“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Understanding one’s authority and power, especially in a spiritual or personal context, is crucial for living a confident and purposeful life. It involves recognising one’s capabilities, potential, and the resources available to them. Not recognising this can lead to various consequences, such as vulnerability to negative influences, lack of discernment, ineffective spiritual warfare, stagnation in growth, missed opportunities, difficulty overcoming adversity, inconsistency in spiritual discipline like prayer, studying God’s word, and lack of fulfilment and purpose.
In Luke 10:19, Jesus grants his disciples a powerful declaration of authority over spiritual forces. He made them aware of the authority and power they possess in the spiritual realm. This verse serves as a reminder of the strength and protection we have in Christ.
As believers, we are not left defenceless in the face of spiritual battles. Jesus imparts to us the authority to overcome the forces of darkness. This authority is not based on our own strength but on His.
Symbolically, snakes and scorpions represent the enemy’s schemes and attacks. Through Christ, we have the power to tread upon them. We need not fear, for our victory is assured. This promise is all-encompassing. No matter the strength or cunning of the adversary, we are equipped to triumph through the authority granted by Jesus. In Christ, we find ultimate protection. Though trials may come, we can trust that ultimately, no harm will befall us that He has not allowed for a greater purpose.
However, we need to exercise our spiritual authority by knowing our faith and beliefs, consistently making efforts towards developing our relationship with God through prayer, and studying His word, as those will help us in determining how to exercise our spiritual authority.
