Power and Authority
Power and Authority: What Jesus Restored to Us
When God created Adam and Eve, He didn’t just give them life—He gave them dominion. In Genesis 1:26–28, God entrusted humanity with authority over the earth, to rule and steward it in partnership with Him. That authority was tied to their relationship with God, their obedience to His Word, and their identity as His image-bearers.
But when Adam and Eve sinned, they surrendered that authority. By choosing disobedience, they handed over their God-given dominion to the enemy. From that moment, sin and death entered the world, and Satan became “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Humanity was left spiritually powerless, separated from God’s presence, and under the rule of darkness.
This is where the cross changes everything.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus didn’t just secure forgiveness for our sins—He broke the power of sin and death, defeated Satan, and restored to God’s children the authority that was lost in the Garden.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” — Matthew 28:18–19
When we receive salvation, we receive far more than a ticket to heaven. We are restored to right standing with God, adopted as His children, filled with His Spirit, and commissioned to walk in the same power and authority that Jesus Himself walked in. That means we are not helpless against the enemy—we are equipped to overcome him.
Jesus gave His followers authority:
- To overcome the works of the enemy — Luke 10:19
- To heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the Kingdom — Mark 16:17–18
- To bind and loose in agreement with Heaven — Matthew 16:19
This authority is not symbolic—it is spiritual reality. But authority unused is authority wasted. Too many believers live unaware of what has been given to them, settling for a powerless Christianity that looks nothing like the victorious life Jesus purchased for us.
The Need for the Body of Christ to Step into Our Authority
The world asks: “Where is God? Why did God let this happen?”
But Heaven asks:
“Why aren’t you laying hands? Why aren’t you standing firm? Why aren’t you casting out the demons? Why aren’t you praying with persistence? Why aren’t you exercising the power and authority I have already given you?”
Too often, believers are waiting for God to act when He has already given us the authority to act in His name. Jesus told us to heal the sick, cast out demons, proclaim the Gospel, and make disciples—not to simply pray for Him to do what He has already commanded and empowered us to do.
Authority unused is authority forfeited.
The early Church understood this. They didn’t just pray about problems; they confronted them in the power of the Spirit. They didn’t hope darkness would leave; they commanded it to leave. They didn’t only sympathize with the sick; they healed them in Jesus’ name.
The same authority that turned the world upside down in Acts still belongs to the Body of Christ today. But we must rise up and use it. The darkness we see in the world is not proof of God’s absence, it is proof of the Church’s silence.
How to Walk in Your God-Given Authority
Walking in Kingdom authority is not about arrogance, self-promotion, or self-reliance; it is about representing the King and enforcing His will on earth as it is in Heaven. It’s the posture of a servant and the confidence of an ambassador, knowing that what you carry is not from yourself, but from the One who sent you.
1. Knowing Your Identity — You are a child of God, a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
Authority flows from identity. If you don’t know who you are in Christ, you’ll hesitate to act in His name. The enemy will try to convince you you’re unworthy or powerless—but God says you are His child, adopted into His family, and a co-heir with Christ. You have been raised with Him and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). That means when you speak and act in alignment with His will, you do so from a place of spiritual position, not earthly striving.
2. Being Filled with the Spirit — The Holy Spirit is your power source (Acts 1:8)
Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Even after walking with Him for three years, they were not ready to walk in full authority until they received the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers your words, confirms God’s will, and manifests Kingdom power through you. Without Him, authority is an empty title—like holding a badge but having no backing. With Him, you carry the very power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).
3. Standing on the Word — Authority flows through His promises and commands
The authority of a believer is only as strong as the truth it stands on. Jesus resisted the enemy in the wilderness by declaring, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4). God’s Word is the legal foundation of our authority—it reveals His will, defines His promises, and exposes the lies of the enemy. To walk in authority, you must know the Word, speak it boldly, and align your actions with it. It is both your weapon (Ephesians 6:17) and your shield.
4. Obedience to His Voice — True authority is exercised in alignment with His will
Authority is not a blank check to do whatever we please. Jesus Himself said, “The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing” (John 5:19). Your authority carries Heaven’s weight only when it is exercised under Heaven’s direction. That’s why it’s vital to listen for God’s voice and respond quickly. The more you practice obeying in small things, the more prepared you’ll be to act boldly in bigger moments.
5. Faith in Action — Authority is not just believed—it is demonstrated
It’s possible to know all the right Scriptures about authority and still never use it. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Authority is proven in action—praying for the sick, resisting the enemy, declaring God’s promises over situations, and speaking life where there’s death. Every step of faith you take strengthens your confidence and builds your spiritual reflex to act without hesitation when God calls.
Like a police officer’s badge, your authority carries the full backing of Heaven. But a badge hidden in your pocket does nothing. You must take it out, step forward, and enforce the victory Jesus has already won. When you do, you’ll see the Kingdom advance—not because of who you are in yourself, but because of whose you are.
What Hinders Our Authority
Even though the authority Jesus gave us is real and irrevocable (Romans 11:29), it can be hindered in our lives when we allow certain barriers to remain. These hindrances don’t take away our authority—they limit our ability to walk in it.
1. Ignorance — Not knowing what’s been given to you
If you don’t know you have authority, you’ll never use it. Many believers live as spiritual beggars, pleading for God to do what He has already empowered them to do. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Authority begins with revelation—understanding from Scripture that Jesus has already given you the right to speak, act, and stand in His name. Without that knowledge, the enemy can operate freely because you don’t know you have the legal right to resist him.
2. Unbelief — Doubting it works for you
You may believe God works through some people, but doubt that He would work through you. That doubt shuts down authority before it can be exercised. James 1:6 warns that the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, and that such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Faith is the currency of the Kingdom; without it, authority becomes an unused promise instead of an active reality.
3. Unrepentant Sin — Disobedience dulls your spiritual edge
Sin doesn’t cancel your authority, but it undermines your confidence to walk in it. When you live in disobedience, guilt and shame open the door for the enemy to accuse you (Revelation 12:10) and erode your spiritual boldness. It’s hard to cast out demons or stand firm in spiritual battle if you’re knowingly giving the enemy a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Repentance restores clarity, boldness, and the joy that fuels authority.
4. Fear of Man — Caring more about people’s opinions than God’s call
Fear of people’s opinions silences many believers. Proverbs 29:25 warns that “the fear of man lays a snare.” When you’re more concerned about being accepted, liked, or understood than about obeying God, you will hesitate to act in authority—especially when it makes you stand out or invites criticism. Authority thrives in obedience to God, not approval from people.
5. Prayerlessness — Authority is strengthened in communion with God
Authority is not just about words you say—it’s about the spiritual weight behind them. That weight comes from an ongoing relationship with God. Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16), even though He was already walking in full authority. Prayer keeps you aligned with God’s will, sensitive to His direction, and filled with His Spirit. Without that connection, your authority will feel mechanical instead of Spirit-empowered.
The enemy cannot take back your authority—but he can convince you not to use it.
He will use lies, accusations, distractions, and fear to make you passive. The only way to overcome those tactics is through truth, faith, repentance, courage, and intimacy with God.
Our Mission at Brave Action Ministry
At Brave Action Ministry, we are committed to helping the Body of Christ wake up to the reality of what Jesus purchased for us—not only the forgiveness of sins but the restoration of Kingdom authority.
We teach it.
We model it.
We challenge believers to step into it.
Because the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Corinthians 4:20).
We believe this is the hour for the Church to rise—not as passive observers, but as active ambassadors of Heaven. Equipped. Bold. Unshakable. Moving in the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
And here’s the truth: we can’t do this without the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). But we also can’t do this without one another. The mission Jesus gave us was never meant to be lived out in isolation. The Body of Christ is designed to function as one—many parts, one Spirit, one mission.
That’s what we’re about: bringing the Body together in the knowledge of our authority and walking it out together—shoulder to shoulder, strengthening each other, holding each other accountable, and advancing the Kingdom as one united force.
It’s time to take your stand.
It’s time to enforce the victory of the cross.
It’s time to walk in the authority you’ve been given—together.