Legal: Understanding Spiritual Authority and Divine Principles

The concept of legality in Scripture extends beyond human laws to encompass divine principles of authority, obedience, and the spiritual ramifications of our choices. Understanding these principles helps us navigate our relationship with God and maintain our position in Christ.

Divine Authority Over Human Law

Even if officially authorized by human standards, if something is contrary to God's revealed principles it is still wrong. We should at all times endeavour to have a good conscience both with God (the higher authority and to whom we are accountable) and man, living with integrity and uprightness as we do what is legitimate and what is the most loving – this consistent lifestyle receives God's approval (Mk 12:30-31; Act 5:29, 23:1; Rom 12:17; 1 Tim 1:5).

Neither God nor Satan can legally force us to do anything. They will not violate our free will. The Holy Spirit brings conviction, prompting us to do something that will result in liberty and victory. Satan uses temptation to draw us away from the close connection, and guilt when we do. We are continually offered two choices, God's way of life and blessing or Satan's way of death and curse (Deut 30:15-20; Jn 10:10). The choice is always ours, yet after giving in to sin a pattern is established with the choice becoming routine and little consideration given to its outcome – whether sinful or obedient.

The Believer's Position and Protection in Christ

In this life we will be subject to temptation, as even Jesus was, yet when we don't yield Satan has no hold or power over us (Mt 4:1-11; Jn 14:30). Yet he has a legitimate right to attack Christians when we sin, which is stepping out from under the covering or alignment of Christ by giving our allegiance to something or someone other than God.

Know your position in Christ, and endeavour always to remain there

The Bible says, "Do not give the devil a foothold" for he is always on the prowl looking for an opportune time to attack, yet when walking in victory under the cleansing blood of Jesus, Satan can only persuade or deceive us into stepping out of close relationship with Christ (Eph 4:27; 1 Pet 5:8).

The Bible asks, "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies" (Rom 8:33). When we accepted salvation we were justified with our past sins wiped away with the record of our legal sin debts cancelled (Col 2:13-15). However for subsequent sin, from that point on the enemy has easy access to harass and attack until the matter is addressed and repented of, and we come back into the place of security under His protection, with a change of heart and response removing Satan's right of access (Ps 91:1,15; Isa 59:2; Ezek 39:24; Mic 3:4; 1 Jn 1:9). What a good reason to settle issues quickly, besides freeing ourselves of the inner torment as David described (Ps 32:3-5).

A New Creation with a New Legal Standing

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Cor 5:17). This transformation is not merely symbolic but carries profound legal implications in the spiritual realm. When we came to Christ, we underwent a complete change of ownership and identity. We were once under Satan's dominion, enslaved to sin and legally bound to the enemy's claims upon our lives – but no longer.

Our former legal description as sinners, rebels and children of wrath has been entirely replaced with a new legal description: saints, beloved children of God, and citizens of heaven (Eph 1:1; Phil 3:20; 1 Jn 3:1). The enemy no longer has any legitimate claim upon us. We were his, but we are not any longer. The transfer of ownership was legally completed at the cross, where Christ "cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross" (Col 2:14).

It is now our responsibility to live according to this new legal reality. We must actively reject all of Satan's claims and accusations, standing firm in the truth of who we are in Christ. When the enemy comes with condemnation, we remind him – and ourselves – that we have been bought with a price and belong to Another (1 Cor 6:19-20). When he attempts to assert old claims, we declare that the old has passed away and all things have become new. This is not presumption but the confident assertion of our legal standing as those who have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Col 1:13-14).

The Consequences of Sin and the Remedy in Christ

When we choose to 'eat the forbidden fruit', we make Satan our master, 'yielding our members' to sin (Gen 3:1-6; Rom 6:11-14). "You are servant to whom you obey…A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him" (Rom 6:6,16-22; 2 Pet 2:19). If we don't forgive someone, Satan is legally entitled to get and hold the advantage over us and we exclude ourselves from God's forgiveness (Mt 6:14-15; 2 Cor 2:11).

Praise the Lord, God considers us cleansed by the blood of Christ; the legal requirement of death for our sin was paid by Christ "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your conscience regularly before God and man, ensuring your actions align with divine principles rather than merely human approval.
Recognize that every choice carries spiritual consequences – choose consciously to remain under God's covering and protection.
When you stumble, quickly repent and return to your secure position in Christ, refusing to give the enemy any foothold.
Extend forgiveness to others, understanding that withholding it gives Satan legal advantage and blocks your own reception of God's forgiveness.