You have more authority than you choose to acknowledge

You’ve Got the Authority—So Use It! Luke 10:19 | 2 Corinthians 10:8

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” – Luke 10:19

“So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.” – 2 Corinthians 10:8

Let’s be real for a moment.

For a while, I let my emotions run the show. I constantly felt sad, isolated, and powerless. My parents would say, “You’re choosing to be sad” or “You can choose to be happy.” But in my mind, they were wrong. It didn’t feel like I had a choice. My emotions felt stronger than I was. My circumstances felt louder than truth. Everything seemed to have more control over my life than I did.

Then something shifted. While reading the book of John, I noticed how often Jesus talked about the authority given to Him by the Father. That hit me.

If I’m made in God’s image, and I’m His child just like Jesus, then I’ve been given authority, too.

And if I’m going to follow Jesus, I’ve got to start walking in that authority. That truth changed everything for me.

Here’s the reality:

Your past doesn’t have authority over you.

Your emotions don’t get the final say.

Your sinful nature? Nope.

Your messed-up situations? Still no.

Fear, danger, darkness, they don’t win.You’ve been given authority. And today, I want to share three key areas where that authority matters:

1. You Have Authority Over How You Respond

Let’s break this down.

First: your emotions. When I was deep in that sadness, I thought I had to surrender to it. But then God showed me I could respond differently. I started choosing joy, literally. I smiled when I didn’t feel like it. I blasted my favorite worship songs. I practiced gratitude. And guess what? It worked. I wasn’t powerless after all.

Second: how you treat others. I’ve been hurt. We all have. And sometimes I wanted to be petty in return. But God reminded me: I have the authority to choose grace. I’m not a puppet controlled by the pain someone else caused. Neither are you.

You don’t have to react out of emotion. You get to respond with intention.

2. You Have Authority Over How You Live

Don’t let your circumstances write your story.

So many people live small, frustrated lives because they believe their situation is the boss of them. They blame their past, their finances, their trauma, or the people around them for every bad choice they make.

But listen: You get to choose how you live.You get to choose a mindset of peace, success, and joy, even when life’s messy. Just make sure the life you’re building lines up with God’s will. When it does, He’ll back you up with strength and provision. God wants you to live a fruitful, thriving life. Believe that.

3. You Have Authority to Say No to Sin

A lot of us think, “Well, I’m human. I’m going to mess up.” And while it’s true that we aren’t perfect, it’s not true that we’re powerless.

Jesus didn’t come just to forgive our sin, He came to show us how to walk in victory over it.

You’ve got authority to walk away from temptation.You’ve got authority to change the environment you’re in. You’ve got authority to shut the door on sin before it ever steps in.

Psalm 91 reminds us: We can trample on lions and serpents. That includes the temptations and lies that try to take us out.

Stop handing your power over to sin. You don’t have to fall. You don’t have to stay stuck. You’ve got authority to rise.

Final Thoughts

Here’s what I want you to know:

You are more than a conqueror. Not because you’re strong, but because God gave you the power to be. So starting today, stop waiting to feel strong and start walking in the authority you already have.

Let’s be soldiers for the Kingdom. Let’s walk bold. Let’s live free.

Talk to you next week, my friend.