AUTHORITY

March 24

AUTHORITY

Behold, I give unto you power [authority] to tread on serpents

and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing

shall by any means hurt you. — LUKE 10:19

The Greek word “exousia” means authority. However, it is

often translated as “power” in the King James Version of the

New Testament. In our text, for example, two different Greek

words are translated as “power,” yet the correct translation of

the first word is “authority.” Our verse should read, “I give you

authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the

power of the enemy . . . .”

What is the difference between power and authority?

Well, what can one uniformed police officer do to direct the

flow of rush hour traffic? He can do a great deal. Is it because

the policeman has the power to hold back these mighty

machines? No! His most strenuous efforts couldn’t stop the

swiftly passing cars. He doesn’t have the power to do it, but he

has something far better. He is invested with the authority of

the government he serves. Even a stranger in the city

recognizes this authority and obeys it.

Authority is delegated power.

Confession:

I have been given authority to tread on serpents and

scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by

any means hurt me.