Spiritual Authority
Q: What creates spiritual authority?
In an age where we are over-saturated with social media and religious information, how do we cut through the noise to discern what is truly valuable? How do we find the “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:45) in the endless fields of digital monotony and talking heads?
A downside of the social media age is that everyone can become an “expert” of sorts simply by taking to a platform, talking loudly enough, and throwing money at marketing efforts. My social media feeds are saturated with Bible verses, dogma, and religious opinions. When I ask those outside of faith what they think when they see what I see on their own feeds, they usually shrug.
Remember that song from when you were a kid- There’s a Fountain Flowing Deep and Wide? Today, the Christian faith is wide but I wouldn’t call it deep. We need more depth. The love and knowledge of Christ is wide and long, but also deep (Ephesians 3:18-19).
The life and ministry of Jesus give us clues as to what generates true spiritual authority. Spiritual authority is heavenly power in words and actions. Jesus said, “the words I speak to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:33), implying that there is a divine force operating in and through His human words.
I love these verses:
“The people were amazed at [Jesus’] teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” Mark 1:22 (NIV)
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29 (NIV)
Jesus’ teaching transcended the religious status quo to captivate the people. We have to imagine that, like us, ancient Israel was saturated with religious information and dogma. As in our day and age, religion was simply part of the culture. Even the unrighteous and unfaithful would have familiarity with Jewish law and would be use to hearing about it often.
Where did Jesus’ authority come from? Aside from the power of His divine nature, Jesus made His human nature spiritually strong through His temptations in the wilderness. By winning these temptations, Christ’s humanity was prepared for the authoritative work of presenting the gospel in both word and deed (Luke 24:19). After the sacrifice of the cross and the resurrection, Jesus said that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). It is in sacrificing our lives to God in body, mind, and spirit that we grow in His power.
A certain progressive authority is granted to us from heaven as we face temptations and trials, devote our energies to God, and grow in the Holy Spirit. Spiritual strength comes from building spiritual muscle. We build spiritual muscle as we face temptations, sacrifice our lives to the will of God, and overcome with the help of Christ.
Have you ever been captivated by a teacher or teaching that, on the outside, seemed so simple but left you forever changed? This teacher was probably teaching from the authority that came them winning unseen battles. What made the difference was the quality of the person’s spirit. The words of a person with a strong and pure spirit carry more spiritual power.
The religious teachers of Jesus knew the information about God. They knew the Bible verses and doctrines. This was not the same thing as experiencing the life of God.
“You (the religious) study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life (the life of God). These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me.” John 5:39 (NIV)
Spiritually authority is something that is felt. We all recognize it when we are around it. Another word for it is the “anointing.” It comes at a price - the handing over of our lives to do the will of God and victory in the face of spiritual battles.
I think all of us need be slower to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19), especially on social media. Teaching to gain followers or influence may get the message of Christ out there, but doesn’t do much to encourage depth or maturity in Church and beyond (Phillipians 1:18).
We can all make efforts to grow in Christian maturity by submitting ourselves to God’s process in us. When the time is right, He will provide the opportunity for us to share from our own experiences - with the authority that comes from victory and maturity.
