There are many Christians who live below the standard God intends for them because they do not understand the scope of their spiritual authority.
Although I have written on this subject before, I still feel the need to share more—this time in a more practical and action-oriented way. Here, you will learn how to live out your spiritual authority in real life and experience true transformation
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to unlock your spiritual authority and learn how a believer can command the storms of life
It is very sad to see a Christian living in fear of demons when, in reality, demons should be afraid of them.
Many believers become afraid whenever there is a deliverance session. Some even worry that the demons might “jump on them.” Others feel powerless when they encounter demonic activities in their environment.
Because of this fear, they constantly look for a “deliverance minister” who will handle demons on their behalf.
What many of them do not understand is that every child of God has authority over demons, no matter how small or how powerful those demons may appear to be.
A proper understanding of this subject will remove fear and help you know and exercise your authority as a child of God. That is why we discussed it further in the post titled ‘Fear Not: Understanding Your Authority as a Child of God.
The authority over demonic powers is not reserved for a few special ministers. It is part of the inheritance of every believer in Christ.
Unfortunately, when Christians are not aware of this authority, they end up living in unnecessary fear and dependence on others for something God has already given them power to handle.
Jesus made it clear that those who believe in Him would have authority over evil spirits. In the early church, ordinary believers exercised this authority as part of their daily Christian life. Casting out demons was not seen as a special ability reserved for a few individuals; it was a natural expression of the authority believers had in Christ.
Yet today, many Christians behave as though demons are more powerful than the authority God has given them. Instead of confronting darkness with confidence, they retreat in fear.
This should not be so.
When a believer truly understands who they are in Christ and the authority that comes with that identity, their perspective changes completely. Fear begins to disappear, and confidence in Christ grows stronger.
This is why it is important for us to keep studying and teaching about our spiritual authority. The more believers understand what Christ has already accomplished for them, the more boldly they will live out their faith.
So in this discussion, let us take some time to learn more about our authority in Christ and what it truly means for our daily lives.
Understanding this truth can completely transform how we respond to spiritual opposition and help us live the victorious life God has already provided for us. It will also help you recognize the authority you have over demons. Learn more in the post, ‘You Have Power Over Demons and the Devil: Understanding Your Authority in Christ
What Spiritual Authority Means for Every Believer.
Many Christians love God sincerely, yet they live far below the level of authority God has given them. Not because God withheld anything from them, but because they simply do not understand what belongs to them in Christ.
I shared a story from my childhood about how my father refused to let a child of the devil exercise authority over him. It taught me a powerful lesson: ‘If you do not know your kingdom rights, fear will rule you
Spiritual authority is one of the most important truths every believer must understand. Without this understanding, a Christian can easily live in unnecessary fear, confusion, and defeat.
But what exactly does spiritual authority mean?
In simple terms, spiritual authority is the power and right God has given every believer to stand against the works of the enemy and live victoriously through Christ. It is not something reserved for pastors, prophets, or deliverance ministers alone. It belongs to every child of God.
Spiritual authority also includes the courage to stand up to your bully. We discussed this more deeply in the post, ‘Stand Up to Your Bully: Confront Fear with Faith and Authority.
Jesus made this very clear during His ministry. In Luke 10:19, He told His disciples:
"Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Notice something important in that statement. Jesus did not say He would give authority only to a few selected believers. He spoke to His followers and made it clear that authority over the enemy was part of their inheritance.
Yet today, many believers behave as if demons are more powerful than the authority Christ has given them. Some become afraid whenever they hear about demonic manifestations. Others feel helpless whenever they encounter spiritual opposition.
But this is not the picture the Bible presents.
Think about the early believers in the book of Acts. They did not live in fear of demonic powers. They confronted them with confidence because they understood the authority they had in the name of Jesus.
Spiritual authority does not mean arrogance or pride. It simply means standing in the position Christ has given you.
When a police officer stands in the middle of the road and raises his hand, vehicles stop—not because the officer is physically stronger than the cars, but because of the authority behind his uniform.
In the same way, the believer’s authority comes from Christ Himself.
However, authority must be understood and exercised to be effective. Imagine a police officer who forgets he has authority and runs away from traffic. The authority still exists, but it is not being used.
The same thing happens when believers do not understand their spiritual authority.
So how can a believer begin to walk in this authority?
First, know who you are in Christ. The moment you became a child of God, you were brought into a new spiritual position. You are no longer under the dominion of darkness.
Second, believe what God’s Word says about your authority. Faith grows when we continually expose our minds to the truth of Scripture.
Spiritual authority also gives you power over curses that often cause fear. We explored this more in the post, ‘Don’t Be Afraid of Curses: Why No Curse Can Work Against a Child of God
Third, exercise your authority with confidence. When spiritual opposition arises, remember that you are not fighting alone. Christ has already won the victory.
Spiritual authority is not about shouting loudly or performing dramatic actions. It is about standing firmly in the victory Jesus has already secured.
When believers begin to understand this truth, fear begins to fade, confidence grows, and they start living the victorious life God intended for them.
It’s important to understand that, as part of your authority in Christ, no one can curse you. We explored this more in the post, ‘No Man Can Curse Who God Has Blessed: Walking in True Freedom.
And that is exactly what spiritual authority means for every believer.
Why Many Christians Live Without Using Their Authority.
There are many reasons Christians do not use their spiritual authority, but in this discussion we will focus on only three.
A. Fear
Sadly, I have discovered that many Christians live in fear of the very things they should have control over. This fear prevents them from exercising the authority God has given them.
Think about this illustration. Imagine you are living in your father’s house, and your parents hire a maid to help in the house. This maid happens to be very big and intimidating.
Because of her appearance, you become afraid of her. Each time you see her, you feel too scared to move freely in your father’s house. You begin to think that if you exercise your freedom in the house, she might become angry and harm you.
Christians often fear not only the devil and evil spirits but also missing heaven. We explored this more in the post, ‘Kick Out Fear of Not Making Heaven: Understanding God’s Good Pleasure
So you start living in fear.
You stop enjoying many of the privileges that belong to you as the child of the house. When food is served and you are not satisfied, you cannot even ask for more. Instead of living like a son, you begin to behave like a servant.
In this situation, the maid becomes the one acting like the son, while the real son lives like a slave.
This is exactly what is happening to many Christians today. Demons, the devil, and the systems of this world—things believers are meant to rule over—have become the very things ruling over them.
No wonder the Bible says:
“I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.”
— Ecclesiastes 10:7
This will not be your story anymore from today, in Jesus’ name.
B. Lack of Knowledge
Another reason many Christians fail to exercise their authority is lack of knowledge. Many believers simply do not know that they have authority in Christ.
Think about lawyers. One reason they are confident is because they know the law. You cannot easily harass a knowledgeable lawyer because you might end up getting yourself into serious trouble.
In the same way, if a child who is the heir of a kingdom does not understand his position, his rights, and the territory under his authority, he may end up being controlled by servants.
Let us go back to our example of the son and the maid. The moment the son grows and becomes aware of who he is in his father’s house, everything changes.
He will begin to give instructions confidently, and the maid will naturally submit to those instructions. Why? Because he is the rightful heir of the house and deserves the same respect given to his parents.
In the same way, when believers understand who they are in Christ, they begin to exercise their spiritual authority with confidence.
Few Christians realize that they have authority over how long they live. We explored this more in the post, ‘You Have Authority Over Life and Death: Biblical Insights and True Stories
So let me ask you a question:
Do you know your kingdom rights?
C. Lack of Training
The third reason many Christians do not exercise their authority is lack of training on how to use it.
It is not that opportunities for learning do not exist. The problem is that many believers do not make themselves available for such training.
Many people are so busy that they cannot even spend an hour listening to a seasoned man or woman of God teaching from experience.
Yet most of the practical training on spiritual authority often happens in places like:
Prayer meetings
Sunday school classes
Evangelism activities
Deliverance sessions
Sermons and Bible teachings
Unfortunately, many believers no longer prioritize these gatherings. They are often too occupied with work and other responsibilities to make time for spiritual growth.
As a result, they remain unaware of how to exercise the authority God has already given them.
But the good news is that this can change. When believers overcome fear, gain knowledge, and submit themselves to proper training, they begin to walk in the authority that rightfully belongs to them in Christ.
The Power of Righteousness as Your Defense Against the Devil.
To effectively exercise your spiritual authority, you must walk in righteousness. In the book of Ephesians 6, the Bible tells us to put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Learn why righteousness is your only defense against your enemy in the post, ‘Your Only Defense Against the Devil’s Arrow: Understanding Righteousness
The breastplate in a soldier’s armor is meant for protection. In the same way, righteousness serves as spiritual protection for the believer. Without righteousness, a person can easily become a prey to the powers of darkness.
To better understand this, let us look at righteousness in two broad categories.
A. The Gift of Righteousness
When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He gave you the gift of righteousness.
This gift makes God see you the same way He sees Jesus. It also causes God to love you with the same love He has for His Son. This is not something we earned by our works; it is something we received by grace through faith.
Because it is a gift, you cannot grow in it, and you cannot diminish it by your efforts. We did not obtain it by our works, so we cannot maintain it by our works either. The only way to lose this position is to deliberately turn away from Christ.
When a believer understands this truth, confidence grows. The believer begins to realize that he or she stands before God in the righteousness of Christ. This understanding makes a Christian bold and fearless, becoming a terror to the kingdom of darkness.
B. The Deeds of Righteousness
While the gift of righteousness is given to us when we become born again, the deeds of righteousness are the choices we make daily to live in a way that pleases God.
Think of the gift of righteousness as a white garment that Christ has given you. It is pure and clean. God expects you to keep that garment clean by living a life that reflects your new identity in Christ.
This is where intentional living comes in.
The Bible instructs us to mortify certain behaviors, meaning we must deliberately put them to death. We are also told to stay away from certain things and to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.
God does not expect us to stain the white garment He has given us with sinful living.
When believers do not live righteously, they give the devil an opportunity to accuse them. Sin weakens our confidence and can hinder our ability to stand boldly in spiritual battles.
In a sense, sin works like a tracking device. Just as a tracking device makes it easy to locate someone’s position, sin makes it easier for the enemy to find areas of weakness in a person’s life.
Once there is unrepented sin in a person’s life, the enemy may try to use it as an entry point to create trouble.
This is why believers are encouraged to live righteously.
Righteousness protects us, strengthens our confidence before God, and helps us stand firmly in the authority Christ has given us.
So, guard your heart, live intentionally, and stay righteous.
Speaking God’s Word as a Weapon of Authority.
One of the most powerful weapons God has given to believers is His Word. Many Christians know the Bible is important, but few realize that God’s Word is also a weapon of spiritual authority. When spoken with faith, it carries power that can change situations, silence the enemy, and establish God’s will on earth.
Discover the power of declaring God’s Word in the post, ‘Let the Weak Say I Am Strong: The Power of Speaking God’s Word
Words are powerful. In fact, the very world we live in today came into existence through spoken words. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God did not struggle or negotiate with darkness—He simply spoke His Word, and creation responded.
In the same way, believers are called to speak God’s Word in the situations they face.
A perfect example is the life of Jesus. When He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He did not argue, panic, or try to reason with the enemy. Instead, He responded with a simple but powerful phrase: “It is written.” Every temptation the devil brought was defeated by the Word of God spoken from the mouth of Jesus.
This teaches us something very important: the Word of God in your mouth is a weapon.
Many Christians believe the Word of God only works when it is silently read or quietly believed. But the Bible shows us that there is power in declaring God’s Word aloud. When you speak God’s promises over your life, you are aligning your situation with heaven’s authority.
Imagine a police officer standing in the middle of a busy road. The officer may not be physically stronger than the cars approaching him, yet when he raises his hand, vehicles stop. Why? Because he speaks and acts with authority backed by the government.
In the same way, when believers speak the Word of God, they are not speaking on their own authority. They are speaking with the authority of the Kingdom of God behind them.
Read my story of how I avoided punishment as a child by speaking God’s Word in the post, ‘How I Avoided Punishment Through Faith: A Lesson in Speaking God’s Word.
When fear comes, you can declare what God has said about you: that He has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. When challenges arise, you can speak the promises of God over your situation. When the enemy tries to intimidate you, you can respond with the truth of Scripture.
Speaking God’s Word does two powerful things. First, it strengthens your faith. As you speak the Word, you remind yourself of what God has promised. Your confidence begins to rise because you are focusing on God’s truth instead of your circumstances.
Second, it resists the enemy. Darkness cannot stand where the light of God’s Word is declared. Just as Jesus used Scripture to defeat temptation, believers today can also use the Word as a weapon to stand against spiritual attacks.
However, this weapon is only effective if you know the Word. You cannot speak what you do not know. This is why studying the Bible, meditating on it, and storing it in your heart is so important.
The more God’s Word fills your heart, the more naturally it will flow from your mouth when situations arise.
So learn to speak God’s Word daily. Declare His promises over your life, your family, and your future. When challenges appear, respond the same way Jesus did: “It is written.”
Because when believers speak God’s Word in faith, they are not just talking—they are exercising spiritual authority.
Be aware that sometimes, when God’s Word is spoken, hell may break loose. This is explained in more detail in the post, ‘When Hell Breaks Loose After God’s Word: Why Victory Is Near.’ Such opposition does not mean the Word will not prevail—it only shows that the Word has begun to work, and victory is certain
How Faith Empowers Believers to Overcome Fear and Attacks.
Fear is one of the most common obstacles that Christians face. It creeps in quietly, affects decisions, and often keeps believers from stepping into their full potential in God. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of spiritual attacks, the Bible makes it clear that fear is not from God. Faith, on the other hand, empowers us to rise above fear and stand strong in the face of any attack.
When doubt arises in your life, it is a sign that the devil is at work, trying to steal what God is already doing. Learn more in the post, ‘The Devil’s Assignment: How Doubt Is Used to Stop People from Serving God
Have you ever wondered why some people remain calm in situations that would make others panic? It’s not luck or natural strength—it’s faith in God. Faith gives believers the courage to face trials because it shifts the focus from the size of the problem to the greatness of God.
Think about David facing Goliath. He was just a young shepherd boy, and the enemy before him was a giant warrior, experienced and heavily armed. To the eyes of men, fear would have been natural. Yet David declared confidently, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). David’s faith empowered him to confront the giant, not with swords or shields, but with trust in God’s power.
Faith is also what enables believers to overcome spiritual attacks. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:16 to take up the shield of faith, which protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy. These “fiery darts” represent doubt, fear, temptation, and spiritual attacks designed to make us stumble. But faith acts as a shield, allowing us to deflect fear and stay grounded in God’s promises.
Here’s an important principle: faith is activated when we act on God’s Word. You may know Scripture, but if you don’t believe it in your heart and apply it in your life, it cannot empower you. Just like a muscle, faith grows stronger the more it is exercised. Every time you trust God in a challenging situation, you are building your spiritual strength.
Ask yourself: What fears are holding me back today? What attacks are making me doubt God’s power in my life? When you identify them, you can respond with faith. Speak God’s promises out loud. Declare that He is your protector, your provider, and your defender. Faith responds, fear retreats.
Faith also gives perspective. When fear whispers, “You can’t handle this,” faith reminds you, “God is in control, and nothing can separate me from His love” (Romans 8:38–39). It replaces panic with peace, despair with hope, and doubt with confidence.
Finally, faith connects you to God’s power. A believer walking in faith is not relying on their own strength but on the unlimited power of God working through them. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, empowering you to face fears and overcome attacks.
So, start today: identify the fears that have been holding you back, declare God’s promises over your life, and act in faith. Remember, fear loses its grip when faith takes the lead. The challenges may come, but with faith as your shield, you will not be shaken.
Faith is more than belief—it is power in action. And when you walk in it, you will see fear defeated, attacks nullified, and God’s victory manifest in your life.
Real-Life Examples of Christians Exercising Spiritual Authority.
In this discussion, we will explore a few real-life examples of how to exercise your spiritual authority. I will take two examples from the Bible, one from my dad, and one from my own life.
The purpose of this is simple: to show you that once you are born again, you already have the authority to act in the spiritual realm. You do not need to be a spiritual giant to see results.
Your spiritual authority is one of the kingdom rights you receive as a child of God. The only things that can limit your results are fear or a failure to act in faith.
Let’s look at the examples:
1. Jesus’ Authority Over Demons
Jesus gave us the ultimate example of how to exercise authority over demons. In Mark 5:1-13, we see Him casting out a legion of demons from a man in the region of the Gadarenes. He did this simply by speaking the Word.
The lesson here is clear: there is power in your words. When spoken in faith and in the authority of Christ, your words can command and defeat the works of darkness. Learning to use your words wisely is one of the keys to walking in spiritual authority.
2. Paul’s Authority Over an Unclean Spirit
Another biblical example is the story of Paul and the demon-possessed slave girl in Acts 16:16-18. This girl followed Paul and his companions, proclaiming truths about God but under demonic influence.
Paul did not argue or tolerate the spirit. He spoke firmly in the name of Jesus, and the demon immediately left her.
Notice this: even if a message seems “good,” if it comes from the wrong source, it can bring harm. Do not accept blessings or publicity from the devil. Spiritual authority allows you to reject and command away anything from the enemy.
3. My Dad: Authority Over Nature
My dad demonstrated spiritual authority over nature. On one occasion, he spoke to a storm, and the storm obeyed. This is a real-life example of exercising authority not just over spiritual forces but over the natural realm.
I’ve discussed this story fully in “The Man Who Talked to the Storm: A Real-Life Lesson in Christian Authority.”
4. My Own Experience
I have also exercised spiritual authority in many situations. One example is shared in “Raising Spiritually Powerful Children: Teaching Kingdom Rights from Early Childhood.”
The key takeaway here is that spiritual authority is not just theory—it must be practiced. You learn more through action than by reading alone.
Use your authority against sickness, the devil, demons, nature, and even threatening animals. I do not mean walking presumptuously into danger, but if a wild animal or aggressive dog threatens you unexpectedly, you can speak in the authority of Christ and command it to stop.
After learning all these, you should stop waiting on God to fight the Devil, you should learn to use your authority.
Final Thought
Spiritual authority is a God-given right. Do not wait for someone else to act for you. Start practicing today. Speak God’s Word, walk in faith, and command in the name of Jesus.
When exercised rightly, this authority brings freedom, protection, and victory over every challenge you face.
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