Podcast Summary: Walking In Our Authority

Speaker: Nancy Dufresne

Venue: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA

Date: July 21, 2021

Overview

In this empowering episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne teaches on the spiritual authority every believer holds as part of their inheritance in Christ. The message centers on understanding, claiming, and exercising God-given dominion—especially over the works of darkness and all adverse circumstances. Drawing on Scripture, personal stories, and practical examples, Nancy urges listeners to walk in victory, not defeat, by using the authority that Jesus has shared with His Body.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Our Inheritance in Christ: Authority Restored

• Scriptures Cited: Psalm 8, 1 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 1 & 2
• Every believer’s inheritance in Christ includes healing, peace, prosperity, joy, and most significantly, authority over the works of darkness ([00:40]).
• Adam relinquished earthly authority to the devil through sin, but through Christ, believers now possess a restored—and even greater—authority.

"Because we belong to Christ, all of heaven’s best is ours... but another thing that is so large, such a large part of our inheritance is authority over the works of darkness." – Nancy Dufresne [01:10]

• We are spiritually “seated” with Christ, far above all principalities, powers, and negativity.

2. Authority is for Daily Life, Not Just Church

• Authority is not passive or limited by personality; it’s a divine, delegated power intrinsic to the believer’s spiritual identity ([04:50]).
• Using authority changes how we run our homes, businesses, and personal spheres of influence.
• Failing to exercise authority leads to being “whipped” by life despite being saved ([02:50]).

"Those in Christ who do not exercise their authority will live whipped in this world. Yes, they'll go to heaven... but they will suffer all the way there until they use their authority." – Nancy Dufresne [03:15]

3. Parental Authority as a Spiritual Parallel

• Real-life parenting reflects spiritual principles: When parents relinquish authority, children pick it up; unused authority never lies inactive ([05:20]).
• Authority “fits” us, designed by God, and not wearing it creates dysfunction.

"Authority does not lie inactive. Somebody’s going to take it. Might as well be the one paying the bills." – Nancy Dufresne [05:43]

• Nancy shares her mother’s wisdom about maintaining a peaceful home by exercising parental authority.

4. Seated With Christ – Our Position and Power

• Ephesians 1:19-22 and Ephesians 2:4-6 describe Jesus’ and therefore our own, exalted position ([09:10]).
• Authority is a shared flow from Jesus (the head) to the Church (His body); if the body does not act, God cannot get things done through us ([12:20]).
• Obedience to God’s direction is essential for authority to operate effectively.

"If he wants the body to fulfill what the head instructs, then the body has to have the same authority as the head." – Nancy Dufresne [12:35]

5. Daily Exercise of Authority: Resist, Forbid, and Loose

• Authority is for everyday use—resisting symptoms, lack, worry, and negative thoughts ([16:10]).
• It's not a passive battle; we’re to resist and push back against every attempt to steal our inheritance.

"Every day you need to be resisting something. Every day, exercise yourself in authority." – Nancy Dufresne [17:23]

• Heaven backs up what believers forbid or allow (Matthew 18:18).

6. Responsibility Comes With Authority

• Having something means having responsibility to protect it, whether marriage, children, finances, or spiritual territory ([18:10]).
• Simply knowing about authority is not enough; acting on it is what brings results ([21:45]).
• Practical example: Jewish Holocaust survivor refused to allow death, demonstrating the power of determined authority.

"Authority is not just saying what you want. It’s saying what you will have, and it’s saying what you won’t have." – Nancy Dufresne [23:28]

7. The Devil’s Strategy: Ignorance and Intimidation

• The devil wants believers ignorant of their authority so he can keep “pushing the buttons” in their lives ([26:40]).
• Satan can only gain ground when we refuse to act; he's a defeated foe, banking on our inaction or ignorance ([31:00]).

"Anytime the devil shows up, you always think of him as already defeated, already stripped." – Nancy Dufresne [31:32]

8. Authority in the Home and Practical Boundaries

• Extended metaphor of parenting: Children (and circumstances) naturally test boundaries, but proper authority brings order and peace ([35:00]).
• Do not adopt secular ideas about authority that lack biblical foundation ([38:30]).

"Don’t go to the world to learn how to walk with God. They don’t know what they’re doing. I’m not talking about abuse. I’m talking about authority. God made you for dominion. He made you for authority. Be the boss." – Nancy Dufresne [39:15]

9. If You’ve Lost Your Authority—Take It Back

• Even if the devil, symptoms, or others have “run your life,” your authority is still yours. Take it back and outlast resistance ([41:00]).

10. Submitting to God for Effective Authority

• True authority flows from submission to God (James 4:7).
• If your authority “isn’t working,” ask what God has been leading you to adjust or obey ([47:50]).

"You can’t be in disobedience to God, then take a stand against the devil and think things are going to leave you alone." – Nancy Dufresne [48:10]

11. Victory Mindset and Daily Application

• Becoming skillful in authority brings joy and a “flow of winning.”
• Nancy’s testimony: Joy in pastoring came from exercising her God-given authority and not letting challenges define her days ([52:15]).

"When you walk in your authority, you get addicted to the flow of winning. When you don’t... you get used to... being kicked around every day of your life." – Nancy Dufresne [53:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "God made man to have dominion. Dominion fits you. Authority—a God-given, divine authority—fits you." [06:30]
• "If He (Christ) wants the body to fulfill what the head instructs, then the body has to have the same authority as the head." [12:35]
• "Heaven makes no movement until you do something… when you see something out of place, take authority." [24:15]
• "You don’t get just what you want. You get what you act on." [24:45]
• "Jesus has made you master. Now be masterful." [33:10]
• "Be sober, be vigilant… Stand fast, immovable. Be the parent." [44:55]
• "I decided I would start every day saying, what do I get to win in today?" [53:15]

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction and Scripture: Psalm 8
• [01:10] – Authority as part of Christ’s inheritance
• [03:15] – Consequence of not using authority
• [05:43] – Authority in the home and parenting
• [09:10] – Ephesians on our spiritual authority and position
• [12:35] – Shared authority with Christ
• [16:10] – Exercising daily authority and resisting the enemy
• [23:28] – Real-life story: Holocaust survivor’s determination
• [24:15] – Teaching from Matthew 18:18
• [31:32] – The devil’s bluff and believers’ true standing
• [39:15] – On secular vs. biblical authority
• [41:00] – Taking back lost authority
• [47:50] – James 4:7: Submission and resistance
• [53:15] – Mindset: Embracing the “flow of winning”

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s message is a clarion call: Christians must know, claim, and consistently exercise their God-given authority in every area of life. Victory is the birthright of the believer, but it requires “masterful” action, daily resistance to the enemy, and obedience to God.

"Walk in your authority. Exercise your authority over something. Amen." – Nancy Dufresne [54:00]