3.3.6 Three Levels of Spiritual Authority (Part 1 )

3.3.6 三個層面屬靈權柄（上）

Shared by: Ming

The Interconnection of Secular and Spiritual Authority

Secular and spiritual authority influence each other. When a person holds a leadership position, their actions and choices impact everyone under them. Thus, people with authority must exercise it with extreme caution. The Bible gives many examples of this.

When leaders disobey God, their actions negatively affect their followers. For example, Achan's sin broke Israel's relationship with God. Even today, churches and Christian groups experience stagnation because of leadership engaging in immoral behavior or involvement in New Age movements, astrology, mysticism, etc. These leaders become captives of the enemy, and their influence stunts the group’s spiritual growth. This issue exists not only in evangelical circles but also in Pentecostal communities.

In some cases, Satanists hold high-ranking positions in mega-churches in North America. In other countries, leaders use religious spirits to manipulate and control. The presence of ungodly authority directly impairs spiritual progress.

How Much Spiritual Authority Can We Obtain?

Spiritual authority is based on our relationship with the source of power. If that source is God, our authority depends on the intimacy of our relationship with Him. If it’s Satan, the power one has is linked to the rank of the demon they’re aligned with. The higher the demon's rank, the more “miraculous” powers it can perform. Examples include Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13) and the demon-possessed slave girl in Philippi, who was influenced by a territorial spirit.

This highlights the relationship between spiritual and earthly realms. We’ll now look at the three levels of spiritual authority:

Level 1: Personal Darkness (Individual Level)

Everyone born into the kingdom of darkness is a captive. Ephesians 2:1–3 describes how before knowing Christ, we followed the ways of the world and gratified the desires of the flesh. Our emotions, family, marriage, and career are all areas that can be touched by darkness.

The world influences us like a river current—pulling us along its set path. Following worldly ways activates darkness and sinful desires within us. This battlefield exists primarily in our thoughts and choices.

To overcome personal-level darkness:

1. Self-examination – Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment.

2. Leadership support – Pastors or spiritual mentors help discern and confront dark forces.

3. Healing and deliverance ministers – Anointed individuals can break spiritual yokes through prayer, binding, and rebuking.

However, we often make the mistake of only focusing on personal healing and ignore higher-level dark forces. But the enemy doesn’t play fair—high-level demonic forces spy and attack at every level. Therefore, to invite God’s Kingdom, we must face the powers of darkness on all three levels: personal, territorial, and national.

Level 2: Collective Darkness (Societal/Group Level)

Once personal freedom is attained, we must confront darkness in society and the groups we belong to. Darkness at this level works both in private and public sectors—through family, church, friends, coworkers, and larger communities.

Example 1: A Christian software engineer who worked on the "World of Warcraft" game experienced spiritual attacks on his family after engaging in a project that spiritually aligned with dark forces. After choosing to leave the project, he was transferred, and his life began to improve.

Example 2: A Presbyterian church opened its doors to qigong practitioners. Initially, it seemed harmless, but deeper involvement opened demonic portals. Later, the church rented space to yoga practitioners, inviting the snake spirit tied to yoga. These actions contaminated the church’s spiritual environment and weakened its spiritual condition.

At this level, breaches can allow dark forces to return, stronger than before. The group’s spiritual identity and destiny are crucial. God honors group-level destinies (e.g., Israel), and these covenants are unconditional, unlike conditional personal covenants.

To engage this level effectively:

• Seek God’s calling and walk in group destiny.

• Learn and live God's Word.

• Pray and intercede not just for yourself, but for your group.

Intercessors aligned with God's will can elevate the entire group. Their obedience invites grace not only into their personal lives but also into their families, churches, and workplaces.

Level 3: National Darkness (Kingdom-Level/Global Powers)

This level includes the ruling powers of darkness—spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Overcoming these requires more than personal holiness; it requires strategic spiritual warfare.

Daniel 10 shows a powerful angel delayed 21 days by dark forces until Michael, the archangel, intervened. This illustrates the strength of national-level dark forces—even angels can be blocked.

If a believer fails to progress spiritually, it may be that their angel is held captive and needs assistance. High-level warfare demands unity and divine strategy.

Deuteronomy 32:30 tells us one can chase a thousand, and two can put ten thousand to flight. Unity and alliance are key. Even small groups—2 or 3 people—united in God’s will can accomplish great victories.

Winning the Battle at Every Level

To have God's full backing, we must walk in the destiny He has assigned to us. When we do, His protection and provision follow. The more aligned we are with God’s will, the more authority we have to overcome darkness.

When you step into your God-given destiny:

• Blessings follow naturally.

• God's glory is revealed.

• The enemy cannot invade.

But if we forget our destiny, crises arise until we return to God's path. Overcoming at each level redeems new territory and elevates our spiritual authority.

Spiritual authority is not automatic—it’s given based on obedience and alignment with God’s purposes. If we walk in disobedience, we cannot expect to win battles at any level.

Conclusion:

If you desire victory over darkness—personal, societal, or national—you must step fully into your divine calling. Commit to your God-given destiny, connect with others in Christ, and pursue the fulfillment of His Kingdom purposes. Only then will you walk in true spiritual authority and bring glory to God on every level.