by Sue Whisenhunt
Much has been said and written about Spiritual warfare in our times. There
has even been times when this subject has become a rage in the charismatic
sector of the Body of Christ. On one hand, an over emphasis on spiritual
warfare has the potential of having a very bad effect on the Church. If
spiritual warfare is not taught properly, it can be devastating, for this subject
has a unique way of captivating the peopleâs attention so completely that
they eventually think of nothing else but spiritual warfare. This is a favorite
trick of the devil to make believers magnify his power to a greater degree
than it deserves. If this trick works, these unbalanced, devil-minded
believers begin to imagine that the devil is behind everything that occurs,
thus becoming paralyzed and incapable of functioning normally in any
capacity of life. In this way, the enemy eliminates them from future
usefulness in the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately this has been the outcome
in the lives of too many people who have focused on the issue of spiritual
warfare in years past.
The Lord wants us to be sober and vigilant in all areas of His Kingdom.
Donât misunderstand what I am saying: I am not opposed to spiritual
warfare. Spiritual warfare is very real in the lives of every believer. We are
commanded in Scripture to deal with and subdue the unseen invisible forces
that have been marshaled against us. We have been commanded to âpull
down the strongholdsâ of the mind [2 Corinthians 10:3-5] and we have been
commanded to âcast out demonsâ [Mark 16:17].
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The Truth is we are in a battle. The Keys of His Kingdom have been given
unto us, as one of the tools, to be effective and victorious in spiritual
warfare. These keys are not our only spiritual weapon to use in spiritual
warfare. We must know what has been given to us and how to use it
effectively against our enemy. YES, we have an enemy. This emphasis on
spiritual warfare is good in that it causes us to become familiar with our
adversary, the devil, and how he operates. Once we understand his modes
of operation, we can foil his attacks against us. This is the reason Paul told
the Corinthians concerning the devil and his modes of operation, âwe are not
ignorant of [Satanâs] devicesâ [2 Corinthians 2:11].
Good and evil forces are marshaled against each other in the spirit realm,
which is the unseen realm. The Word even says, there is mutual enmity
(mutual hatred) between these Kingdoms. âThe Kingdom of His dear Sonâ is
known, in the Bible, with many names such as: âthe Kingdom of Lightâ, âthe
Kingdom of heavenâ, âthe Kingdom of the Son of His loveâ, and âthe Kingdom
of Godâ. This Kingdom of Light which is ruled by the Trinity-Father, SonJesus, and Holy Spirit is opposed by the Kingdom of Darkness which is ruled
by Satan.
In my own ministry, I have dealt with many demonic manifestations and
demons controlling believerâs minds. There are multitudes of people in the
world, and even in the Church today who are held captive and hostage by
the devil in their minds. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Scripture says, âFor the god
of this world, [Satan] has blinded the minds of them who believe notâŠ..
The Lord Jesus, by revelation, has shown me that this scripture is not only
speaking about those that do not know Him, but many Christians have been
blinded, by the enemy, and see not certain Truths in Godâs Word.
1 John 3:8 says: âFor this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He
might destroy the works of the devil.â
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The word âdestroyedâ in this Scripture is taken from the Greek word âluoâ and
it refers to âthe act of untying or unloosing something.â It is the exact word
we use to picture a person who is untying his shoes. In fact, the word âluoâ
is used in this exact way in Luke 3:16, when John the Baptist says, âbut one
mightier than I comes, whose shoes I am not worthy âto unloose.â
Thus, Jesus Christ came into the world to âuntie and unlooseâ Satanâs
binding power over us. At the cross, Jesus unraveled Satanâs power paying
the price for sin.
Furthermore, Peter told the household of Cornelius, âHow God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was
with Him.â
We know, from the above Truths and additionally when Jesusâ quoted Isaiah
61:1 in Luke 4:18 – which was His entry into ministry, that setting people
free from Satanâs power is the primary concern of Jesus Christ. Jesus never
changes and because this is His concern, it should be ours also.
In order to free people from demonic oppression, we must learn how to
recognize the work of the enemy and how to overcome his attacks against
the mind, for the mind is the primary area he seeks to attack. Satanâs goal
is to plant a stronghold of deception [a lie, which is contrary to the Truth in
the Bible] in some area of an individuals mind. If he is successful, he can
then begin to control and manipulate the person.
The Holy Spirit is speaking a strong message to the Body of Christ about
spiritual warfare to us in these last days. Christian leaders and churches all
across the nation are awakening to this reality. In light of this, we must give
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heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Church and proceed with the Word of
God as our guide and foundation.
As we seek to engage in spiritual warfare using the Keys of the Kingdom, we
must be careful to walk in balance. For one thing, we need to realize that
this subject of spiritual warfare involves more than just dealing with the
enemy. Other major elements of spiritual warfare have to do with âtaking
control of our mindsâ and âcrucifying the flesh.â We must not forget that
these latter elements of spiritual warfare are just as vital as using the keys
of the Kingdom.
The truth is the devilâs attacks against our lives wouldnât work if our flesh
didnât cooperate. If we were truly âmortifying the fleshâ [Colossians 3:5],
living lives that were âdead to sinâ [Romans 6:2] as we are commanded to do
in Scripture, we would not respond to demonic suggestions and to fleshly
temptations. Dead men are incapable of responding to anything. Thusly,
we see the power of a crucified life!
Living the crucified life is a crucial part of spiritual warfare. If I were to write
this article without mentioning this truth, I would be doing my readers an
injustice by giving them an unrealistic view on the subject.
A person can scream at the devil all day long, but if that person has willfully
permitted some area of their mind to go unchecked and unguarded by not
paying attention to Holy Spirit. If he is aware of an area of sin but has not
been willing to deal with it â he has opened the door for an attack against
himself. In that case, all his prayers against the devil will be to no avail
because his real enemy is not the devil. Rather, it is his own carnal mind
and flesh, which must be submitted to the control of Holy Spirit in order to
eradicate these attacks.
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The enemyâs goal is to steal, kill and destroy. [John 10:10] In the below
Scripture, this is illuminated further:
Mark 3.27 AMP
But no one can go into a strong man’s house and ransack his household
goods right and left and seize them as plunder unless he first binds the
strong man; then indeed he may [thoroughly] plunder his house.
Jesus in this scripture is talking about us, His born-again believers being the
âstrong manâ because we are in Him. When we abide, dwell and live in Him,
we remain clean â because we are quick when we sin to confess and receive
our forgiveness. (I John 1:9) We are quick to hear the promptings of Holy
Spirit and make corrections in our lives according to His direction. We are
sensitive to His direction in for us. Therefore, we remain the âstrongmanâ
and free of being ransacked and of being plundered by the enemy.
We become bound when we enter into sin, led by the enemy of our soul and
flesh and donât listen to Holy Spiritâs promptings to obey Him and to confess,
repent and receive our forgiveness.
In other words, when we remain in sin we open ourselves up to the enemy
allowing him to ransack our household goods, seize and plunder our home.
The bottom line is this: If people focus only on the devil as they pursue the
subject of spiritual warfare and fail to consider other equally important
areas, their emphasis on spiritual warfare can and will be damaging to them.
THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
In this Scripture, we see some rules and directions of application for using
the Keys of the Kingdom. We first must know what is meant by binding and
loosing.
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Mathew 16:19 AMP
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you
bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already
bound (declared to be improper and unlawful) in Heaven; and whatever you
loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed (declared
lawful) in Heaven.
Mathew 18-18 AMP
Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful
on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you
permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already
permitted in heaven.
What we could say about Mathew 18.18 is:
âWhat we Bind on earth in the name of JesusHeaven will back us up, and
What we Loose on earth, in the name of JesusHeaven will back us up.â
This is the expression of all prayerâif it exists in heaven, it is to be loosed
on earth. Itâs the praying Believer who looses heavenâs expression here.
Remember, The Lords Prayer âŠ.âThy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in HeavenââŠ. That is saying, if it exists in Heaven, it is to be
loosed here on this earth. Everything that happens here is supposed to be a
shadow of Heaven.
Conversely, if it is not free to exist in Heaven, it must be bound here.
Through prayer we are to exercise the authority given to us,
âI will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind
on earth shall have been bound in Heaven; and whatever you loose on earth
shall have been loosed in Heaven.â
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The implication is that we can only bind or loose what has already been
bound or loosed there in Heaven. Heaven is our model.
WHAT CAN I BIND?
Now the Greek word – Bind means: to tie up, imprison or already bound.
The Dictionary reads – Bind means: âto hold or restrain as if bound or
tied down; to tie together, make tight as with a rope or band; to be
constricting or restricting.â
We can bind anything that kills, steals and destroys. John 10:10 says: âThe
thief comes but to steal, and for to kill and to destroy.â For all these things
are from the enemy. We can bind the enemies work in our lives. When we
bind something in the name of Jesus, we tie it up; we restrain its influence
over ourselves, or our family or an individual.
FOR EXAMPLE:
When we bind the spirit of fear in the name of Jesus, we stop its influence
over an individual.
We can bind confusion over a person.
We can bind lack.
We can bind every, plan wile and strategy that the enemy has planned
today.
We need to become aware of what is already bound out of Heaven.
Thus whatever is already bound out of Heaven,
we can bind here on earth.
So letâs think about what is already bound –
(declared to be unlawful) in Heaven.
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WHAT CAN I LOOSE?
The Word says, whatever is loosed in Heaven,
we can loose here on earth.
We can loose anything good that comes from Heaven.
John 10:10 says: âŠ.âI am come that they might have life and that they
might have life abundantly.â
The Greek word Loose means âto untie, to loose or release.â
The Dictionary reads that Loosed means ânot confined or restrained,
readily available, moving freely, relaxed, to set free.â
FOR INSTANCE:
So with these scriptures,
We can bind lack and loose abundance or prosperity.
We can bind fear and loose peace.
We can bind confusion and loose the mind of Christ.
We can loose grace, and favor and love and joy and patience and
gentleness, and goodness and faithfulness and meekness and self-control.
Yes, all the fruit of the Spirit. There are many things that we may loose
from Heaven unto ourselves and others.
So think about what is in Heaven that you want down here! Remember, this
is Godâs idea and His plan. Abundant life here on this earth, just as it in
Heaven. As you read the Word daily, and feed your mind and spirit, pay
attention to what you are reading. Yes, even make notes, regarding what
you can loose into your life that has already been loosed in Heaven.
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THE UNSEEN REALM
Revelation 1:18 NKJ
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Keys of HADES â
In the Greek – Hades means the unseen realm; not hell
Jesus holds the keys of the Unseen or The Unseen Realm.
The unseen realm is more commonly known
as the spirit realm.
Jesus holds the keys of the spirit realm
Keys of DEATH mean: The Keys of Conquering death!!!
What is classified as death?
Everything that kills, steals and destroys mankind or
Everything the devil authors.
John 10:10 AMP
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they
may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it
overflows).
Jesus has the keys of Conquering Death and the Unseen
Realm. Because He is in us and we are in Him,
We have these keys!!!!
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE KEYS-
âTO BIND AND LOOSEâ
JESUS SAID SO !!!
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Although spiritual warfare is real and we cannot ignore it, we must be careful
to remember that the real battle with Satan was won at the Cross and
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:15 AMP
[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us
and made a bold display and a public example of them, in triumphing over
them in Him [Jesus] and in it [the cross].
Now this same victorious Christ, who single-handedly defeated the Devil,
lives in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit! This is why the Apostle John tells
us, âGreater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.â [John 4:4]
Our view of spiritual warfare must begin with this basic Truth and
understanding of Jesusâ already accomplished victory over Satan. We must
start out with this as our foundation. The victory has already been won;
there is nothing we can add to the destructive work Jesus did to Satanâs
domain and kingdom when He was raised from the dead.
These keys of His Kingdom are tremendously powerful keys that Jesus has
given us to enforce that victory in our lives. They have been purchased for
us. So it is up to us to pick them up and use them. Begin utilizing them in
your prayer life.
When we pray and believe, using these keys –
and we bind something of the kingdom of darkness-
it is for the purpose of binding or stopping
the influence of it over a personâs life
or from our own life.
When we bind evil spirits and their influence over peopleâs lives, we can also
ask the Father that their eyes, ears and heart be opened to the Truth of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and pray laborers into their life path. [Luke 10:2]
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We must know that we have been given authority, rulership and dominion
over all the kingdom of darkness to use these keys effectively. In order for
us to walk victoriously; we should speak a bold command in line with the
Word of God and in the name of Jesus. The bolder we are, at times, the
greater results we will have. The Holy Spirit will confirm what we are saying
as it agrees with the Word of God.
I look at it this way – We can bind the evil and loose the good.
Although at times – We can bind the good and loose the evil.
You will see this in the prayers below.
PRAYERS OF BINDING AND LOOSING
Prayer #1
I bind every plan, every wile and every strategy that the enemy has planned
for my life or for the lives of my family this day. Your plans will not come
into fruition and I loose all the goodness you Father have planned for my life
this day, in Jesus name.
Prayer #2
LORD, I am standing on the truth of your WORD. You said you gave me the
Keys of the Kingdom that whatever I would bind on earth would already be
bound in Heaven and whatever I would loose on earth would already be
loosed in Heaven.
Right now, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I bind my will to the will of God, that
I will be constantly aware of His will and purposes for my life. I bind myself
to the truth of God that I will not be deceived by the many subtle deceptions
of the world and the devil.
I bind myself to the blood of Jesus that I will never take it for granted. I
want to be constantly aware of His miracle-working power to restore and
heal and keep me safe. I bind myself to the mind of Christ that I will be
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aware of how Jesus would have me think in every situation I come into
today. I do not want to react out of my own human, carnal thoughts when
situations arise suddenly; I want to think and act as Jesus would have me
think and act. I bind my feet to paths of righteousness that my steps would
be steady and true all day long. I bind myself to the work of the cross in my
life so that I will continue to die daily to my own selfish desires and
motivations and live a crucified life and be more like Him every day.
I bind the enemy so that I may spoil his household and take back every bit
of joy, peace, blessing, freedom and every material and spiritual possession
that he has stolen from me. I take it back right now!! Satan, I loose your
influence over every part of my body, soul and spirit. I loose, crush, smash
and destroy every evil device, plan, wile and strategy you may try to bring
into my sphere of influence during this day.
I confess every wrong desire, attitude and pattern of thinking I have had
that is contrary to the Word of God and His will for my life. I renounce and
reject and receive my forgiveness for holding onto wrong ideas, desires,
behaviors and habits. Lord Jesus reveal these wrong desires, attitudes,
behaviors and patterns of thinking to me for I am quick to confess and
repent.
In the name of Jesus, I loose (destroy, crush, break, smash and melt, etc.)
every wrong attitude, pattern of thinking, belief, idea, desire, behavior and
habit I have ever learned. I loose the strongholds around them that would
keep them in place and keep me from being completely surrendered to the
will of God for my life. I loose all doubt and confusion from myself.
I have bound myself to the mind of Christ and I loose every wrong thought
and evil imagination that will keep me from being in sweet unity with Him. I
bind and loose these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who has given me
the keys to do so. Thank you Lord, for the Truth.
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Prayer #3
In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind my body, soul and spirit to the will and
purposes of God. I bind myself to the truth of God. I bind myself to the
awareness of the power of the blood of Jesus working in my life every day. I
bind my mind to the mind of Christ that I can and would have the thoughts,
purposes and feelings of His heart in me. I bind my feet to the paths you
have ordained for me to walk, God that my steps will be strong and steady.
I bind myself to the work of the cross with all its mercy, truth, love, power,
and forgiveness and surrendering to Him.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind the enemy and I loose his hold on
everything he has stolen from me. I rebuke his works and loose the power
and effects of every deception, device and influence he wants to bring
against me.
Lord Jesus, I confess and repent of having wrong attitudes and thoughts, I
renounce them now and receive my forgiveness that You purchased at the
cross for me. I loose every old wrong pattern of thinking, attitude, idea,
desire, belief, habit and behavior that may still be working in me. I tear
down, crush, smash and destroy every stronghold I have erected to protect
them. Lord Jesus reveal to me any and all wrong desires, attitudes,
behaviors and patterns of thinking to me for I am quick to confess and
repent. I bind myself to the attitudes and patterns of Jesus Christ. I bind
myself to the overcoming behavior and spiritual desires that line up with the
fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Father, I loose any stronghold in my life protecting wrong feelings I have
against anyone. Forgive me as I forgive those who have caused me pain,
loss or grief. I loose any desire for retribution. In the name of Jesus, I
loose the power and the effects of any harsh words (word curses) spoken
about me, to me or by me that are contrary to the will of God. I loose any
strongholds connected with them. Thank you Lord Jesus, that you have
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promised whatsoever I bind and loose on earth is already bound and loosed
in heaven. Amen.
SIX STEPS for BINDING and LOOSING:
A] Be bold when using the name of Jesus against anything that kills, steals
and destroys.
B] Identify the evil spirit with the Word of God or ask Holy Spirit to show
you what the evil spirit is [Discerning of spirits] causing the problem.
C] Bind the spirit [i.e. confusion, fear, etc.] in the name of Jesus.
[You may use the keys of binding and loosing on anyone saved or not saved]
D] Commanding it to leave is DELIVERANCE-âthey will cast out
demonsâ Mark 16:17 and not come back or return to the person or the
personâs home, and not follow you home, when you have permission of the
person to whom you are ministering.
[Before commanding any evil spirit to leave a person, You must have
the person agree with you that he or she wants it gone; and that they desire
to be saved and/or Holy Spirit filled and will take steps to serve the Lord].
E] If possible, spend time with the person until he or she is free.
F] Give the person some scriptures to memorize and meditate on to take the
place of bondage and wrong thinking.
G] Instruct them to submit to God in all areas of their lives and resist the
spirit or fear, pain, confusion and rebellion, (etc.) in the name of Jesus.
Instruct them how to resist the enemy, for when it tries to come back.
[Mathew 12:43-45; Luke 11:20-26]
To follow step D & E you must believe Mark 16:17; you must know who
you are in Christ Jesus and go two by two as Jesus commanded His
disciples. Bind all retaliation against you by the enemy after you are done.
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