Spiritual Authority and Discernment

Hi Friends,

I hope you are all well, and are walking with God in the fullness of the Spirit.  Today I am sharing about a statement made at a recent Christian conference.  The Lord also gave me a five part vision regarding the teaching. There is so much to share, I hope to speak of the visions in my next post. This is truly important so please read. We need to understand the Word of God so that we can discern what is God’s will regarding teachings like this.

At this conference the speaker was speaking about spiritual authority, and who we are in Christ.  But rather than stating the familiar scriptures that are generally used to teach on this topic, a more obscure scripture was introduced.  And what was stated raised a few eyebrows. Let me share this passage with you.

In a heated exchange with the Pharisees, Jesus was accused of making a blasphemous statement regarding his identity, for he had called himself the Son of God.

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’?  If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—  what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? John 10:31-36

The conference speaker used the above passage to reveal what he believed was our true identity. He wanted us to see that our spiritual authority resides in the fact that God calls us “gods.” The speaker believed that the Lord had given him this revelation that we are gods, so that we might appreciate the authority that we have, and the empowerment to take on the powers, principalities and entities of darkness that would seek to hinder the church.

However, I see spiritual authority is not simply a matter of position and title. In the story of the Seven Sons of Sceva, we see what happens when there is a failure to carry true spiritual authority.

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,  so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”  Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:11-16

The seven sons of Sceva were using the name of Jesus and had some success up to this point. But authority over greater demons relies on having a sincere relationship with the Lord and an intimate walk with him, that comes from spending time with Jesus in prayer and in his word.

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

It is not our identity as “gods” that suddenly gives us spiritual authority. For Jesus never taught such a notion. He was merely using the scripture above to validate his identity. He chose an Old Testament psalm with which the Pharisees were familiar. The passage of scripture that Jesus quoted is found in Psalm 82.  Here is the passage with its context:

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

“I said, ‘You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die,  and fall like any prince.’”

Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! Psalm 82:1-8

 In this passage, the word “gods” is the Hebrew word “Elohim” which means “mighty one.”  Bible Study Tools gives further clarity:

The term "Elohim" means “supreme one” or “mighty one.” It is not only used of the one true God but is also used on occasion to refer to human rulers, judges, and even angels. If you saw one exhibiting supreme rule and expressed mighty power, the word you would use would be Elohim. That does not necessarily mean that you are referring to the one unique God. But even as one comes to understand Yahweh, you might still grab hold of this particular word, Elohim, in order to emphasize God’s power and might.

Psalm 82 describes the Lord God in an assembly of “mighty ones.”  These mighty ones, either men, angels, or gods/demons are those to whom the Lord is bringing rebuke and correction for the judgments they have rendered.

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” Psalm 82:2

Verse 6 is the line that the Lord quotes:

“I said, ‘You are elohim (gods, mighty ones, supreme ones), sons of the Most High, all of you.”  Psalm 82:6

By this statement, God is equating the mighty, the gods, the elohim as sons of God.  

Jesus used this psalm and verse 6 to show that if God Almighty called these angels, men, and other gods/demons “gods” and “sons of God,” then He, the true Son of God, was speaking in alignment with God’s word and not making a blasphemous statement. For he also stated that the Word of God could not be broken or laid aside.

Now, so far there is no problem, unless we are encouraged to consider ourselves or identify ourselves as gods.  However the question arises: Should we actually state and declare with our own mouths that we are gods?  The answer should be emphatically “NO!”

We have been given spiritual authority not because we are gods, but because of our relationship to God as his sons and daughters.  Paul speaks of our relationship to God in his letter to the Romans.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.  Romans 8:12-17

We have authority not because we are gods who consider ourselves to be superior or mighty ones. If we take this to heart and edify ourselves by affirming that we are gods, then we are likely to become prideful and vulnerable to the same mindset that caused Satan to fall.

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.  I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.   Isaiah 14:12-15     

What happened to Satan was the very thing of which Psalm 82 warns:

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like mortals you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Psalm 82: 6-7 (Berean Standard Bible)

The devil rebelled against God, for he wanted to be worshiped as God himself.  He will suffer a spiritual death as he is thrown into the Lake of Fire which is called “the second death.” (Revelation 20:10 and 20:14) When the desire for notoriety, and self importance overtakes our thoughts, it is very possible for us to do the same.  We can become puffed up with pride, and convinced that we are truly important in the kingdom of God.      

Jesus used Psalm 82 in his defense against blasphemy, when He called himself the “Son of God.”  But we are not to use this psalm to inflate ourselves or prove that because the Lord called angels, men and other super natural beings “gods,” that we are therefore endowed with spiritual authority.  This is a dangerous belief or teaching.  And it is very important that we do not participate as a group or as an individual to speak out or declared it as an affirmation that “We are gods.” The speaker did offer a disclaimer stating that we as “little gods” should not receive worship.

However, I still believe that this is a dangerous teaching for not all will understand the context and purpose behind the Lord quoting this scripture. For us to use this statement as an affirmation to build our confidence, create identity or to somehow qualify or empower us with spiritual authority is not valid and certainly problematic. I believe that it can cause division in the church, confusion in the minds of believers, the questioning of leadership in the church, and opening the doors to new age philosophies as “We are co-creators of the universe.” We cannot afford to have mixture and questionable teaching in the church. We must simply adhere to the teachings of the Bible that are clearly understood and do not cause us to question our faith - what do we really believe?

We have to be careful how we teach and what we teach. Milk is for the new believer, but for the more mature, we can speak of the gifts of the spirit, the laying on of hands and the impartation of the gifts that come with spiritual authority.

Paul was also concerned that the spiritual authority that comes through the impartation of spiritual gifts and the laying on of hands is to be carefully, and prayerfully imparted:

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.  1 Timothy 5:21-22

Paul also thought it unwise to give a new believer a position of authority in the church because of pride.

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6

During the conference, as one might expect, there were a few raised eyebrows when this teaching was introduced. Some people were offended by the encouragement to declare that “We are gods.” I believe that it was not beneficial to those listening. Instead, the scripture tells us that those who teach will be held accountable to a greater degree.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  James 3:1

Now there are other passages in the Bible where there is a similar idea being presented.   In Exodus, we see that the word “Elohim” is used to describe Moses and how he would appear to Pharaoh.  Pharaoh was worshiped by his subjects. He considered himself to be a “god.”  It was The Lord God’s intention to use Moses as his ambassador to display His mighty power through him, and to show Pharaoh that Moses served the one true God. Therefore Moses was to appear as “a god, a mighty one, a supreme one,” one greater than Pharaoh, and serving a God so awesome in power, that nothing could withstand the wrath of God. 

The Lord answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.  Exodus 7:1

Moses was a humble man, and fully submitted to God.  Because of this, the Lord could trust him and use him to display his power and might in signs and wonders, plagues and judgments.  Had he been prideful and thought to himself, “I am a god to Pharaoh,” God would have ditched him and found another to take his place.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because:  “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble.”  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  1 Peter 5:5-6 Proverbs 3:34

The devil is also referred to as “the god of this age.”

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

The Apostle Paul also points to the fact that many rulers, both natural and spiritual may consider themselves to be gods, and are worshiped as gods, but there is only one God and Creator:  

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.  1 Corinthians 8:5-6

Even Jesus chose to humble himself before the Father to do his will and to take a lower position, lower than the angels, putting on man’s flesh to die in our place, to pay for the sins of all mankind.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, Philippians 2:6

If the Lord showed true humility and yet moved in the power of God, shouldn’t we follow his lead? Let’s not claim that we are gods, but that by the grace, love and mercy of God, he calls us His sons and daughters!

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

After all there are lessons to be learned. Remember the Fall of Man? What was the devil’s desire? Yes—to be like God. He used his personal weakness to entice Eve with the very same thing: to be like God!

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

And here is another example of what happens when someone accepts the worship of men, knowing they are only human and not a god!

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12:21-23

Josephus, a Jewish historian gives his account of that same event —Herod’s death:

and presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another, (though not for his good,) that he was a god; and they added, "Be thou merciful to us; for although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature." Upon this the king did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. But as he presently afterward looked up, he saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, as it had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain also arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, "I, whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying words you just now said to me; and I, who was by you called immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death … And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life, being in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and in the seventh year of his reign. (Antiquities 19.8.2 - Josephus)

Let us not seek our demise by seeking to be a god. Let us remember that God is King and Lord and Savior. There is no one but Him! He is God and there is no other!

Thus says the Lord, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the Lord of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me. Isaiah 44:6

Let us remember that he gives us authority simply because we are his and he is ours. When we submit to his will and show our love for him by our obedience to his commands, then we will walk in the power of God, not running ahead, not falling behind, but being in step with him .

For “In him we live and move and have our being,” as even some of your own poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring.” Acts 17:28

And because He loves us, we choose to live our lives in surrender to his will, for He is faithful. He is good, and He is God!

Thanks for Reading! Please share with others. Let us bring glory to The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!