Authority Over The Devil - Soul Choice Ministries

God gave me a vision of hell on November 23, 1998. I had eight questions in my mind during the vision, all of which God answered. I didn’t ask Him…He answered my thoughts. One of my questions was about the demons I witnessed. Some of the demons were enormous in size; 12 or 13 feet tall with tremendous strength. Others were much smaller. After Jesus appeared to me I had the thought, ‘Those demons are so powerful.’ He answered, “All you have to do is cast them out in my name.” Suddenly, they appeared to look like ants on the wall of the cavern. Even those that had appeared to be enormous, now appeared so small. I wondered why. I believe He was showing me that when we use the name of Jesus, demons are nothing, and no match for the name above all names. They are not to be feared, just as we would never fear an ant.

God gave the Church authority over demons, and knowing this will help you avoid many of life’s problems. Sadly, much of the Church doesn’t believe in this authority, or know when to use it. A Christian has the authority to cast out devils, and the devils must obey. One of the reasons Jesus came to the earth was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8, For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus gave the authority first to His 12 disciples.

Matthew 10:1, And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Luke 9:1, Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

He gave the authority to the seventy.

Luke 10:17-18, And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

The seventy Jesus sent forth returned and were amazed that they had authority over devils, to cast them out.

Then Jesus said to them in Luke 10:19, Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

He gave the authority to all those who believe.

Mark 16:17, These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.

Matthew 28:18, Jesus came and spake unto them saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore…” Jesus commissioned us to go and do the works he did.

John 14:12, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

Jesus told us that we could do whatever he did. That is a very enlightening and powerful statement. It is hard to comprehend that we can do the same works that Jesus did but it’s true! We do them as led by the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament prophesied of our authority over demons.

Psalm 91:13, You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

In the Old Testament people didn’t have that authority over the devil because Jesus hadn’t come to earth, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus took back the authority Adam forfeited to Satan, and has given it to believers. It has nothing to do with us, but only the power of His name. Even a brand new Christian has authority over the devil!

1 John 4:4,You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Demons are not to be feared by those who are walking with God. However, for an unbeliever, or ignorant Christian, the devil can afflict, steal, or even kill you. This doesn’t mean that a Spirit-filled Christian who is obeying God can’t get attacked. We are all learning, and we are all in a spiritual war. We all can get wounded. However, we can stop a lot of what the devil throws at us once we know our authority, and use it.

This story shows how dangerous it is for an unsaved person to try and cast out a devil.

In Acts 19:13-17 it reads, “A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.”

The point is that you don’t want to mess with demons if you don’t know Jesus personally. An ignorant believer will not command the devil to go and stop harassing their mind. They won’t know to bind him from attacking their body, or loose a person bound by Satan, like Jesus did with the woman bowed over.

Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.

Jesus quoted the Word to the devil, and the devil fled. We need to know what the Word says about a situation, and then declare the scripture to the devil.

James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Notice, we first have to be submitted to God. Then, we have to resist the devil. We resist him with the Word of God.

Ephesians 4:27, Neither give place to the devil.” We can give the devil place in our lives.

1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The devil cannot devour everyone. Don’t let one of those devoured be you.

In understanding our authority we will not fear demons.

2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

As a Christian, you might not quite understand your authority in Christ with this brief teaching however, filled with the Holy Spirit and studying God’s Word you will gain clarity. You will begin to use that authority and run the devil off when he comes to attack your mind, steal from you or your family, and bring sickness or destruction. Jesus instructed the apostles to receive the power of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 24:49, Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.

I encourage you to read through the book of Acts and 1 Corinthians, chapter 14 and ask the Lord for understanding. Once you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will have confidence in God’s Word and understand the power in the name of Jesus to command any evil spirit to stop it’s maneuvers against you. The Holy Spirit teaches, empowers, instructs, and comforts us. He is the greatest gift to the Body of Christ.

In Luke 11:13, Jesus said, “ If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”