SOUNDING OUT:
Exercise Your Authority

  There is a beautiful benediction toward the end of Romans that I love.

  This verse reminds me of what happened when the seventy “got busy” operating the power of God. They returned from the mission on which Jesus had sent them with joy. They had successfully operated the power of God and were thrilled to be able to bring deliverance in the name of Jesus Christ. The same excitement is experienced today as people use the authority God has given them in the name of Jesus Christ.

  “Saying” in verse 17 is the Greek word legõ. It means to say with emphasis upon the subject matter of that which is spoken. They gathered their thoughts and spoke from the understanding they had gained from their adventure of deliverance. Their report was that “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” The Greek grammatical construction here [plural noun with singular verb] shows that “devils” is used as a collective noun referring to the entire devil spirit realm. This implies that they realized that not just the devils spirits they encountered were subject unto them, but the entire evil spirit realm was. “Subject” means “subdued under” or “set in proper order under.” God has properly arranged that devil spirits are subject to us in the name of Jesus Christ. As we believe this and act with our God-given authority, we too will come to the same understanding.

  “Through [in] Thy name” in verse seventeen is not the same power of attorney we operate today. The standard of the power of attorney we operate today is spoken of in Ephesians 1:19-23 and required the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ before it became available on Pentecost in Acts 2. What is referred to here in Luke 10 is the oriental custom of calling upon someone’s name. [Examples of the orientalism of calling on the authority of one’s name can be found in II Chronicles 14:11; Psalms 20:1,5,7; 44:4,8.] Jesus’ instruction on the power of attorney (John 14:12-29; 15:16; 16:23-26) clearly notes that the ascension was first required (John 14:12) and that it was still future. The last instruction Jesus gave them regarding the power of attorney was after the last supper.

  The joy they had experienced previously would be bettered and made full when this future reality came to pass. Since Matthew 7:22; Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49; & 10:17 occurred before John 16:24, Whatever “in thy name” meant before Pentecost was different from the power of attorney he was telling them they would receive “at that day” (John 14:20; 16:26). We have so much more available to us now. Well, Hallelujah!! Let’s use it.

  Look at Jesus’ response to their excited declaration.

  Jesus beheld what had happened from a position of privilege. As God’s only begotten son who had sent them on assignment, he was privileged to see what transpired. Jesus saw Satan working indirectly through the system of the world fall as lightening, quickly and dramatically. [Compare Isaiah 34:4 and Revelation 6:13] “Fall” is the Greek word piptõ. There is one particular usage [according to Moulton] of piptõ which means “to fail or become null and void” as in Luke 16:17. Thayer also comments that piptõ can also mean “to lose authority, to no longer have force. ”Satan “falling from heaven” would carry the idea of “losing authority or effectiveness.” [Compare Isaiah 14:12; 34:4; Daniel 8:10; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:25; Revelation 6:13; 8:10; 9:1.]

  The seventy went out and destroyed the works of the devil. The systems of the world that Satan had designed to keep people in bondage were no longer effective. Satan’s authority was subdued to the seventy quickly and dramatically. Jesus spoke verse 19 to clarify verse 18; he elaborated:

  “Behold” is he figure of speech asterismos, to call attention to and emphasize this statement. Jesus had given them the authority; it was their right to claim it or exercise it. “Tread on” implies complete victory over. [Compare Joshua 10:24; Psalms 91:13; Romans 16:20.] This does not refer to accidentally coming across a snake like in Mark 16:18 or Acts 28:3. This refers to the mind-set and determination to walk so as to destroy the works of the devil. It refers to the offensive and aggressive action we decide to take when we determine where we want to go and walk out on God’s Word. “Serpents and scorpions” is the figure of speech hypocatastasis. It’s a representation of devil spirits. “serpent” is used to emphasize stealth and enmity, and “scorpion” is used to emphasize intimidation or threatening and hardship. The serpent fights with poison from concealment, and its silent and mysterious gliding movements strengthen the impression of malice and subtlety. [See Genesis 3:1,13,14; 49:17; Numbers 21:6; Proverbs 30:19; Ecclesiastes 10:8,11; Amos 5:19; Matthew 10:16; II Corinthians 11:3.] The scorpion is treated with aversion for the hardship and torment of its sting. [See I Kings 12:11,14; II Chronicles 10:11,14; Ezekiel 2:6; Revelation 9:5, 10.]

  “Over all the power of the enemy:” We have authority over all the potential or inherent power of the enemy, the devil or Satan. The underlying emphasis of this word enemy is the hostility that exists. “And nothing shall by any means hurt you:” Nothing goes beyond the imagery of the serpents, scorpions, and enemy. It means absolutely nothing. We are protected as we walk out on God’s Word.

  We are not to wait for the power or authority to be given. It already has been. Instead we must exercise what is already ours. If you want to see Satan crushed beneath your feet (Romans 16:20) start walking. The devil tries to leave a wake of destruction; it's up to you and I to destroy his works and leave a wake of goodness, deliverance, and praise to God.

  There’s one final point to mention. Jesus said:

  It is not seeing the results that should cause such joy. It is the awareness of our position in Christ; we are sons of God, that should cause such rejoicing. When we rejoice in whom God has made us to be, and walk like it, we too will see and understand how simple it is to exercise our authority with joy and peace in believing.