12 Scriptures on Power and Authority

We live in a community that is chock full of wildlife. Foxes, a plethora of deer, a variety of birds, and a groundhog. Thank God we have seen zero raccoons and no bears.

However, with that said, it was no surprise that one late afternoon, my son saw a snake. I sent him to take the trash bins to the curb for pickup day. He went around to the side of the house, and in less than what seemed like only sixty seconds, he made it back to the front door before I could even open it.

I asked him why he didn’t take the bin to the curb, and he responded, “There’s a snake over there”. The look on his face was classic. It was as if he saw the snake and immediately turned around saying “Not today Satan”!

I had to make a decision. Do I forgo trash day? Or do I go to see what made him turn back around?

Feeling like Bone Crusher, who “ain’t never scared“, I decided to go. Or maybe I was more like Isaiah, who told God to send him.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking:
Who will I send? Who will go for us?
I said:
Here I am. Send me.
Isaiah 6:8

Either way, I went, and my son and daughter followed behind me.

As I walked down the concrete path, I could see the serpent from a distance. Slowly getting closer in proximity, I noticed that it wasn’t moving. I know how common it can be to see garter snakes in a yard, but this was the first time I had seen one in ours.

I stopped about five feet away from it to see if it would do anything. The more I observed it from a distance, the more it resembled a rubber snake. It didn’t move, slither, hiss, or anything else characteristic of a real snake. I moved closer still but stepped about eight feet out to go around it.

I was under the impression, that if I began to walk, it would show signs of life. But it still didn’t budge. I made it safely to the trash bin, grabbed the handle, and aggressively rolled it over the snake back and forth. I did this multiple times confirming what I already believed to be true. It was dead! In fact, before I rolled over it, I noticed from my aerial view, that its head looked as if it had been smashed.

Confident that the snake had already been destroyed, I stooped down to take a closer look, and his head was unquestionably damaged. I’m not sure what brought the snake to his demise, but it was apparent, that whatever attacked it, knew that striking his head would be his end.

Now, you already know, that this reminded me of the goodness of God and his word. Even though man fell prey to sin after being deceived by the serpent, God graciously rendered the authority to Eve’s offspring to strike its head (Genesis 3:15).

God constantly reminds us in his word, “be not afraid” (Isaiah 41:10). But instead, walk in the power of authority given by the one and only true God (Jeremiah 10:10).

As you walk through your faith journey, remember that you have been given authority by the most high God. The enemy has nothing on you and the Bible reminds us of that time and again.

Scriptures on Power and Authority

Here are 12 scriptures on power and authority to store in your spirit* :

I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
Genesis 3:15

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
Psalm 8:6

See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.
Jeremiah 1:10

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
Matthew 9:6

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18

they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.
Mark 16:18

Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you.
Luke 10:19

But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear!
Luke 12:5 

since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him.
John 17:2

Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. ² So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
Ephesians 1:19

and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Colossians 2:10   

Reflecting Beyond the World

In what ways has the enemy attempted to deceive you?

Prayer

God, give me the wisdom to recognize the enemy’s deception. Help me to walk in the power and authority that you have given me through Christ Jesus, Amen.

*Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.