What authority do I have when confronting evil?

Romans 8:15-17You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

One of the tricks of evil is to blind us to our identity as children of God. Through faith in Christ, we are children of the King of the universe. Like a crown prince or princess, we can stand with authority against any threat on the kingdom.

Matthew 10:1Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

Matthew 28:18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

Our authority in Christ Jesus not only helps us defend ourselves against temptation and evil, it gives us the power to take the offensive and overcome evil with good.