A CHRISTIAN’S AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
In 1973, a movie based on the supernatural took America by storm. Its title? The Exorcist.
Recently, the movie The Deliverance was No. 1 on Netflix’s Top Ten Movies being viewed.
These films, along with a myriad of others produced by Hollywood, in no way represent a Christian’s authority in Christ over the demonic realm.
There are seven recorded demonic possessions and subsequent exorcisms by Jesus in the Gospel accounts. (Cf. Lk 8:2 – “Mary Magdelene… out of whom Jesus cast seven demons.”)
Let’s take a quick look at the biblical (rather than Hollywood’s) record of Jesus’ authority over Satan and his demons:
Never once was there a “battle” between Jesus and the demons like we see in the movies.
DEMONS ARE TERRIFIED OF JESUS.
When Jesus approached the man possessed by a “legion” of demons (a Roman Legion comprised about 5000 soldiers), not even an army of demons were strong enough (or brave enough) to fight Jesus. In fact, just the opposite was true. Mark and Luke both record the scene:
“When he (Legion) saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him (he threw his human host to the ground), and said in a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” (Mark 5; Luke 8)
THE EXORCISMS WERE IMMEDIATE.
The demons were driven out by the mere word of Christ. Done. Game over. No battle.
No “holy water” was needed. No approval from any church authority. The authority of Jesus was plenty.
In each case,…
(1) They cried out in terror at the sight of Jesus.
(2) They acknowledged who he was.
(3) They were subject to Christ’s authority and obeyed his every command.
Theologian, Darrel Bock, wrote,
[Through Christ], “the finger of God is at work. Demons flee. The grip is lifted. Satan’s house is plundered, his kingdom is being dismantled. At the center of it all stands Jesus Christ.”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE CHRISTIAN?
Paul wrote,
“For we overwhelmingly conquer/more than through him who loved us,” and “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power/his vast strength.” (Romans 8:37; Ephesians 6:10) [emphasis mine]
The devil would love for you to pick a fight with him in your own strength and confidence. See how that goes for you.
But the Bible says, “through Christ, in Christ.”
I cited in Pt 3 the “armor of God” described in the 6th chapter of Ephesians as Paul is instructing the local Christians on how to live victoriously over the enemy.
Don’t miss this:
The pieces of armor are metaphors; when we “put on the armor of God”, we’re putting on Christ. All of him. In other words, we appropriating biblical truth in our thoughts and actions.
Young David, facing a ferocious giant, knew well where his authority and strength came from when he shouted at Goliath:
“You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel!” (1 Samuel 17:45)
SO WHO AM I IN CHRIST?
John 1:12 – I am God’s child.
1 Corinthians 6:17 – I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – I have been bought with a price: I belong to God.
Ephesians 2:18 – I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:31-33 – I stand holy before God…
“Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.”
Hebrews 4:16 – I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
1 John 5:18 – I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
In The Bondage Breaker, Author, Neil Anderson, reminds us,
“There is no need to defeat the devil, Christ has already accomplished that.”
The 19th century theologian, John Henry Newman, once said,
“Jesus Christ has broken the power of Satan;…and henceforth evil spirits, instead of having power over us, tremble and are terrified of every true Christian.”
Indeed, James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote,
[The demons] believe and shudder/tremble [in awe-filled terror and horror]. (2:19b)
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In 1988, I invited a former Satanic High Priest to speak at a youth ministry event. Before coming to faith in Christ he’d risen to the rank of 9th Magus in the Satanic Priesthood. The stories he told me of his past were shocking.
His coming to faith in Christ was extremely dramatic. Alas, space doesn’t allow me to share it here. But I will share what he said after he got saved:
“Satan had convinced me I was powerful. But, that day I cried out to God I had never in my life seen power as I did in the terrifying, almighty Jesus Christ.”
There’s so much more I wish I had room to write. But, I leave you with this to consider…
As the disciple, John, is given a glimpse into the spiritual realm, he hears the angel proclaim in a loud voice,
“And [those in Christ] have conquered [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” (Revelation 12:11)
“The blood of the Lamb” means “the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ” who was the embodiment of the lamb sacrificed at the Jewish festival of Passover.
That sacrificial, atoning death on the Cross “tore the veil of the temple in two.” It removed forever all barriers between God and mankind. It provided a way for all to be reconciled to a holy God. It’s what Paul meant when he wrote,
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away (from God due to our sin) have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
This is precisely why demons hate the blood. They’re terrified of the blood. They shriek at the blood. They are defeated by the blood. The life-giving, soul-calming, power-infusing blood of the Lamb.
What follows are the lyrics to a song I heard decades ago titled “The People of God.”
Hear us, O spirits of darkness, So you will know where we stand,
We are His children, purchased with scars, Bought by the blood of the Lamb,
The blood of the Lamb.
And we’re the people of God, Called by His name,
Called from the dark, Delivered from shame,
One holy race, Saints everyone,
Because of the blood of Christ, Jesus, the Son.
Further reading: “Biblical Demonology: Do ghosts exist? Can we communicate with the dead?”
Solus Christus, Nick