Scripture: Matthew 16 v 15 - 19
Many people believe that St. Peter controls who enters
Heaven because Jesus gave him the keys to heaven in Matthew 16. These are
spiritual keys concerning the foundation statement that the Father had revealed
to Peter - Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.
Upon the rock foundation of those words Jesus said He
would build His church or His Body. The keys of binding and loosing, which is
the way to Heaven, were given to Peter.
Keys are needed to lock or unlock doors or drawers or chests on the
Earthly plane. So what do spiritual keys do?
When we are born again our spirit is immediately saved
and taken to Heaven. (We are seated with Christ in heavenly places - Ephesians
2). Our soul - the part of us that Satan held hostage and did evil damage to -
still has to overcome the torment it was subjected to before being placed in a
human body on Earth. Our sins are forgiven but the consequences of sin must be worked
out.
A teenage girl falling pregnant can be forgiven the sin
of fornication but the baby still grows inside her. If she opts for an abortion
her burden grows heavier. I have prayed with women who have had an abortion
years before and have never recovered from it. Whatever happens the baby is an
issue or consequence of sin.
All sin has consequences and in Romans we learn that the
wages of sin is death. Harming your body and mind with drugs, cigareets or
alcohol has consequences that eventually lead to death. The ultimate death is
eternity in Hell. Jesus was sent by the Father to spare His children the
torments of Hell.
So binding and loosing are very important. Whatsoever you
bind on Earth is bound in Heaven. We need to discover through the gifts of the
Holy Spirit what has got loose in our lives that is going to kill us eternally.
It is always a demon. If its alcohol most of us know how a wonderful person
turns into a raging lunatic when the demon of alcohol is loosed inside. Or
drugs. That demon needs to be bound. It is not the drug or alcohol that causes
the problems it is the inhibition those substances bring into play. The demons are no longer inhibited they take
over and cause the bad or rowdy behaviour; reckless driving which causes
accidents; promiscuity or violence.
Born again Christians have the same keys that Peter was
given to take authority over a demon and bind it. (Please read "The Sons
of Sceva" on this blog before trying this at home!). When a demon is bound
on Earth it is bound in Heaven too. It is paralyzed and gagged and unable to do
its evil work on its host human. But the human needs to be loosed too.
The keys to loosing a human from demonic bondage is to
minister to them to find out what the problem was that kick started their binge.
What is the underlying horror they are trying to escape? When that is
determined prayer and teaching are done to cleanse the soul of those
experiences and memories to restore them to the path of righteousness. In
Romans 12 v 1 - 2 we need to renew our minds according to the will of God. It
is His will that we be free of demons and sinful behaviour.
The disciples in Jesus' days on Earth were very excited
that the demons were subject to them. Jesus warned them not to glory in it but
to be thankful. When you first realise, as I did in the early 1980's, that your
problems stem from something you can actually control and deal with it is very
exciting. However you soon realize that it is hard work and the person you want
to help is not co-operating fully. The person in need should be desperate for
help before you begin.
Derek Prince used to say if you are not desperate for
deliverance then come back when you are. This is very true and helps not to
waste time and energy on someone who is still waffling and undecided about
wanting to be free. Parents may be desperate for their teenager to get off
drugs or alcohol but if that teenager is still loving his drugs time and money
is wasted trying to fix the problem. You need to educate the person about the
harm of drugs and alcohol, and expose them to how people become physically,
mentally or emotionally diminished after years of substance abuse.
When you understand how powerful a tool it is in the
recovery of those bound by substances or witchcraft or occult involvement you
will give praise and glory to Jesus for the sacrifice He made to bring Satan
down so that we would be able to overcome these demons. In 40 years I have
never met anyone who was completely free. I was my own guinea pig and learnt
much about deliverance at the feet of Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I was so ignorant about the life
of the Spirit. I bless and thank You for opening my eyes and setting me free. I
pledged then and renew it now that I will delight to make the kingdoms of this
world the Kingdom of our God. Every place that we spiritually walk upon or
overcome You have given to us to present to You when You return. Father stir up
every buried talent and bring Your army of prayer warriors to use every gift of
the Holy Spirit to overcome the enemy. In Jesus' name. Amen.