The finished work of Jesus does not only provide us with justification from sins, it also provides us with newness of life. In other words, we were not only discharged and acquitted, but also empowered to live victoriously over Satan and his kingdom. This is the reason why God has, “… raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Eph 2:6) …”far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph 1:21). This is, “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Eph 3:10-11). God has chosen to use His Church (the family of believers in Christ Jesus) to propagate His kingdom and enforce His will on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).
   
However, in order to execute the foregoing eternal purpose of God—which is that it should be on earth as it is in heaven—we (the Church) need to realize that God has given us authority. This implies that we have divinely delegated power to enforce the will of God on earth as it is in heaven. Christ has already secured the victory for us, by having defeated, disarmed, dethroned and destroyed Satan and his demons. Now He has commanded us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matt 28:19-20). An integral part of this great commission is “… as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:7-8). The Church can only make disciples, if it preaches the kingdom of God as both a present and a future reality. To relegate the era of miracles to the early Church, or to postpone it to the millennium, is to rob the current dispensation of the manifestation of God’s power and the attendant kingdom reality it provides.
   
Jesus assumed a human form to model the life God expects us to live. He died and rose again, both for us and as us, to make it possible. Then He ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to live that life. The following scriptural texts capture this point: ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (Jn 14:12); “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”” (Jn 20:21). The ministry of Jesus, by which He demonstrated the reality of the kingdom of God on earth, is to continue throughout the Church age. That was why Peter, on the day of Pentecost, said, “… the promise is to you and to your children, and to ALL WHO ARE AFAR OFF, AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD WILL CALL.”” (Acts 2:39) (emphasis mine).
   
However, we need to keep in mind that authority is useful  only if it is exercised. If we do not use the authority Jesus has given over Satan and his kingdom, it will not do us any good. In as much as calling upon God in prayer consistently is not only commendable, but also indispensable, God does not want us to call upon Him to resist demons for us; it is not His responsibility. He has vested us with authority: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk 10:19). The command is clear: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Therefore, let us arise and use our authority in Christ Jesus to resist Satan and his demons firmly until we exterminate every vestige of his influence around us. Shalom.