Understanding Spiritual Jurisdiction

 

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have the praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."

 Romans 13:1-5

Just as the natural realm is governed by laws and principles, so also is the realm of the spirit. The natural realm is governed, for example, by the law of gravity, the laws of electricity, and the laws of aerodynamics. These laws control functions in the natural, physical realm. In the same way there are laws which govern operations in the realm of the spirit.

Romans 3:27 declares that there is a law of faith. This law of faith governs the use of power in the spirit world. Love is called the "royal law" in James 2:8. In Romans 8:2 we are introduced to the "law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" which supersedes the law of sin and death. These are just a few of the laws which govern the realm of the spirit. Just as failure to recognize and adhere to the natural laws God has designed will always prove to be physically disastrous, so failure to recognize and adhere to the spiritual laws which God has ordained will also prove to be spiritually disastrous.

Let's look briefly at an important spiritual law which governs the operation of all beings in the realm of the spirit and is necessary for grasping the principle of spiritual jurisdiction. This law is called the law of authority.

The Law of Authority

As we read Romans 13:1-5. In verses one and two the word "power" is used several times. This English word "power" is translated from the Greek word "exousia." The word "exousia", however, should be translated "authority." Although authority and power work together, like a hand and glove, they must be recognized as distinct in the realm of spiritual things. Let's replace the word "power" with "authority" and take a more accurate look at Romans 13:1-2:

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher (authorities). For there is no (authority) but of God: the (authorities) that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the (authority), resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

Romans 13:1-2 teaches about a crucial law which not only governs operations in the natural realm, but also governs operations in the realm of the spirit. This law is the law of authority. There is a spiritual law that is ordained by God called the law of authority. This law controls the operation of every spirit-being, and must be recognized and adhered to.

The law of authority was ordained by God. He instituted it and every spiritual being, including ourselves, must cooperate with it. This law of authority is one of the greatest keys to understanding and operating in the realm of the spirit.  Those who have trouble submitting to the law of authority will have a very difficult time being used of God. In recognizing the law of authority we can begin to understand the significance of the principle of spiritual jurisdiction.

 

What is Spiritual Jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction can be defined as "a range of authority." Range means "scope, boundaries, limitations, or distance." Authority means "the right to command, enforce, or intervene in a matter." Jurisdiction, then, means the right to exercise authority within a specific region or territory.

A specific jurisdiction is the range, scope, boundaries or region in which one has the right to command, enforce or intervene in a matter. Now let's expand our definition of jurisdiction to include the realm of the spirit. A spiritual jurisdiction is, "the boundaries within which a spirit being has the right to command, enforce, intervene or exercise power in the realm of the spirit." All spirit beings have a range or region within which they do have the right to exercise and enforce power. Conversely, all spirit beings have boundaries outside which they do not have the right to exercise or enforce power. This is the law of spiritual jurisdiction.

God has a spiritual jurisdiction. Angels have a certain spiritual jurisdiction. Men, both saved and unsaved, have a spiritual jurisdiction. Satan and his demonic cohorts have a certain spiritual jurisdiction. The boundary lines of a specific spiritual jurisdiction may be geographic, as with cities, states, or even nations, but mainly these boundaries pertain to established laws in spiritual matters and spiritual offices. Spiritual Jurisdiction is the law of authority which governs the operation of all beings in the realm of the spirit.

 Recognizing the principle of spiritual jurisdiction is vital in all things pertaining to the believer's life. It has implications concerning our relationship with God, our warfare with the enemy, our authority as believers, and our various calls to ministry. In order to understand your place in spiritual matters and operate in your authority you must understand this principle of spiritual jurisdiction.

Having established the basic definition of Spiritual Jurisdiction, let's focus on how this principle really works.

Three Authorities in One World

 We must understand that there are three spiritual authorities that have rights to operate. These three authorities are God, Satan, and man. Some picture the spirit realm as a crazy, haphazard, unorganized world where it is impossible to predict what is going to happen. That, however, is not true. You see, no kingdom, no system, and no realm can function without levels of authority. There is a law of authority, of rank and order, in the spirit realm. Every being in the spirit realm must operate within the restraints of its boundaries of authority. The realm of the spirit is a highly organized and structured world and is governed by the law of spiritual jurisdiction.

There are boundaries and borders that measure out the extent and limitations of authority of every being in the realm of the spirit. Just as the natural realm has boundaries defining the range of police jurisdiction, so there are boundaries in the spirit realm that outline the range of authority of Satan, of demons and angels, of the believer, of ministerial offices and anointings, and even boundaries God has outlined for Himself that He will not transgress!

In the God-head there is rank and authority. Jesus is submitted to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is submitted to the Father and the Son [I Corinthians 11:3].

God's angels have rank and order. Daniel chapter 10 speaks of chief angels and the higher angels. Michael and Gabriel are examples of such higher angels. In God's kingdom there are cherubim and seraphim and a variety of different angels with different duties and assignments, and different levels of authority. None of them step outside their level of authority or their rank.

Satan's kingdom is also governed by a highly organized and structured system of rank and order [see Ephesians 6:11-13]. The law of authority governs the activities of his demonic forces.

 If you are a student of the Bible you will have already learned that there is rank and order in the Body of Christ. Bless God, we need to act like the army that God is calling us to be. We need to endure hardness, follow orders, submit to those over us in the Lord, and quit breaking rank!

Failure to recognize that God, Satan, and man all have established boundaries within which they have a right to operate and outside of which they do not will keep us from understanding why things happen as they do. We will not know why certain things happen to believers. We will not know who is exercising authority and, therefore, will not know who to resist or when to resist. We will not be able to recognize if God is doing something or if it is the devil. We will not understand when to take spiritual initiative and when to rest in faith. We will not recognize that there are limitations even to God's ability to bless us. We will not understand why our legal authority in Christ seems, at times, to be short-circuited and why Satan seems to be free to exercise his power.

We must recognize the extent and limitations of the boundaries of God's authority. We need to know that outside certain boundaries He cannot bless us. But we must also realize that within certain boundaries He can and will.

We must realize that Satan has certain boundaries within which he can exercise authority. Within certain boundaries he has authority to harass and torment.

As we discover from God's Word, we can step out and stay outside of Satan's boundaries where he and his demons must desist their maneuvers in our lives.

We must also realize that there are boundary lines outside of which we, as believers, cannot exercise our authority. Within specified boundaries, however, we can exercise our rights and reign as kings in this life. Recognizing and operating within these laws of authority is one of the greatest keys to operating effectively in the realm of the spirit.

 There are levels of authority in the realm of the spirit. Every being must operate within the boundaries of their authority. When we understand the law of authority and recognize the important place it has in the realm of the spirit, we will begin to understand the important principle of spiritual jurisdiction.

In the next article, I will explain the jurisdiction of Satan, the jurisdiction of God, and the jurisdiction of the believer. In so doing we will gain great insight and will be filled with spiritual understanding that will greatly increase the effectualness of our Christian walk.