A great many people today don’t understand authority, and how it works. Many confuse authority with power and don’t understand the relationship between the two.
Sadly, a great many Christians don’t really understand these either.
It’s is a huge problem because relatively few churches teach people the authority Jesus gives each of us as believers in Him. This lack of clarity makes it far more difficult to resist the devil because believers end up waiting for God to do things that He’s given them the authority to do themselves, in Christ.
Upsetting People
Even saying that may upset some folks, perhaps because they might see it as somehow attempting to diminish God. But that’s not it at all.
Unfortunately, many Christians buy into an extreme sovereignty of God theology that says God is in control. That theology causes confusion about what the Bible reveals about authority in the Kingdom of God.
Misunderstanding Authority
I think the problem is that far too many people, especially many Christians, don’t really understand authority. In particular they miss the boat on delegation of authority and how that really works.
Often this problems starts with the leadership of the church, the pastor, preacher, priest, whatever. Far too many are controlling and afraid to delegate authority and empower other leaders in their congregations to lead.
And when the leadership doesn’t model delegation of authority is it any wonder that those who follow that leadership don’t get it?
Even though you can delegate your authority you still retain your accountability.
