based on the sermon prepared and preached by Jeff Jantzi, April 6, 2025
When it comes to spiritual warfare, there are three essentials we need to stand firm: our allegiance to King Jesus, the truth of God’s Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Picture these like the three legs of a stool—if even one is missing, the whole thing collapses. Our freedom in Christ and victory over the enemy depend on all three. In previous weeks, we explored the call to allegiance—faithful obedience to Jesus—and the role of truth, where Scripture becomes our greatest weapon against the lies of the enemy. Now, we turn to the final leg: power. More specifically, the supernatural power and authority believers have in Christ through the Holy Spirit. While this can feel uncomfortable—especially given the ways it’s been misunderstood or misused—our goal is to ground this conversation not in hype or extremes, but in Scripture. Because when we understand our authority rightly, we can walk in freedom and stand strong in the battle.
Created for Authority
To understand what it means to walk in spiritual authority today, we need to look back to the very beginning. In Genesis 1, before sin entered the story, God gave humanity a clear purpose: to reign, govern, and care for creation in partnership with Him. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, empowered to exercise gentle and humble authority over the world He made. Naming the animals in Genesis 2 wasn’t just an exercise in creativity—it was an act of entrusted power. In the ancient world, naming something was a sign of authority over it. This was God’s original intent: that humans would carry His authority on the earth, in close relationship with Him.
But everything changed in Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve chose to obey the serpent rather than God, they broke that partnership and handed their God-given authority over to the enemy. The consequences were devastating: broken relationships, cursed creation, pain, toil, and spiritual conflict. Humanity’s position of authority was lost—and with it, peace. Yet even in that moment, God promised redemption. He declared that one day, a descendant would come to crush the serpent’s head for good. That promise pointed to Jesus, who, through the cross, disarmed the powers of darkness and reclaimed the authority that had been stolen in the garden.
Jesus and the Clash with Darkness
Fast-forward a few thousand years from the garden, and we meet the one promised in Genesis 3—the one who would crush the serpent’s head and reclaim all that had been lost. Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus didn’t just talk about evil—he confronted it head-on. One of the clearest themes we see in the Gospels is Jesus exercising authority over demonic forces. He cast out demons, set people free from spiritual oppression, and taught with a power that left people stunned. Confronting evil wasn’t a side note in his ministry—it was central to it.
One story that highlights this comes early in Mark’s Gospel. In Mark 1:21–28, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue when a man, possessed by an evil spirit, suddenly cries out. This wasn’t just a random outburst—it was a challenge. In the first-century world, to name someone publicly was an attempt to assert power over them. The demon calls Jesus “the Holy One of God” and mocks him as “Jesus of Nazareth,” using his full name and hometown to try and discredit him. But Jesus isn’t fazed. He responds swiftly and decisively: “Be quiet! Come out of him!” And just like that, the demon obeys.
This moment wasn’t an isolated event. It was the beginning of a pattern—Jesus repeatedly demonstrated his authority over evil. Time and time again, demons fled at his command. The people watching were amazed, not just by what he taught, but by the power behind it. The authority of Jesus was undeniable. And his ultimate act of triumph over evil came at the cross, where he took what looked like defeat and turned it into cosmic victory, disarming the powers of darkness once and for all.
Why Don’t We Walk in This Authority?
If Jesus regularly confronted evil and exercised authority over demonic forces—and if we, the Church, are truly his body in the world today—then why doesn’t that same kind of authority seem to define our ministry now? Why does it feel rare, even strange, to talk about this kind of spiritual authority in everyday church life?
One common answer is, “Well, we’re not Jesus.” And that’s true—Jesus is God, and we are not. His signs and miracles uniquely confirmed his identity as the Messiah. But that’s not the whole story. Because according to Scripture, Jesus has given his followers access to that very same power and authority—through his Spirit.
After his resurrection, Jesus didn’t just say goodbye. He gave his disciples a mission, and with it, a promise. In Mark 16, he said that those who believe in him will cast out demons in his name. In Matthew’s version of that same moment, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go…” The authority that was once lost in Eden, Jesus reclaimed at the cross—and then entrusted it to his people. Not just the early disciples, but all who believe.
This means that if you are in Christ—if you’ve surrendered to him and are filled with the Holy Spirit—then you’ve already been equipped for spiritual battle. You already have everything you need to stand against the enemy. Not because of anything special you’ve done. Not because of your perfect prayers or vast biblical knowledge. But because of Jesus—because of his finished work on the cross and the Spirit he’s placed in you.
Like a police officer wearing a badge or a crossing guard holding a stop sign, your authority doesn’t come from your own strength—it comes from the one who commissioned you. And in Christ, by the Spirit, you have been vested with real authority over the enemy. Just as the demons listened to Jesus, they must listen to those who stand in his name.
Walking in Authority: How We Pray
So what does all this mean for us—right here, right now? If we’ve been given the authority of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, how do we begin to live into that reality? What can we actually do?
Here are three simple, powerful ways to start—three prayers we can begin to pray as we learn to walk in the authority Jesus has given us.
- Pray for Discernment
Not everything that looks “natural” is. Scripture is clear that there is a spiritual realm—one that often intersects with our everyday lives. So we ask the Spirit to help us see clearly. Is there more going on beneath the surface? Is this a moment where the enemy is at work? We need discernment to recognize spiritual attack, to distinguish between the enemy’s voice and God’s, and to respond with wisdom and grace. - Pray for Protection
The enemy seeks to divide, deceive, and destroy. So we pray for God’s covering—over our families, our church, our city, and our nation. We ask for protection from schemes we can’t see, and for the Spirit to guard our hearts, minds, and relationships. Spiritual warfare is real, but so is God’s protection. And prayer is how we actively invite that protection into every part of our lives. - Pray with Boldness
We don’t pray from fear—we pray from victory. We don’t have to be timid or unsure. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we’re standing in his authority. So we ask boldly. We speak truth over lies. We command darkness to flee—not because of our own power, but because of the power of the risen Christ living in us. The Spirit gives us courage to stand, to speak, and to believe that the same authority Jesus exercised is now at work in us.
You Have What You Need
This battle we’re in isn’t new. It began in the garden, was confronted at the cross, and continues today. But the good news is: in Jesus, we have everything we need. Allegiance to our King. The truth of his Word. And the power of the Holy Spirit. All three legs of the stool. All necessary. All available.
So we stand—not in fear, but in faith.
Not in our strength, but in his.
And we pray with confidence, knowing we’ve been given real authority in Christ.
