What is the difference between power and authority in spiritual life?

Power and authority are related but distinct concepts. Power is the ability or capacity to do something—strength, energy, or force. Authority, however, is the right or permission to do something. For example, a police officer may have the power to enforce the law, but their authority comes from the badge and the position they hold, which is given by the law and the community they serve. In spiritual life, Jesus has all power in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18), but He delegates authority to believers through His sacrifice. This means that while power is the ability to act, authority is the legal right to act in God’s name. Walking in authority means operating within the position of Christ’s delegated power, knowing that you are authorized by God to stand against the enemy, heal the sick, and speak life into situations—never fighting from weakness but from a place of divine backing.