In Luke 10:17-20, the word POWER is used two times, yet the two words are different in the original Greek.
Luke 10:
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power (Strong’s 1849) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (Strong’s 1411) of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Part 1: Exousia - Behold, I give into you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions...
Exousia (1849 power) - privilege, ie force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery (magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence---synonyms in the Bible that carry the same definition - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength
Point 1: The disciples returned to Jesus elated with joy that they, through the name of Jesus, had authority over DEVILS.
Point 2: Jesus’ immediate response deals with Satan falling from heaven. There is a clear relationship/partnership between devils and Satan, himself.
Point 3: Jesus’ next remark to His disciples confirms the power (exousia) He has given to His disciples. He tells them that through His authority/name, they can tread (pateo/trample) on serpents and scorpions. Jesus has not changed the subject at all. Satan, devils, serpents, and scorpions are all synonyms of that which is spawned by evil.
Point 4: Who have these disciples been dealing with and taking authority over? Have they found these devils hidden under rocks out in the desert? No. These serpents, devils, and scorpions are Satanic spirits (verse 20) that are working in and through PEOPLE.
Point 5: The LORD has given authority to His followers to cast out these unclean spirits as they operate within humans.
We can’t overcome by the authority of Jesus Christ if we, as His followers, don’t understand who the enemy truly is and where he is found. Make no mistake, Satan has a bull’s eye on you. By the Holy Spirit’s leading, we better know how to zero in on Satan’s minions when they manifest.
Better yet, we must operate by the authority of Jesus Christ to cast them out and down. We do have authority/power to trample on such demonic spirits. We have power over them. Hallelujah! Like the disciples then, we, too, should be overjoyed at such news of this authority and that our names are written in Heaven!
There are many, many verses in the Bible that use the same Greek form of power (Strong’s 1849). Here are only a few:
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power G1849 against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
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And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power G1849 is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over G1849unclean spirits;
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For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority G1849 to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
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And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority G1849 and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
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But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power G1849 to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
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Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right G1849 to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
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Part 2: DUNAMIS (Strong’s 1411) - force; specifically miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself). Luke 10: 19 Behold, I give unto you power (Strong’s 1849) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (Strong’s 1411- DUNAMIS) of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Point 1: Notice that Jesus says His disciples are given authority over the enemy’s force/miraculous power. Are we seeing this? Are we understanding this? Satan, as described in the Word, also brings signs and wonders with him. (Further reading - Deuteronomy 13:1, 13:2, 13:3, 13:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2:9, 2:10, 2:11, 2:12, and Revelation 13:12, 13:13, 13:14, 13:15). I do not type this to strike fear in readers, but to sincerely and wholeheartedly caution all of us who are followers of Christ. Spirits must be tested by the Word of God. This also includes fasting and prayer to the LORD of Lords.
Point 2: Thankfully, the Lord has given power/authority to His disciples over ALL the power of the enemy -- not authority over some of the enemy’s power, but the Word of God promises command over “ALL the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Hallelujah! By the authority of Jesus Christ, we must faithfully know who God is and the power He has given to His believers.
Point 3: The word DUNAMIS/POWER is also used in a very positive and holy way by the LORD, but just as we would expect from the serpent, Satan certainly seeks to mimic the powers of God in order to confuse and destroy people. He wants to lead every human being astray into some form of sin. Did Satan not try to exert himself to God in the flesh, Jesus? (Luke 4:3, 4:5, 4:6, 4:7, 4:9, 4:10, 4:11)
The Word of God tells us that Satan is full of trickery and deception: Ephesians 6:11.
Beloved, may we operate in the true power (both forms) that God bestows to His followers. He has equipped us with ALL that we need in order to overcome the devil and to endure in the Faith.
May we look to Him. May we look to Him. May we operate in the authority He has given us.
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