Our Authority in Christ: Victory Through the Cross

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30 NIV

The article below is my third in a mini-series on the meaning and implications of Jesus’ final words on the cross—”It is finished”—in our lives as God’s children. I encourage you to read the first article, titled “It is finished: Tetelestai,” and the second one titled Jesus Fulfilled the Law and Gave Us Grace before scrolling down to read this one.

God’s grace surrounds you.

Chizobam

Our Authority in Christ:

Satan’s Authority is Finished

Through His finished work on the cross, Jesus totally, completely, and permanently secured victory over Satan for everyone who believes in Him. When He declared, “It is finished,” on the cross, it signified His irrevocable triumph.

Satan, who was cast out of heaven due to pride-motivated treason, successfully deceived Adam and Eve into sinning against God in Eden (Genesis 3:1-7). God pronounced a judgment against the devil, stating, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). Since then, Satan has waged war against humanity, but ultimately, his enmity was directed toward Christ, whom God referred to as the singular Seed of the woman in His judgment.

God set His plan of redemption in motion. All the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament foreshadowed and pointed toward Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), who shed His blood and gave His life on the cross for our victory.

Know Your Enemy

The Bible provides a comprehensive understanding of Satan’s identity and his agenda against us. He is a thief, murderer, liar, accuser, and deceiver who employs various tactics, including guilt, condemnation, lies, temptation, and oppression, towards his goal of killing, stealing, and destroying humanity. (See Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:44; 10:10; Acts 10:38; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Revelation 12:10; 20:10.)

As 1 Peter 5:8 states, he is our enemy who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Satan is referred to as the god or prince of this world in Scripture, indicating that, for now, he has the legal right to operate in this realm. (See John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4.)

Jesus Permanently and Irrevocably Defeated Satan

However, Jesus has stripped him of his authority over God’s children. Satan bruised Jesus’ heel by causing Him physical pain and suffering, but through His death and resurrection, Jesus bruised Satan’s head and crushed his authority to overcome those who believe in Him.

Colossians 2:13-15 puts it this way:

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

This verse provides several important insights into Jesus’ victory over Satan on our behalf. We have a new life in Christ, and our sins are forgiven. The price for our sins has been paid in full, with the receipt nailed to the cross. Therefore, we are no longer indebted to God and do not need to strive to save ourselves or maintain our salvation through personal efforts. Jesus disarmed Satan of the ability to effectively use sin, guilt, and condemnation as weapons against us.

Jesus’ victory was so definitive and final that He crushed and paraded Satan in a spiritual procession as a vanquished foe. Although he is a defeated foe, Satan will still try his luck. He makes a lot of noise and, as the god of this world, parades himself like a roaring lion, seeking people, including believers, to destroy.

We must be convinced by faith in Scripture that we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, the true Lion of Judah.

Jesus is our Example

While He was physically on Earth, Jesus demonstrated how to overcome the devil’s tactics. When Jesus was tempted three times by the devil in the wilderness, he responded each time with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11).

1 John 3:8 tells us, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” Jesus went around teaching, preaching, healing, casting out demons, and delivering those oppressed by the devil (Matthew 4:23; Acts 10:38). After His disciples had been with Him and learned from Him, He sent them out to do the same. They returned rejoicing because the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17).

Here is Jesus’ response to them:

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20

Just as the spirits submitted to the disciples, demon spirits are also subject to us because Jesus has delegated His authority to us.

5 Bible Verses About Our Authority in Christ

Here are five more Bible references that demonstrate our delegated authority as followers of Jesus to overcome Satan’s attacks by resisting evil, standing firm in spiritual battles, and casting out demons. Through the name of Jesus, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we believers can exercise authority over demonic spirits, as shown in the scriptures below.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.” Mark 16:17
- Jesus promises that believers, in His name, have the power to cast out demons, showing that demon spirits are subject to them through His authority.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20
- Jesus declares that all authority has been given to Him, and He delegates this authority to His followers to carry out the Great Commission, which includes authority over spiritual forces.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
- With our entire armor on, we are to stand firm in faith with full awareness and assurance of the authority we have in Christ to overcome Satan.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
- When believers submit to God and resist the devil, he must flee.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
- Believers are reminded that the Holy Spirit, who dwells within them, is greater than the enemy (Satan and his demons), emphasizing our divine power to overcome demonic forces.

Enforcing Our Authority in Christ

Being a believer doesn’t mean you won’t face attacks; we will all encounter opposition. It doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life, nor does it imply that everything will always unfold according to our timelines and plans. Jesus faced temptation, and the devil hindered Paul’s ministry, so we are not exempt (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

When confronted with opposition, we must recognize that the devil doesn’t hold authority over us or have the final say in our purpose and destiny. Paul continued to share the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit and wrote a significant portion of the New Testament, even after recognizing Satan’s hindrance.

We are to remain discerning of his tactics and resist him by persevering in faith (1 Peter 5:8-9). If he tells you that your faith is not working and the storm continues to rage, don’t shipwreck your faith; instead, keep standing firm.

If Satan oppresses you with insecurity, worry, and fear of the future, do not shrink back, lamenting and complaining in self-pity, believing that you cannot fulfill your purpose. Answer him with God‘s promises and keep moving on in faith in the direction of God’s call for your life.

If he wields guilt from past sins as a weapon against you, respond to him. Remind him that “It is finished,” and therefore, your sins are forgiven, rendering him a powerless foe.

If he condemns you for your failures and inadequacies, pointing out all your weaknesses and shortcomings, remind him that God is not finished with you; you are being transformed into the image of Christ, from one degree of glory to another.

The strength no longer lies in the power of the oppressor. If he oppresses you with sickness or the darkness of addiction, anxiety, or depression, resist him. Respond consistently with the Word, just as Jesus did. Continue standing firm in faith and prayer, and he will flee from you.

Avoid isolating yourself; connect with fellow believers for prayer and community, and always keep your eyes on Jesus.

Conclusion

Because we belong to Christ, we have already triumphed over the enemy. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He declared His victory.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Hallelujah!!!!!!

Reflection Questions:

Has the reality of the victory Jesus secured on the Cross become your everyday reality?
How quickly and consistently do you discern when the enemy begins to fill your mind with his lies?
How quickly and consistently do you demolish Satan’s lies with the Word of God, just as Jesus did?

Footnotes

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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