Last week we started looking at this interesting concept. What we learned so far is:
- God is the source of all authority.
- Authority works best when it is relational, not just positional.
This week we continue with establishing some understanding about spiritual authority. These are things we must understand to have a proper understanding of the subject of spiritual authority.
The third thing we must understand when it comes to authority is that authority is functional and not static. Authority is distributed so that it can serve a purpose. Authority is never passive. Authority, in its very essence, requires someone to act. Imagine Jesus having authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, forgive sins, but he just went about doing his own thing each day. Imagine he had all that but never acted on it. No one would respect him for it. No one will even submit to such an authority that only carries a title but is entirely unable to change anything.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, and he went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed of the devil.
I know this will ruffle some feathers, but here it goes. If your leaders are leaders in title only but show no ability to deliver people or set them free, you might want to find someone functional in their calling and not have a leader that is just static in his authority. You will never grow beyond the ones that lead you and leaders that do not challenge you. If their authority is static, yours will be too.
Because authority is functional, it has the potential to be abused or misused. I am sure we all have a story to tell. We must understand that if someone misuses a hundred dollar bill, it does not mean we stop using hundred dollar bills. Because someone else abuses authority does not tell that all authority is abusive. There is an authentic authority that functions in a proper relationship, and that blesses the people and not curse them. Find the ministry where authority functions to bless and challenge the people. We must be careful. Yielding to an authority that is out of wack can only lead to disaster.
We see the seven sons of Sceva that tried to cast out demons in the name of Jesus, just because they saw someone else do it. It did not end well for them because not even the devils will submit to that kind of abusive authority. Acts 19:13-16.
The great question is: Can we measure how authentic authority functions?
The fourth thing we must understand is that authority and primarily spiritual authority functions through love. The more God can trust you to love people well; the more his authority will function in your life. To trust you with authority, knowing you do not love well, will only end in you manipulating people. You will never control someone you love. God never manipulates people. He always gives us a choice to make.
Manipulation is narcissistic, self-seeking, and self-centered. The root of manipulation is demonic. The enemy tries to manipulate, control, and rule over people through deception and lies. Manipulation is a sure sign of someone who lacks the proper authority and plans to advance themselves. God will never put his stamp of approval on that kind of leadership. It is time we discern authentic leadership leading by authority and not just people leading because they have the talent to preach or teach.
John 14:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another.
The next thing that will come from this is that people with real authority tend to give people hope and energize faith in people. Everywhere Jesus went, people felt loved and had faith to believe in a miracle. Faith is energized by love – Gal 5:6b.
Love is never defined as permission. Love will correct, and love will act. It is not a loving act to see someone in sin and be silent. That is called license and enablement, not love. Another reason ministries are powerless and without authority is because we compromised with the fear of man. Political correctness has become the new holy spirit in the church. How can God trust us with spiritual authority if we use it to enable a man in his sin?
The world needs to see men and women that walk in their spiritual authority. When Jesus gave us the great commandment to go into all the world, He gave us the authority over the power of the enemy – Luke 10:19.
We have all we will ever need to be more than overcomers. Can we learn to stay in fellowship and relationship, placing His commands above all else and become ambassadors for His Kingdom?
