We are intended to walk in both power and authority!
In order to fulfill our individual destinies, we must operate in both authority AND power for HIS Name to be glorified.
Spiritual authority is not just bestowed, it is absorbed as we enter into and are immersed in HIS Presence. At one time, satan had authority and power until he was cast out of Heaven. He immediately lost authority but continued to have some form of power.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 10:
17 When the seventy missionaries returned to Jesus, they were ecstatic with joy, telling Him, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we commanded them in Your Name!”
8 Jesus replied, “While you were ministering, I watched satan topple until he fell suddenly from Heaven like lightning to the ground.
19 Now you understand that I have imparted to you My authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority.
Jesus imparted His authority which is superior to all other authorities on earth, both spiritual and physical. Notice that these were “no name” missionaries and not His twelve disciples. They were not “gifted” with some special and unique calling but instead were serving Our Lord Jesus. You and I qualify to be a “no name” missionary.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 11:
29 And when God chooses someone and graciously imparts gifts to him, they are never rescinded.
Gifts are irrevocable, but authority is proximity oriented. The seventy were in close proximity to Jesus in order to receive His authority
Before they went out, Jesus imparted His authority to them in Luke chapter 10:
1 After this, the Lord Jesus formed thirty-five teams among the other disciples. Each team was two disciples, seventy in all, and He commissioned them to go ahead of Him into every town he was about to visit.
2 He released them with these instructions: “The harvest is huge. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to send out many more workers into his harvest fields.
3 Now, off you go! I am sending you out even though you feel as vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves.
9 Heal the sick, and tell them all, ‘God’s Kingdom has arrived and is now within your reach!’
Keep this in mind as we refer to the parable of the ten virgins in a future writing.
The seventy disciples had a relationship with Jesus because they stayed in close proximity to Him. He knew them and they knew Him.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 2:
19 For YAHWEH-God had formed from the soil every animal of the field and every bird of the air and brought them before the man to see what he would call them. So, whatever the man called the living creature, that was its name.
GOD gave man the authority to name every creature… including the serpent. Man had authority over the serpent. The serpent was under the authority of man because he was named by Adam.
The serpent used Scripture to tempt man, and it was only after Eve added to Scripture did the serpent gain authority. Eve gave satan the permission to twist the Scripture once she added, “neither shall you touch it”. GOD didn’t say, “neither shall you touch it”, HE only said “you shall not eat of it”. She compromised her authority and satan took advantage of it. He tried it again with Jesus in the wilderness but failed!
We must protect the authority given to us at all times. That is why it is important to study and know The Word. Neither add nor subtract what has been given to us by The Holy Spirit.