100 Bible Verses about Spiritual Authority

Luke 10:19 ESV / 701 helpful votes

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Luke 9:1 ESV / 474 helpful votes

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Romans 13:1 ESV / 412 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 410 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 370 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

James 4:7 ESV / 331 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV / 305 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

1 John 4:4 ESV / 275 helpful votes

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Matthew 16:15-19 ESV / 241 helpful votes

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 237 helpful votes

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Mark 16:17-18 ESV / 223 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 10:27 ESV / 214 helpful votes

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

1 John 3:8 ESV / 187 helpful votes

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 5:4-5 ESV / 171 helpful votes

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Deuteronomy 28:7 ESV / 165 helpful votes

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 163 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 157 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

John 16:13 ESV / 156 helpful votes

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV / 111 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV / 110 helpful votes

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 107 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV / 104 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 103 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 95 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13 ESV / 94 helpful votes

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV / 92 helpful votes

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 92 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

John 10:10 ESV / 86 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Titus 3:1 ESV / 83 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Romans 12:21 ESV / 81 helpful votes

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 78 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 77 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Mark 16:17 ESV / 77 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Isaiah 53:5 ESV / 77 helpful votes

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Matthew 18:18 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Ephesians 6:11 ESV / 73 helpful votes

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Acts 5:29 ESV / 72 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 71 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

John 20:19-24 ESV / 70 helpful votes

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” ...

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 68 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 67 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Isaiah 14:12 ESV / 67 helpful votes

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

Titus 2:15 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Matthew 16:19 ESV / 66 helpful votes

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Psalm 84:11 ESV / 66 helpful votes

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 ESV / 65 helpful votes

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Romans 13:1-2 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Matthew 4:1-25 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 63 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Mark 1:27 ESV / 62 helpful votes

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

John 6:55-59 ESV / 61 helpful votes

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Matthew 16:16 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 56 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

2 Corinthians 10:8 ESV / 54 helpful votes

For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

John 3:16 ESV / 54 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 52 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

1 Samuel 17:47 ESV / 51 helpful votes

And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.”

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Mark 6:7 ESV / 45 helpful votes

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 42 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

2 Corinthians 2:9 ESV / 42 helpful votes

For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Romans 13:2 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Ephesians 5:23 ESV / 41 helpful votes

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Romans 12:19 ESV / 41 helpful votes

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Ephesians 1:21 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Ephesians 6:14 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 38 helpful votes

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Titus 1:5 ESV / 36 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

John 14:6 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 21:23 ESV / 34 helpful votes

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

Matthew 10:8 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Acts 26:12 ESV / 33 helpful votes

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

Acts 14:23 ESV / 32 helpful votes

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Luke 10:17 ESV / 29 helpful votes

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 28 helpful votes

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

John 8:31-32 ESV / 28 helpful votes

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

John 8:44 ESV / 27 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 26 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 John 2:27 ESV / 24 helpful votes

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Ephesians 2:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Romans 12:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 8:31 ESV / 23 helpful votes

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 22 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

2 Thessalonians 3:14 ESV / 22 helpful votes

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

Matthew 17:20 ESV / 22 helpful votes

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Hebrews 11:3 ESV / 20 helpful votes

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

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