Authority in Prayer

I'm reading a book by a guy named Dutch Sheets and something he wrote has been tumbling around in my head for quite a while now. I spliced together several pieces (left out the bible references and other examples for the sake of retyping) and want to give you a chance to read and respond. I'd love to start a discussion so just post your thoughts.

Though many dictionaries and lexicons include “power” in their definitions for authority, strictly speaking, authority and power are not the same. Power is the “strength or force” needed to rule; authority is the “right” to do so. Authority without the power to enforce is meaningless; power exercised without authority- the right to use that power- is usurpation and is morally wrong.

Where God and Satan are concerned, the issue has never been power, including control of the earth. God is all powerful. It is always and only a question of authority. The same is true with us and our struggle against the kingdom of darkness. Satan didn’t gain any power at the fall and didn’t lose any at the cross. His power or ability didn’t change at either event; his authority, or the right to use that power DID. In fact, though Christians often state otherwise, Scripture nowhere says that Christ delivered us from or dealt with Satan’s power at Calvary. He dealt with Satan’s authority.

This is more than a mere technicality. If Jesus stripped Satan of his power, as some teach, then we no longer need to concern ourselves with him- he becomes a nonissue. Or if we Christians has been delivered from Satan’s power, as some teach, then he can no longer affect or control us. We would be able to tgnore him completely, which is precisely what many Christians do.

If on the other hand, Jesus dealt with Satan’s authority- the right to use his power or abilities- then we would need to deal with him as an usurper, a rebel, a thief that has no right to steal, kill or destroy but will if not stopped. If we have been delivered from Satan’s authority and given a higher authority in Christ’s name, then we must exercise that authority over the devil’s works and power. (Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.)