 The book of Jude, verse 9 says, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." This verse has caused some confusion in the minds of precious Christian people as to what kind of authority they have in speaking to the devil and demon spirits that have afflicted peoples lives. After all, if a powerful angel like Michael says "The Lord rebuke thee" to the devil, shouldn't I do the same thing? Let's examine this!
In Luke 10:19-20, Jesus gave His disciples power and authority over "all the power of the enemy." He also said that the "spirits are subject unto you" in the next verse. James 4:7 tells us "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Hebrews 2:14 says Jesus, through his death and resurrection, paralyzed him who had the power of death, the devil. In Acts 16:18, Paul spoke to the spirit in a woman and told it "in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her" and the spirit left her that same hour. In Mark 16:17, one of the signs Jesus said would follow believers was the casting out of devils in His name. In short, YES, you and I have authority over the devil. That authority obviously comes from God! Then why did the angel Michael say what he said?
We must remember that Adam, the first man, gave his great authority to Satan in the Garden of Eden through sin. He actually conferred on him the title of "god of this world." Even though angels are powerful beings, they can act only on what God's Word says. They hearken to the "voice of his word." (Psalm 103:20) Michael was simply telling Satan what God's orders were, not his own. Michael did not have the authority to act against the devil without permission from God. He would not bring a railing accusation against him simply acting on his own accord. What's interesting is that in 2 Peter 2:11, it says that even though angels are, "greater in power and might," they won't bring a railing accusation against a carnal man either! Why? Because even a carnal man is in a higher class of being than angels. Man is made in the image of God, angels are not. Man is in a higher class spiritually than angels. Angels must respect that position of authority. Satan had taken this authority from man, but Jesus Christ won it back for mankind at Calvary!
Much more can be said but I've gone long enough for now. Yes, we can rebuke the devil without fear as we realize that our authority comes from the Father in the Name of Jesus! Have a great week.
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