The Key to Authority

The Key of Authority: Understanding Your Power Over the Enemy

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life's challenges? Do you sometimes wonder if you have any real power against the negative forces that seem to work against you? The truth is, as believers, we possess something remarkable - a key of authority that represents our God-given power over the enemy.

What Does It Mean to Have Authority as a Believer?

We have authority in this life over the devil. Many Christians don't fully understand this truth, but Scripture makes it clear that we have been given authority not to allow the enemy to do the things he wants to do in our lives.

Interestingly, while polls show that 86-93% of Americans believe in God or a higher power, only 51% believe there is a devil. This disconnect creates a problem - how can we exercise authority over an enemy we don't acknowledge exists?

How Does the Enemy Attack Us?

The enemy attacks us in three primary areas:

1. Our soul (mind, will, and emotions)

2. Through the world system

3. Through our flesh

When the enemy comes against us, he targets our emotions, our will, and especially our mind. Have you been attacked in your mind this week? Your emotions? Your will? These are the battlegrounds where we must exercise our authority.

The Subtle Nature of the Enemy's Attacks

The world system wants to dictate what we do as Christians through books, movies, music, and media. Many of these attacks are subtle - you might not even realize they're happening. That's why it's crucial to stay focused on God's Word rather than natural circumstances.

When we focus on natural problems, we become worried, frustrated, aggravated, depressed, and fearful. This is exactly where the enemy wants our attention.

How Do We Renew Our Minds to Exercise Authority?

Ephesians 4:23 in the New Living Translation says, "Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." The Amplified version expands this: "Be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind, having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude."

Similarly, Romans 12:2 instructs us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes.

This renewal process is critical because our focus determines our victory. We don't focus on the world system or what the world says - we focus on God's unchanging Word. My opinion doesn't matter; God's truth does. His Word isn't an opinion - it's truth that can change our situation.

Understanding the Difference Between Power and Authority

There's an important distinction between power and authority. Think of it this way: I could give someone a key to the church to hold for me. They would have the power to enter the building (they physically possess the key), but they wouldn't have my authority to do so.

A door is meant to be a barrier, but if you possess the key, that barrier no longer hinders you. As Christians, we possess the key to the kingdom of God, which means we have authority over everything that would hinder us - including the enemy.

Examples of Delegated Authority

Authority is delegated power. God has given us His authority to walk in this earth and live the life He has chosen for us.

Consider a police officer directing traffic. All they need to do is raise their hand, and traffic stops. They don't physically stop vehicles with their strength - they use the authority delegated to them by the communities they serve.

Similarly, when we became born again and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we received this key of authority. The question is: what are we doing with it?

How Do We Push Through Resistance?

When we exercise our authority, we'll face resistance. Paul talks about fighting "the good fight of faith" because there is indeed a fight. The enemy will resist our efforts to walk in authority.

Think about pushing through a door - there's resistance, but you have to keep pushing until you break through. Are you going to allow the resistance of what you're facing to keep you where you are with an "old poor me attitude"? Or will you continue to press and push until you get to the other side where Jesus wants you to be?

Why Do We Need Community in This Fight?

We need each other to walk in our authority effectively. Our flesh will "act up" regardless of the devil's involvement, which is why we need brothers and sisters who will encourage, help, and strengthen us.

We need people who will pray with us, help us, encourage us, show us that we have authority to say no, and who will stand in agreement with us. The enemy wants us to keep our struggles to ourselves, but God designed us for community.

Life Application

Today is not the finish line - it's the starting point of your push against resistance. Here are some practical ways to apply what we've learned:

1. Recognize your authority: Acknowledge that through Christ, you have been given authority over the enemy. This isn't about your power but about the delegated authority from God.

2. Identify areas of resistance: Where is the enemy attacking your mind, will, or emotions? Name these areas specifically.

3. Use the Word as your weapon: Just as Jesus countered temptation with Scripture, arm yourself with God's Word to push back against the enemy's attacks.

Ask yourself:

• Am I fully utilizing the key of authority God has given me?

• Where have I been allowing the enemy to have influence in my life?

• What specific area do I need to push against with my God-given authority this week?

• Who can I connect with to help me stand firm in this authority?

Remember, you are not fighting for victory - you are fighting from a position of victory that Christ has already secured. The key of authority is already in your hand. Will you use it?