The Authority of the Believer: Standing in Our Healing
I. THE NECESSITY OF STANDING
A. Each believer must be taught to receive healing and freedom and then to keep in it by personally standing on the Word. Speaking
the Word of God is our weapon and protection against demons. The shield of faith is the consistent confident declaration of the Word
against the enemy’s attack.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 We do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers…in the heavenly places. 13 Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand…having girded your waist with truth…16 taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one…17 Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… (Eph. 6:
11-17)
B. We must stand for all the ground we take from the enemy. He will come to take it back by lies. Once a person is delivered, they must
learn to stand against the devil for themselves.
C. Demons continually attack those who have been set free. They return over and over seeking to allure people to return to their
former lifestyle. They bring more demons with them (v. 44).
43 When an unclean spirit goes out of a man…44 Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' …45 He takes with him seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. (Mt. 12:43-45)
D. Our problems are often the result of several factors working together including psychological issues (our mindset, belief systems,
and life choices), physiological issues (diet, alcohol, chemical, etc.), sociological issues (what others do to us), and spiritual (demonic
attack).
E. By using our authority, we can remove the added pressure that demons bring to our problems. This makes it much easier to solve
physiological, psychological, and sociological problems. Exercising authority against Satan’s attack does not automatically cancel all the
consequences of our wrong choices or all the effects of what others do to us, as they exercise their free will.
F. Principle of the kingdom: The demonstration of the Spirit follows a declaration of a believer. The Spirit moves as the Word is
spoken. We resist oppression by rebuking it in Jesus’ name.
G. The primary way Satan tries to gain access to people is through their mind and body. The degree to which one yields to Satan in
these areas determines how much Satan is able to influence him.
H. Each person has three parts: We are a spirit, we have a soul and live in a body. Demons can influence or oppress a Christian’s
body and soul (mind and emotions) without possessing their spirit. There are degrees of oppression. A bad mood or emotional funk can be
the direct result of flaming missiles of demonic oppression.
II. OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY IS BASED ON JESUS’ VICTORY
A. Our spiritual authority is based on our union with Jesus. The power and benefits that Jesus received as an “exalted Man” are given
us. God gave Jesus to the Church (v. 22) as our head (v. 22) and who we are as His body or vehicle to express His power to the earth (v.
23).
19 The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…20 which He [the Father] worked in Christ when He raised Him…and
seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places… 22 He put all things under His [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things
to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him… (Eph. 1:19-23)
B. We have been raised to sit with Jesus in heavenly places, thus are given access to God’s throne. Our prayers in God’s will reach
His throne and find approval resulting in the release of power. We must know who we are in Christ and the authority we possess in Jesus.
We must take our place of authority in Christ as those seated in heavenly places with Jesus (Eph. 1:3, 20-22; 2:6).
6 Raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ... (Eph. 2:6)
C. At the cross, Jesus as a Man defeated Satan and all demonic principalities and made a public spectacle of them before the
audience of heaven, hell, and earth. This victory is finished.
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [His death and resurrection].
(Col. 2:15)
D. Authority is delegated power. An example that is commonly used is that of a police officer who stops a car by the authority of the
government, not his own physical power. We use spiritual authority against Satan who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy God’s blessing in our
life (by fear, addictions, emotional oppression, division, sickness, financial oppression, etc.).
10 The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have
it more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10)
E. We are called to enforce Jesus’ authority on earth as His body. Satan’s attack against us will continue if we accept it, instead of
refusing it or challenging it with our authority in Christ.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)
F. Fear, rejection, and addictive urges are a form of demonic oppression that must be rebuked. If they are allowed to gain dominance
in our thinking, they will dominate our life with despair. We must take authority over the spirit of fear. It must not be accepted or allowed to
grow.
7 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)
G. The command of faith doesn't always bring results instantly.
12 Do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Heb. 6:12)
H. Our authority is based on what Jesus accomplished, not on our moods, feelings, fervor or victory.
6 Not by [human] might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)