Authority Vs. Power: Walking in Kingdom Authority

What happens in the natural realm has its roots in the spiritual realm. If you are experiencing adversity, your understanding of the difference between power and authority could significantly effect the outcome.

In regards to spiritual warfare, one of the most critical aspects to understand is the difference between authority and power. All authority originates with Yahweh, the God of the Bible (Gen.1:1 & Jn.1:1). All things were created by Him, for Him and He holds all things together – even now.

Authority Defined
Authority could be defined as “the legal right to accomplish a task”. By way of being the Creator of all, all things are under the authority of Yahweh God.

Colossians 1:16-17
¹⁶ For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
¹⁷ And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (are held together).

Power Defined
On the other hand there is “Power”. In this context power could be defined as “the ability to perform a certain task”

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you:

Authority vs. Power
The best way I know to explain the difference between power and authority is by considering a policeman standing at an intersection directing traffic. There is no way a two hundred pound flesh and bone man, by himself, can stop vehicles of steel weighing thousands of pounds. Yet it is the authority of the badge that encourages drivers to obey his commands.

It is not the man that commands respect, it is the AUTHORITY of the badge that drivers obey. If the policeman is carrying a firearm, that weapon can give him the POWER to enforce his authority. But legally, he can only use his firearm if he has a legal right to do so.

Satan has the ability (power) to roam the earth seeking whom he can devour. But for those in covenant with Yahweh God, generally speaking, satan has no legal authority to abuse them.

We have Power and Authority over satan
Matthew 28:18
Yeshua came and spake unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Yeshua disarmed satan demonstrating that He has greater power over him

Colossians 2:15
And having delivered principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Like all bullies, satan usually doesn’t obey the law or respect legalities. But it is important to remember that whether the bully respects the law or not, God’s law is the supreme authority, Yeshua has power over satan and satan will obey God (eventually) whether he wants to or not.

Learn to walk in the power and authority that you have in Yeshua (Jesus)
But just as a policeman needs to learn how to use his power and authority, likewise we need to learn how to use ours.

And so be encouraged today. Though at times we struggle, when necessary, we do have the authority of Yeshua to battle and even defeat satan here in this life.

Not all challenges are initiated by satan. But what a blessing it is to know that, as a child of the Most High God, we are not at the mercy of our enemy.

May Yahweh God bless and keep you as you push toward the mark of the prize of His high calling for your life.

Blessings in Yeshua, 
Parson Rayphe
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