We have been studying the importance of being human, and we've discovered how powerful we truly are—yet many of us have been deceived into thinking, “We are only human.” When God created man in His own image, He declared that humanity was to have dominion over the earth and to multiply (Genesis 1:26–28, NKJV: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion…”). If we truly grasp the significance of dominion and multiplication, we will begin to understand our God-given authority—even to speak to mountains and command them to move through faith (Mark 11:23, KJV: “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed... and shall not doubt in his heart... he shall have whatsoever he saith.”).
Satan, once a glorious archangel, lost his royal standing in God’s presence when pride overtook him, and he sought to elevate himself to equality with God (Isaiah 14:12–14, ESV). When God created mankind in His own image and gave humans authority on earth, Satan became enraged and jealous. This new creation—man—was given a higher place than the angels, who were now assigned to serve and minister to those inheriting salvation (Hebrews 1:14, NIV: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”). Humiliated by this divine plan, Satan plotted to reclaim control by tempting man, who had free will, to surrender his authority—thus came “The Fall of Man” (Genesis 3).
What many don't fully realize is that Jesus had to relinquish His heavenly position and come to earth in human form, because only a human could restore what was lost (Philippians 2:6–8, NLT: “Though he was God… he gave up his divine privileges… and appeared in human form.”). Only by becoming fully human could Jesus reestablish mankind’s rightful authority and redeem dominion on earth.
Jesus then reissued that authority to us and commissioned us to destroy the works of the devil, heal the sick, and set the captives free (Luke 10:19, NKJV: “Behold, I give you authority... over all the power of the enemy”; 1 John 3:8, NKJV: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil”; Matthew 10:8, NIV: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.”).
Let us all encourage each other to fulfill the “Great Commission”, destroy the works of the devil, set the captives free, love our neighbors and hate evil all in the Name of Jesus.
