Dwight Fletcher | Use your God-given authority responsibly

Rev Dwight Fletcher

MANAGERS HAVE authority over their department, but the proper use of their authority is critical to realise the best results. The proper use of authority facilitates order by guiding the way everyone relates to each other; it facilitates good organisation to properly coordinate everything involved in being efficient and eliminating things that will hold back progress, and it facilitates the best output.

Similarly, in the natural, when we use our God given spiritual authority, it brings about order, organisation and beneficial output which is God’s desired result. A centurion came to Jesus in Luke 8 and told Him that his servant was sick and dying in bed and asked Jesus to heal him. Jesus said, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. …13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.” Matthew 8:7-10, 13 (NIV). These things happen when the Christian’s authority is understood and correctly used.

When we don’t understand our authority, things get messed up. If a parent, for example, doesn’t use their authority in the right way, the child doesn’t fulfil all that they are called to be. Similarly, if a teacher doesn’t manage a class well, most students won’t learn as they should and they could end up being disruptive. Where authority is not properly exercised the result is disorder, disorganisation and reduced positive results that can lead to chaos.

Similarly, if we don’t stand in our authority in Christ, it will affect more than we may realise. The authority that Jesus has given Believers is something to take seriously. It can affect our society, families, and us individually. ‘Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”’ Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Jesus told His disciples, and by extension all Believers, to go and exercise that authority in the earth on His behalf. All Jesus’ disciples, including us, are His representatives, and are called to exercise His authority on earth. The exercise of this authority can change our nation. Believers can affect nations when we are walking correctly in our authority. Our authority is not a small thing.

John Ramirez, a former Satanist turned Christian, in his testimony said that when he was a Satanist he would curse regions with witchcraft so that Christianity would not flourish in those areas. He said that it worked everywhere except in the areas that Christians were praying. In the realm of the spirit there was power released that he couldn’t overcome.

As Christians, we need to understand our identity in Christ. If we don’t, we won’t understand our authority and the correct use of it.