Scripture: Matthew 16 v 15 - 19
Verse 19: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on Earth shall be bound in
Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth shall be loosed in
Heaven." Words of Jesus
Many people believe that St. Peter controls who enters
Heaven because Jesus gave him the keys to Heaven. However, Jesus is the one who holds the keys
to Hell and Death. (Revelation 1 v 18).
Peter received spiritual keys concerning the Christianity 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, drawers or chests on the
Earthly plane. So what do spiritual keys do?
When we are born again our spirit is saved immediately
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 (We were born in sin - Ps 51 v 5). Our sins are forgiven
but the consequences of sin must be worked out.
All sin has consequences and in Romans we learn that the
wages of sin is death. Harming your body and mind with drugs, cigarettes or
alcohol has consequences that eventually lead to death. Fatal lung diseases,
liver diseases, or brain malfunction like dementia are almost epidemics today.
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 in the scheme
of things. 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 loss of self-control those
substances bring into play. The demons
are no longer inhibited because drinking and drugging puts you under the
influence. Their influence!!
Then they take over and cause the bad or rowdy behaviour;
reckless driving which causes accidents; promiscuity or violence. I am suddenly
reminded of the evil monkeys in Jumanji. Exactly the way demons cause us to
behave.
Born again Christians have the same keys that Peter was
given to take authority over a demon and bind it. 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 human host. In all realms it is visible in its paralyzed
state. The demons in Hell tremble when saints using the authority of Jesus
under the anointing of the Holy Spirit start setting captives free.
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 when the person you
want to help is not co-operating fully it is futile. 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 then money
is wasted trying to fix the problem in expensive rehab facilities.
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. Of course these are not the only demons we
have to deal with. We use them as most people are aware of these substances and
unknowingly blame the person for the behaviour of demons.
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. Not a day goes by when we are not
engaged in spiritual warfare.
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 ever gift of
the Holy Spirit to overcome the enemy. In Jesus' name. Amen.