40 Days of Spiritual RebootSample

We are on the theme of Spiritual Warfare and seeking to renew our commitment to victory in the spirit realm by being disciplined in prayer and discerning in the works of the devil.

Let's remember that Satan is a defeated enemy. Just like we are saints but still living in this physical reality with sin, He is a defeated enemy but still roams free. We exist with the knowledge and assurance that he is defeated and his power is redundant. Did you get that… your two greatest enemies in this life… Satan and Death are defeated. Their power has been broken over you. They are no threat.

The concern we bring to notice today is that while he is defeated, he has some things that are ours in his possession. He still has some influence although not long lasting. And the other matter that we must come to terms with is that He does operate in the spiritual realm primarily. So here is the issue… if we are fighting for spiritual matters in the physical realm we cannot hope to see a breakthrough. You will see some changes. Like people may give up addictions for a while. Or you may better cope with an emotional bondage or an impractical ambition for a bit. But you wonder why people who seemed to kick the habit, or make a change, or show some progress, or seemed to be growing… suddenly just revert back to their old selves or in a moment of weakness dive right back into the pit they were in before. Some parents or counsellors or coaches or teachers get frustrated that they now need to start from scratch.

The most significant arena is that of salvation. We debate and argue and convince and argue some more. Not realising that the prince of this world has darkened the minds of people so that they cannot see the light. It is not an intellectual barrier but a spiritual barrier. It's not that they won’t believe. It's that they cannot believe. The moment his power is broken… they are now free to believe. I wonder if we get the gravity of this. If we did, we would be praying more fervently for people to know the Lord.

It's like going into battle with ground troops only. We are unaware of the enemies tactical position and strategy and we expose ourselves to attack.

BUT when we send aerial forces first and the enemies attack weaponry is destroyed, then we can safely send in the ground troops to pick up the spoil. We may not all resonate with this analogy much less know how to apply it. But learn this one thing if nothing else from me today. Jesus gave this picture two thousand years ago. “how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house." (Mathew 12:29)

This analogy is parallel to spiritual and physical realms. You cannot win people to Christ, deliver them from slavery to habits and addictions, set them free from curses and bondages that have plagued them their whole lives… without… first binding the strong man.

Spiritual warfare is winning the arial battle first. It is setting captives free. It is breaking Satan's grip on people's lives. It is demolishing strongholds.

When Satan's grip is broken on a child's life, a teenager life, a druggies life, a gamblers life, a borrowers life, a wandering heart… then you will be amazed how little it takes to help them receive help, healing and wholeness from God again. This, as Jesus said, is done purely by fasting and prayer. It is not in talking to Satan but in talking to God.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Matthew 9 (ESV)

And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

COME CLEAN

If we have judged people for the inability to kick their habit, get their life back in order, give up an unhealthy relationship or climb out of a pit they dug for themselves… this is a good time to rethink our verdict. Grace and wisdom warrant a second look at the person. It calls for eyes of love and patience with these people whom we have been dealing with. When we understand that a lot of the time, it's not that they won’t… but they can’t… because the strong man is still in the house… this will cause us to pray differently.