13-14
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
The Authority of Love
At the core of our authority lies love. Jesus showcased the ultimate example of authority through selfless love and sacrifice. In our journey, we are called not just to have authority, but to wield it with love, patience, and compassion. True authority is found in our ability to love others and to act in their best interests. Together, we can influence those around us positively by demonstrating the love of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Stewardship of Our Authority
With great authority comes great responsibility. How we steward the authority given to us is essential. We are called to manage and exercise our authority wisely, grounded in honesty and integrity. God expects us to utilize our gifts and abilities to serve others and to advance His kingdom. We should not take our authority for granted, but rather, we should cultivate it, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith and bring glory to God.
Matthew 25:14-15
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability.” – Matthew 25:14-15
Luke 12:48
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
Final Thoughts
It’s truly amazing to reflect on the authority that we hold as believers in Christ. We see that through Him, we can experience significant power over the enemy, influence the environment around us positively, and act in love toward one another. As we learn to exercise this authority wisely, we embody the principles of God’s love in our everyday lives, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion.
Embracing our authority is not about us but about glorifying God and sharing His love with others. Through prayer, obedience, and love, we can accomplish His will, reminding ourselves of the importance of walking closely with Him. As we take hold of our God-given authority, let’s encourage one another to live boldly and purposefully, grounded in faith and love.
If you want to learn more about the depth of authority in our lives, consider exploring topics about authority and power or authority over the enemy. There is always something new to discover in God’s Word.