Spiritual Warfare – Binding the strongman…..
Matthew 12 : 29 …
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
There is a spirit, an entity, that has been assigned to a particular place that manipulates the activities of that area. Each spirit is subject to the authority of the government of a deity. There are two ruling powers:
1. the god of this world/ earth - i.e. the devil
2. the God of the universe - i.e. The Almighty God
Spirits rule different territories like cities, blocks, communities, families and organizations. In order to control anything in that region, one has to dispossess the 'strongman' i.e. the spirit in charge of that area. There are several kinds of ‘spirits/ strongmen’ and you’ll need to first disarm him/ them in order to destroy and remove his/ their powers. Knowing and blocking their strategy and arsenal power is critical for victory. Of equal importance is knowing and releasing yours. Proximity to the forte/ source of supplies is primary. Everything is dictated by authority and power. You retreat or advance based on your relationship to the source. Your attitudes and beliefs are driven by your knowledge, understanding and connection.
Matthew 16: 15 – 19
15 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The role of the strongman is to dominate a territory based on his god's government. The strongman takes over a place that he does not own. He is a bully. The strongman does not represent the Almighty God because The Almighty God only sends HIS spirit where HE'S invited. HE'S not a bully. You can only overcome, destroy and or get rid of the strongman by invoking the power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Understanding your position....
Mankind lost his power over the territories of this world to demonic forces when Adam and Eve gave 'their' dominion to the devil. Several years later Jesus came to the earth and died on the cross. Through HIS death and resurrection HE regained that dominion/power on behalf of men and gave us the opportunity to be in charge again. Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. The power and authority that a christian possesses is greater than any power any demon can possess. But only by engaging through the power of Jesus Christ can we defeat the strongman. Jesus took back the keys of dominion from the devil which Adam and Eve had given to him. HE then offers those keys to us again. But in addition to those keys HE also offers us a 'tutor'; someone who knows which keys are for which doors in the Kingdom of God on earth. In order to dominate effectively, we have to become familiar with the rules of engagement with the territory under our jurisdiction whether it be our lives, families, businesses, communities, countries, etc... Our victory is twofold:
1. Based on what Jesus did - regain the keys and give us the Holy Spirit as our teacher
2. Based on what Jesus taught - the gospel of the Kingdom of (heaven on earth)God
- Revelation 12: 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
- Revelations 1: 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
- Luke 11 ; 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.
Spiritual warfare includes real powers. Unless the strongman is defeated, the reality of a place will not change, and there will never be peace. These spiritual forces are oppressive. 2 Corinthians 10 Spiritual warfare is for spirits, not humans. We cast out demons in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ based on the Holy Spirit living within us. But it is God who sends HIS angels to fight on our behalf. When we pray we grant the angels access to represent us in the earth. God's Kingdom has a real government with a real army that represents 'us' the real citizens in the earth. The angels are our government's cavalry. For instance: we don't have to try to figure out how to open prison doors. Like Paul and Silas, we walk through the front door. Like Daniel, we sleep with the lions unarmed. Or like Shadrack, Meshek and Abendigo we walk out of a fire unscathed. Our responsibility is always to pray. Prayer is our access card. God takes care of HIS citizens. HE gives HIS angels charge over us. Angels are ministering spirits of God that are assigned to us to do our biding. Hebrews 1 Our weaponry is in our words because life and death is in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18
The power of the word of our testimony....
Jesus' death and resurrection released the devil's control/dictatorship. Jesus overthrew his governance and gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to rule properly now that we are under a 'different jurisdiction'. We now take orders from a new government. We follow new rules and regulations based on the government of the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus sent HIS disciples to testify of the gospel which HE shared with them. Matthew 28 Ever since Jesus started HIS ministry after the wilderness experience HE preached the gospel of the Kingdom, and when HE left after HIS resurrection HE commissioned them to do the same. The first time HE sent them on a practice run HE was precise in what they should share.
Luke 10: 5-11
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.Jesus commissions us to be witnesses of what HE said and did. HE took control:
- healed the sick
- cast out demons
- raised the dead
- commanded creation i.e. wind, trees, water, etc...
- but more importantly HE taught about the government of the Kingdom.
HE was God's representative of heaven on earth. HIS methods were God's original plans for our lives as humans. HIS actions were based on God's economy. For example: HE fed over 5,000 people with two (2) fishes and five (5) loaves of bread. HE turned water into wine. HE put money in a fish's mouth. A testimony is valid based on evidence of a witness. Jesus commands us to take the stand based on 'HIS witness'. i.e. based on our experience with HIM in this capacity? Is HE who HE says HE is? Did HE do the things HE professed? Do we have proof? Does HE have power and is it sufficient to dominate without resistance? 'These are the secrets of the Kingdom - the ability to do impossible things in normal circumstances.' This is how a citizen binds and looses i.e. (un)grants access to the storehouse of heaven. Access to the forte is extremely important. If you run out of resources or cavalry is lacking, then the strongman can return. Defeating the strongman is not just about relieving him, but more importantly setting up a system where he's unable to return. Jesus has given us the opportunity to dis-empower the strongman of everything he dominates(d)in the earth i.e in our lives, family, community, office, globe. Our dominion is now rightfully restored to us if we'll accept it.
2 Peter 1:3 HIS divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of HIM who called us by HIS own glory and goodness.
Ephesians 1 We have the power to destroy the strongman. The blessings to overcome have also been distributed to us in the heavenly realms. Not only do we now have power in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual realm because we are now seated with Christ there too. Ephesians 2. Our power is extensive. The keys to the Kingdom open several doors to us. We've been granted access. No longer do we have to live oppressive, harassed and unfulfilled lives on earth. There's no way we can manipulate nor understand the immense power and authority we now have without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. We will have to enter into the heavenly realms through prayer to access them. No wonder Jesus prayed so much, not out of desperation, but rather from HIS disposition. Praying is not just about our requests. It's an open line of communication, a roadway. It includes assignments and other forms of traffic i.e. our spirit, the Holy Spirit, our understanding, a meeting of the minds, etc... Each new day God gives us new assignments. Jesus didn't pray about demons, HE wasn't pre-occupied with them. HE simply cast them out. But HE prayed to the Father, Our Father, about HIS mission. Jesus told HIS disciples that HE only did what HIS Father told HIM to do. Jesus was constantly praying; always talking to the Father about what to do next and how to do it. Jesus gave us those rights and privileges so that we could live empowered lives like HE did. Romans 6 When HE confronted demons it was in authority, not fear. HE didn't spend hours with them either. Practice to fear God and disrespect demons, not the other way around. Don’t be intimidated. From where you sit, you're more powerful. Use your authority. For instance: use words like - leave, go, flee. Learn to spend more quality time in prayer. Prayer isn't about a department store and a shopping list. It's a classroom. Spend more time there, learning, training, waiting for wisdom and understanding. Prayer is quality time with God.
The strongman will not go freely. He is assigned to make your life miserable. You will have to emancipate yourself from his rule and authority in order for your destiny to be made manifest. You need to understand the power and authority that the Almighty God has given you in order to demolish the powers of the strongman. It's like the story of the prodigal son. Luke 15 Even though he was living in a pig pen eating pig food, he was still the son of royalty. But until he chose to get up and go back to his father he would never have had those privileges again. His father told them to put a ring on his finger, and clean him up properly to reflect his rightful position. He was a prince who ended up in a pigpen. Is that your story? What living conditions are you subjecting yourself to emotionally, physically, even spiritually? Are you aware of what you are entitled to as a citizen of the Kingdom of God? Your heavenly Father is waiting on you.
St. John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Today, choose to get up! You are not a slave nor a hired servant. You are a heir and co-heir to the throne of the Almighty God. Place perpetual injunction and supernatural embargo on the strongman in your territory. Pray with humility and repentance. Confront the strongman with understanding of your position and authority. For instance: you are no longer in control of my life, my destiny, my family etc... My life and family's destiny is in Christ Jesus. When you resist the devil, he has to flee. He's not omnipotent nor omniscient, only the Almighty God can be that. Take back what's rightfully yours and lock him out for good. Tune in to the Holy Spirit your counsellor for classes. Pray i.e. keep going to school, and keep the channels open.TESTIMONY: Son of Imam starts preaching the Gospel on the streets of GAZA!! - Pod for Israel - Arabic Ministry
WORSHIP: The Name of Jesus
