After Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, his listeners sat in awe. Scripture says, “The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). The Greek word for authority in this verse means “with mastery, power, as one in control.” Jesus’ listeners were saying, in essence, “This man speaks as if he knows what he is talking about.”
Note, the verse does not say that Christ spoke “with authority” but rather “as one having authority.” It is one thing to speak with what we think of as authority — in loud, boisterous tones — but quite another to speak with spiritual authority.
The authority Jesus wielded shook up the entire religious system. Jewish leaders kept coming to him demanding, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23). But Jesus knew he didn’t have to answer the devil’s questions.
If ever the church of Jesus Christ needed his power and authority, the time is now. The devil has brought his own false Christs into God’s house — weak, godless preachers who speak as angels of light and turn churches into feel-good comfort zones where sin is never mentioned and people’s consciences are dulled. As a result, the church is filled with hurting, withered people who do not know how to challenge Satan’s invasion into their lives.
When the disciples were helpless against the enemy, Jesus told them that power over Satan came only by prayer and fasting. Why is this so? I believe it is because the Lord wants time to work on our inner man. He wants our hearts completely attuned to him.
Beloved, righteousness is believing that what God says is true and then committing your life to it. It’s that simple. As you learn to grow in your hidden man and trust his word to you in every crisis, you will be given all spiritual authority.