I Give You Authority--Unseen Influences

There are numerous references in the Bible to the Holy Spirit, angels, the devil and demons. Jesus gave the original 12 disciples and 70 other disciples authority over the devil, all demons and all disease and sent them out. When they returned, they were not scared. They were excited that the devil and diseases were subject to them as a representative of Jesus. Satan is not the evil opposite of God. He is not the big-shot he portrays himself to be. He is a fallen angel, stripped of all authority by Jesus. All principalities and powers have been put under our feet (Ephesians 1:20-23). Any thing that is depressive, deceptive, defeating, leading to loss--these thoughts and suggestions are from the devil, but when we resist him--he has to run from us (James 4:7). It is possible for Christians and even church leaders to yield to wrong spirits. One of the most important things for Christians to learn is what to yield to--and what to resist.