Q1. Usurped Authority

[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

[Travis81]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

All spiritual authority has its basis in God and is received from God

In the Spiritual realm legitimate authority would be godly authority ordained/granted by/of God for godly purpose..

Usurped authority would be to misuse/abuse and to manipulate authority for other than godly purposes.

 

Which kind of authority does Satan have?

Assumed authority - a usurper of God's authority/usurped authority – even though Satan has power (Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4); even though the archangel didn’t rebuke the adversary directly, (Jude 1:9 - Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.). Just as in the Book of Job, Satan is allowed, meaning even though Satan is a usurper of authority, Satan cannot go beyond what God allows.

I like something Jesus said within an answer, John 19:11a -Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:

 

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Satan’s final destination is determined, (Revelation 20:7-10), according to Scripture, however just as humanity continues, Satan is allowed to continue until the appointed time according to the Supreme Commanders authority.

[garymerkel]

Authority:  This is where the sovereignty of God, His omniscience, omnipotence, immutability, and His creation of free will, couple with His love, are intertwined.  God created us to demonstrate and show His love and the only way was to create us in His image and likeness, yet with free will.  All rightful authority is vested in Him.  The angels had free will and Lucifer decided to rebel.  God knew before creation that this would happen, yet how else could He have created mankind if He did so with no free will.  We would be mechanical robots and life would have no meaning.  Pride arose in Lucifer and the sequence of events of usurping authority would lead to his downfall.  The spiritual warfare began.  Only God has the right to "call the shots" because of Who He is.

Satan's authority is a pseudo-authority and we see this played out in nation after nation, even our own.  Since he is the father of lies and a master at lying, he convinces most of mankind that they have the right, the authority to call their own shots and make their own decisions without contemplating their Creator, thus falling for the deceptive trap of the devil's lie.  They are conned into thinking they are "god", though they wouldn't say so, but in action, this is what happens.  Satan's authority is limited, and he manipulates it as no other can.  God sees from eternity past into eternity future and Satan's pseudo-authority will come to an end one day.  In the meantime, as believers, we are to fight the good fight of faith by surrendering to the Holy Spirit and His power.  It is the only way to appropriate the power of God against evil and Satan.

At the cross Jesus took into Himself the consequences of sin, eternity in hell, for us.  He broke the power of sin, death, hell, and Satan.  We do NOT have to give in to the flesh, to temptation, to the devil, yet, when that happens, we have THE Advocate, Jesus Christ, the Righteous to appropriate His victory on the cross and in His resurrection so as we confess our sin, He is able and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We remind Satan of his future in the lake of fire when we live by the power and love of God as we worship, pray, study His Word, witness, and serve...all the while being fully engaged with Christ through the indwelling Spirit.  Fear not, our finalized redemption is secure but will be totally realized and experienced one day.  Hallelujah to the Lamb of Glory!!!

[RD35]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Legitimate authority is authority granted by God.  Usurped authority is not one's own. It means to seize and hold in possession by force or without right of something what you have not legal rights over.

Satan has usurping authority.  Satan has taken what is God's, what is not Satan's own. He is not in submission to God, but a rebel, a usurper of God's authority.

Christ won the decisive battle on the cross (Colossians 2:14-15) and we have power through the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit to claim people for Christ's kingdom.  Nevertheless, whether legitimate or not, Satan is able to exert power until it is taken away from him, usually forcibly.  Satan is a "squatter" on God's property and must be forced off.  He is still in the field fighting a guerilla war. He is a "thief" who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10a) what is God's. He retains power by deception, as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 10:44b).

 

[Nandita]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have?
Legitimate authority is power that has been lawfully given. Usurped authority is power that has been wrongfully seized and exercised. Satan's authority is an example of the latter--he has no claim over us except the cause that we give him.

As children of God we are protected by his power for as long as we accept it. But sometimes we reject God's will and go our own way. We stray out from under his protection, and it is during those moment of spiritual vulnerability that Satan is able to attack us and claim us. At no time did God assign people to Satan—or Satan to people.

 

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?    

Our life on Earth is a journey. Our birth was the starting point and God is our destination. When Jesus defeated Satan, I think he did it at the end of all times—a temporal point in our journey we haven't yet reached. Satan's defeat is assured—it has already happened from an overarching point-of-view. But all the pitfalls he dug along our path, all the traps he laid for us, all the wrong turns he tempts us to take, all the bandits he sends to rob and demoralise us, all the car crashes he uses to weaken us—those still lie on the road ahead of us. 

 

To avail of Jesus' beautiful gift of salvation we need to accept it consciously, with faith and trust, before we reach the end of our journey. This makes avoiding the temptations and traps of Satan crucial because those are the mechanisms by which he erodes—or tries to erode—our trustful relationship with God. 

 

Satan is a dangerous opportunist—but the Holy Spirit is more than a match for him. 

[Uncle Dave]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1)

1.     What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

Legitimate authority is legally binding or, within the law. In the military, if you are assigned legitimate authority over a team or crew then those members are under your command and legally must do what you command them to whether they like it or not. A usurped authority is when you take command of something you don’t have the right to be in control of, like a coup where a government leader is forced out of office by a rebel leader. He has no legal right to be there and is definitely out of the bounds of the law.

2.     Which kind of authority does Satan have?

The authority Satan has is usurped. He is a rebellious leader of evil followers who use intimidation to make people think they are in the right. All authority is fake and akin to stolen valor.

3.     How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

He is dangerous in the way he deceives people and uses fear to intimidate those who won’t follow his evil ways. Like the Bible says, he has teeth and those teeth can come in a multitude of ways. A person could be unjustly imprisoned or robbed of all he holds close. It could be fists mercilessly pounding on an innocent person or even bullets flying. There are many, many ways and different tactics he will use against those he declares as his enemies.

[haar]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1)

Q. What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

A. Legitimate authority is that obtained legally while usurped authority is that taken dubiously by deception or force

Q. Which kind of authority does Satan have?

A. Usurped authority.

Q. How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

A. Satan's authority was wrestled out of his hand on the cross but he still goes about deceiving and luring innocent people to steal, kill and destroy. The Good news is that we can resist him by our faith in God through Christ as we also take up and put on the full armour of God.

Edited October 28, 2019 by haar
to colour last answer that was not in colour before

[Queen Mc Daniel]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

Legitimate authority (is what God grants), come from God according to “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”   For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods”. Psalm 24:1. But usurped authority is a counterfeiter, “to seize and hold in possession by force or without right.” 2 Corinthian 4:4 refers to the god of this world that is blinding the minds of people…lest the light of the gospel of Christ…should shine unto them.

 Which kind of authority does Satan have?

usurped

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)? Please note; could not find John 10:44
Not can be defeated, but already is defeated because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin. scripture tells us that Christ spoiled principalities and power, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. However. We know that he is a thief, here to steal, kill and destroy.

[JanMary]

On 8/28/2019 at 10:56 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

1. Legitimate authority is that which is given by the only one who has the power to legally bequeathe the authority. Usurped authority is that which  is fraudulently obtained, much like trying to gain access with a faked passport or trying to make a purchase with counterfeit money.. It looks like the real thing until in the presence of the true Authority. (When I was a new bank employee we learned to detect the counterfeit by being well acquainted with real money)

2. Satan has usurped authority....with Adam's fall in the Garden, the authority over the earth was given over to Satan, who ruled with wickedness until Jesus death on the Cross "bought it back"  and has now given true authority to the sons and daughters of God, in Jesus' Name, as though He is speaking.

3. Satan's defeat was permanent, and he has been "declawed and defanged"...he knows it and the Word of God declares it, however he still roams around and roars through his loud megaphone to intimidate and frighten believers who are ignorant that he no longer has any power over them. He is a deceiver who has also authored countless cults and false religions in his war against God,  to ensnare millions into believing  they are going to Heaven by following the tenets of their "faith".  He hounds and harasses and deceives believers, until he is resisted and he has to flee.

One of his most often believed lies which enslaves many believers is "God helps those who help themselves" whereas the truth is God helps those who can't help themselves...who depend upon God through a surrendered life to Him.

 

[jesus]

(2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) Legitimate authority is when one has a legal right  or clam over another and is his own authority.. Usurping authority is not one's , rather taking authority by force. The authority satan has is usurped authority which is not his own. satan has taken what is God's what is not his own.He is not in submission to God,but a rebel, a usurper of God's authority.Only God has legitimate authority over us as He has rescued us from darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. 

Colossians 2:14-15 satan can be defeated at the cross because Christ has won the decisive battle on the cross and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to claim people for Christ's kingdom.

satan can be still dangerous because he  is still in the field fighting a guerrilla war. According to John 10:10a  he is a thief who comes to steal ,kill and destroy what is God's. He retains power by deception as a liar and the father of lies (John 10:44b). Peter also warns us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 that he is a roaring lion who is dangerous and we must take the battle seriously. 

[Preistina11]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Legitimate authority is when you take something which is yours .Usurped authority is when you still take something knowing very well it is not yours.

Which kind of authority does Satan have? The usurped authority.

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)? Satan still is dangerous when we do not take him seriously, when we are not alert, when we think it is we who have to run from him when it is the other way round. This is when he gets to be dangerous even though he knows that he has already been defeated at the cross. When we totally submit ourselves to our Father in heaven we can resist and weaken his hold on us.

[lighthouse2014]

On 8/28/2019 at 12:56 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Usurped authority means to seize and hold in possession by force or without right. Satan grabbed this authority when he deceived Adam and Eva in the garden. Adam and Eve were to be care takers of the garden but instead disobeyed God and gave into Satan's lies instead. Legitimate authority means to have authority given legally to the one which it belongs. The heavens, earth and man were created by the Lord, it was his creation. 

Satan has usurped authority over the earth, because of his deception of Adam and Eve.

Satan was defeated at the cross because Christ shed his blood and died on the cross and rose again on the third day. His blood has been the sacrifice for our sins. Faith in what Christ has done redeems us from the penalty of our sins. Though Satan has been defeated at the cross he still roams about like a lion to see whom he may devour, it is necessary that we put on the amour of Christ to wield off his attacks on us.              

[Lottie]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Legitimate authority is when someone has a legal right to something. It is his own and he has a right to lay claim to his own property. Usurped authority is when you take something by force from someone else. It is not yours but theirs and you have stolen it from them.

Satan has usurped authority that he takes from us when we do not legally claim what is ours through faith;.

Satan was defeated but he still is a t war with us and he waits like a roaring lion to devour us. We must be on our guard and have our armor on to defeat him. We must resist him and he will flee.

[rosegarden]

On 8/28/2019 at 1:56 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

a. Adam and Eve had legitimate authority given to them by God but when they sinned and disobeyed God, Satan usurped that authority from Adam and Eve. We now being reconciled to God through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and being His sons and daughters have had that authority restored to us.

b. Satan has usurped authority.

c. Because at the cross Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them by His precious blood, died, buried, resurrected and ascended to Heaven.

d. We need to stay in the Word, put on the whole armor of God, and know who we are In Christ, because the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, but we are to submit ourselves to God and by using our authority in Christ, resist the devil and he will flee.

[Godswriter]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Authority when it comes right down to it given by God and when it came to Adam and Eve they had it from God however Satan usurped it by lying to them telling them they could be like God through eating the fruit on the tree. 

Legitimate authority is authority that is given by the Lord. That is not from the devil who is the enemy for he is a poor imitation. Usurped authority is authority that is overthrown by someone that is not legally allowed to have authority. Satan has usurped authority for he is a usurper. He can be defeated at the cross through us daily submitting ourselves to God also realizing that we can't usurp God's authority. 

[hanks]

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) 
What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? 
Which kind of authority does Satan have? 
How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)? 
Because He is God and Creator of the universes, God has sovereignty and dominion over all things. And, as the Creator, He has legitimate authority over man and all of creation. All other authority is solely derived from God the Father – the authority revealed in Jesus Christ the Son, and the authority manifested by the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 45:18 we read: “For this is what the LORD says - He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited - He says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other”. Here, He reveals Himself in truth and righteousness as the absolute and supreme God. Usurped authority is to take possession and control, usually by force, without any legitimate authority. 
Clearly, Satan was not given any authority and God has allowed Satan significant amounts of power and influence over the earth, at least for now, and always within God’s sovereign control. Anyone who is not under the control of the sovereign God is under the control of the devil (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4)”. Satan is the power at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God (Ephesians 2:2). “In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2)”. They follow the ways of the world which is deceit, immorality, ungodliness, selfishness, violence, and rebellion. Being led around by Satan, the chief ruler of evil spirits, whose realm is the atmosphere. “The LORD has kept the heavens for himself, but he has given the earth to us humans (Psalm 115:16)”. The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind. The heavens were the Lord's, but God gave the earth to man. But man blew it and gave it to Satan. And Satan now possesses the earth. But Jesus came to redeem the earth back to God, and before long He's going to take and claim that which He purchased. And I can hardly wait. But, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God’s perfect wrath and justice will be satisfied, and His perfect righteousness will be glorified. In the end, we will understand, and we will see His plan fulfilled, and we will praise and glorify Him as we see it unfold. “The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand (Isaiah 14:24)”. By His death on the Cross, His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension, the Lord Jesus conquered evil powers, making a public spectacle of them, and triumphing over them (Col 2:15). We have nothing to fear if we are in Christ, because He has disarmed principalities and powers. Born-again Christians are no longer enslaved to Satan or to sin (Romans 6:6-7), but this does not mean we are immune to the temptations that he puts before us. We should not worry about his evil schemes, but this does not mean we should not be vigilant. Satan is a powerful adversary, so there must be a constant vigilance and preparedness to meet every attack. Remembering that Satan sometimes he disguises himself as an angel of light, attempting to deceive people in the spiritual realm. On our own, we do not have the strength to oppose him - it is here that we have to be firm in our faith and resist him. 
 

[blezed]

What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

Legitimate authority is when authority is given legally.  Usurped authority is to seize and hold in possession by force or without right.

Which kind of authority does Satan have?

Satan has usurped authority.

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Satan retains power by deception.   We must resist him. We have the power to resist him, to stand up to him. We don't have to run; he does! James says, "Submit yourselves ... to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

[Maggz]

Legitimate authority is legal authority - that which has been granted to the one who holds it by right.  Usurped authority has been snatched or stolen by one who has no legal right to it.

Satan's authority is usurped and illegitimate for he is the Prince of lies

Satan has been defeated by Christ, who took our sins upon Him when He died on the cross.  Yet Satan has not given up - he continues to skirmish in the background and to attempt to entice Christians away from their calling.

[Irmela]

2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1) What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority?

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. 

So it all (not just a portion, but ALL) belongs to God. 

Legitimate authority is real and true. Whereas usurped authority is stolen authority. It is not genuine. Not real. 

Which kind of authority does Satan have?

Usurped authority. 

How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a,; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?

Christ disarmed the principalities and powers at the cross. As this age has not reached its completion, satan still roams around, (but as a defeated foe,) like a roaring lion seeking who he can still devour. We are given strategy to stand against him. We are told to resist him, and are given the assurance that he will flee from us. 

[Krissi]

There is so much about God I do not understand. It's getting worse!

John says Satan is prince of the world. This means he rules it and us, since we're in the world. At the same time, however, Satan is subjugated to Christ ... sorta. The fact is that though subjugated, he is still here. Harming us.

So, Christ, who is over Satan, must allow Satan to harm us.  It's just difficult to believe that a good God who COULD instantly get rid of sin and evil, and will eventually, is letting Satan harm us every day.

In political science, power and authority are two separate concepts which seem combined here. Power is, or can be, illegitimate -- authority is always legitimate. I think what we're really saying is Satan has power and Christ has authority, but am not sure. Usurped authority seems to be raw power exercised without legitimacy, in this case, against us. This describes Satan. He has power -- quite a bit, according to John -- but not authority. His power isn't legitimate. 

There are many "yet,, but not yet ..." problems in the Bible. The power-claim of Satan in the context of Christ's authority is an example. Though Christ has legitimate authority, he doesn't completely exercise it. He lets Satan prowl while pretending to have His authority. It's a bit like those who say the Kingdom of God is here ... but, well, not quite.  Similarly, we're capable of defeating Satan, moving mountains and claiming the power of God, but, then again, no one has ever done this. Satan was defeated at the cross, but is still here, harming and even killing us, even though he is defeated. 

What does this mean for me/us in daily life? I really don't know.

Satan is the prince of the world, even though he's been defeated AND even though I have been given the authority to defeat him. I have been told in various places in the Bible HOW to defeat Satan, but no one has been able to do it. In some places, I'm to stand and let God defeat Satan for me. I'm to have the faith that God actually will do this for me (I find this difficult). In other places, I'm to be proactive and fight Satan with or the authority given to me which, frankly, seems like a super dangerous thing to take on. It's one thing to resist, still another to go on the offensive, but both resistance and fighting require me to do something whereas putting on the armor of God and just standing there means He'll do it for me.