FOOD FOR TEENS: POWER & AUTHORITY

The words power and authority interchange but they are actually different and have different meanings. As believers, understanding these two concepts in the context of God's Word will help us go far in life. Luke 9:1 says, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” Jesus gave to his disciples power & authority, that's because one cannot function correctly without the other one. For power to work effectively it needs authority and vice versa

Authority

Authority is the legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.

A police man, is a man of authority, his position as a police officer places him in a position of authority, he has the right to enforce the laws of the land. When you see him in his full attire, you acknowledge that he's a man of authority. Without authority anyone who uses power, use it illegally and must be prosecuted under the law. Even so Jesus has given us authority over all devils and to cure all diseases, but not all devils submit to authority except the weak ones, if they all submitted to authority they won't be called devils and demons, they are rebellious in nature and are bound to resist authority which is why James told us to resist the devil and he will flee; you only resist someone who's resisting you. Acts 19:12-16 tells us how some men tried to cast out a devil but because they had no authority, they were greatly dealt with. They were natural men and didn't have the authority that believers have in Christ Jesus. So for anyone who needs to walk in this authority, he or she must first be born again, must receive the life of Christ and then receive the authority which Christ has given us. As Jesus is, so are we, as He has conquered hell and death, so have we, now we have a legal right and authority to deal with issues just like that police officer has a right to enforce the law. Every believer has authority but how come all believers do not execute judgment and dominion over all negative forces in their environment?

Power

Authority without power is like a police officer neatly decked in his full uniform but without a gun or any form of ammunition. He will get result in handling some situations especially with weak oppositions and law abiding citizens but he will never stand a chance with the rebels and hardened criminals in society. This is why it was not enough for Jesus to give us His authority but also His power. Power can simply be defined as the capability of producing an effect, whether physical or spiritual. Without power, it is impossible to create change, even if you have the authority, criminal forces do not fear law enforcement agents just because of their authority alone but most especially because of the power they wield to create damage. This is why no country can really be independent without his own indigenous armed forces.

Severally when Jesus would come close to people who were possessed with devils, the devil in them will cry out, asking why He has come to torment them before their time, that tells you that these devils did not leave because of respect for Jesus but because of the power at work in Him and through Him. They knew what resisting His authority would cost them, because He (Jesus) was always full of power, power that torments evil forces. Matthew 8:29 says, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” They felt something, they knew that the power of God exerted on them would always cause torment which is why they were always quick to leave a person when Jesus commanded them to leave.

This power has be given us by Jesus Christ as believers, this was the same power that marveled the sorcerer that he offered money for it(Acts 8:17-20). All power has been given unto Jesus, there's no power that comes close to the power of God in a believer through the Holy Ghost, but let him stir up this gift in him by praying in the Holy Ghost regularly and filling himself with the word of Christ regularly. With these, you can win everyday and put the enemy to flight always.

God bless you, see you next month.