By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel 

“Behold I gave you the authority to tramples on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

Jesus sent His disciples into the wild as sheep that could be eaten by wolves for the purpose of evangelism but not without His protection. He made sure He equipped them for the battle ahead before releasing them; He gave them the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. He assured them that nothing will harm them. They returned and reported that even the devils were subject to them!

A sheep has nothing to defend itself with. It cannot boast of having claws or fangs. This means we cannot depend on anything else to protect us other than what He has given us; the power in His name. This is why the bible also state in Acts 4:12 that salvation can only be obtained through His name. Every believer must constantly remember and live conscious of the fact that we have authority in Christ.

When talking to people about Christ, avoid arguments instead be gentle, patient, and kind. It is only that God will minister to them and make them come to their senses to escape from the devil’s trap. Your job is to speak the word and the Spirit of God will move to complete the work in their hearts.

God’s original plan was to give us authority as seen in Genesis 1:26. “Then God said, “Let us make man in our Own image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over everything creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Adam and Eve were God’s ambassadors on earth with delegated authority to dominate everything created. Unfortunately, they sold their dominion to the devil by their disobedience to God. They lost that authority and this hindered them from fulfilling God’s desired purpose for them on earth. Thank God for Jesus who restored it back to us through His death and resurrection.

Delegated authority is only exercised or used for God’s will; not in promoting self or other agenda. The will of God determines where His power goes and where His authority is exercised. God does everything to promote His will. He delegates authority to you because it is His will for you to have and exercise dominion on earth.

God created a new person out of you with a different lineage. You were created from the lineage of the Holy Spirit when you got born again, this is how you earned that position of authority. You are not of Adam and his sins do not affect you. The devil has lost his hold over you; old things are passed away and all things have been made new. You are God’s masterpiece with the same authority to perform the kinds of miracles Jesus did while on earth.

In His name, you are powerful enough to make Satan bow to Him. He has delegated that authority to you and if you don’t use it, you will be operating at a disadvantage. Use the power you have. Use what works.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.