Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

When Jesus sent out seventy disciples, they returned rejoicing that even the demons were subject to them (Luke 10:17).

Before Jesus left earth, He gave the same charge to all believers (Mark 16:17-18) when He said, “And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The authority He speaks of here is like the authority of a policeman directing traffic. He puts up his hand and cars stop. Not because he has the power within himself to stop cars, but because he has the authority given to him to stop traffic because of his official office.

Jesus gave us His authority to act in His stead. To do the things He did while on earth. Believers are His designated officials. We must be about His business.

Lord Jesus, instill in us Your holy boldness
to step out in faith as we exercise Your authority
at Your direction, to see Your will done
in the here and now before our very eyes.