Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Authority?

11 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Spiritual Authority in the Bible

Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about spiritual authority. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential theology & doctrine topic.

11
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
10
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Spiritual Authority

  1. 1
    Deuteronomy 28:7
    The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Matthew 16:15
    He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
    KJV
  3. 3
    Matthew 18:18
    Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Matthew 28:18
    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Mark 16:17
    And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
    KJV
  6. 6
    Luke 9:1
    Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Luke 10:19
    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
    KJV
  8. 8
    John 10:27
    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
    KJV
  9. 9
    Romans 13:1
    Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered
    KJV
  10. 10
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Authority? (1 Verses)

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Authority? (10 Verses)

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Spiritual Authority

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about spiritual authority. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about spiritual authority and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about spiritual authority is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on spiritual authority needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about spiritual authority with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about spiritual authority, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Spiritual Authority?

You have studied 11 verses about spiritual authority. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about spiritual authority?
Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about spiritual authority. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential theology & doctrine topic. The Bible contains 11 key verses about spiritual authority spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about spiritual authority are there?
There are 11 key Bible verses about spiritual authority compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about spiritual authority?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about spiritual authority is Deuteronomy 28:7 — "The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before ..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about spiritual authority?
Spiritual Authority is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 11 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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