For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death ~ Psalms 102:19-20.
Introduction
The realities which surround living in this world make the ministry of deliverance a very major feature of the messianic assignment and an essential element in the gospel program (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18). That is a truth we all must allow to settle down pretty well in our belief systems.
For the avoidance of any ambiguity, bondage depicts a state of slavery or involuntary servitude. And, a captive is someone who is being restrained, kept in a certain confinement and tucked away from the full liberty of the sons of God (Romans 8:19).
Undoubtedly, spiritual bondage is more intense than physical bondage. When a person is being restrained or is in prison in the natural sense, he knows his exact environment, surroundings, limitations, expectations, etcetera. But, in the spiritual sense, the details are somewhat different.
In spiritual imprisonment, we cannot see the jailers (or prison guards) that monitor the captives. We cannot see the confinement area that regulates their mobility. We cannot see the heavy chains holding them down, yet they feel the intense impact of it all nonetheless.
A closer study of Acts 16:23-27 in the context of Bible deliverance easily compares and contrasts physical and spiritual bondages.
First of all, the prisoners — Paul and Silas — were flogged. The jailer beat them, and continued to do so until they were weak. This is how it is with people who are held in satanic captivity.
Thereafter, the jailer cast them into the inner prison so he could have a stronger hold on them. Satan often places a demonic presence (or a “jailer”) over his captives.
The jailer's job is to keep the prisoners tight in captivity, and to prevent escape (Isaiah 14:17). Thus, after the jailer had put Paul and Silas into the more secure room within the prison, he also bound their feet to the floor of the cell. They were then limited only to movement within their space in captivity.
Similarly, a spiritual captive cannot exercise his liberty to be himself, enjoy his rights as a normal human being, or access the fullness of the superabundant life because of the various spiritual restraints around him (John 10:10).
However, in His characteristic mercy, our God is ever eager to set the captives free from every form of satanic captivity (John 8:36). He constantly looks down from heaven, pities them in their plight, and exercises His prerogative of mercy to set them free (Psalm 18:2-8, 13-19).
The Most High God is the real “All-In-All”: the Judge, the Lawgiver and the King (Isaiah 33:22). He has all it takes to deliver the captives: “The LORD looseth the prisoners” (Psalms 146:7).
Though He’s the God of peace, yet He readily goes to war whenever necessary, bruising Satan under our feet, to deliver His covenant children (Romans 16:20). He even commissioned and authorized all believers to be involved in this all-important task of casting out devils wherever they’re found (Mark 16:17).
Understanding Satan’s Method of Operation
Basically, man is a tri-partite being. He is a spirit, possesses a soul and lives in the body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). On the other hand, demons are spiritual aggressors, and they always seek out avenues to gain advantage over people to oppress or initiate bondages.
Especially when our guards are down, or when we are spiritually asleep, the enemy may gain advantage through several channels: generational flows, acquisitions, inheritance, environment, association, evil habits, some terrifying experiences, curses or our acts of ungodliness.
Demonic oppression can affect our spirits, souls and bodies in varying degrees. These attacks can result in sicknesses and diseases in the human body. That was the case with the woman who had the issue of blood and the woman who was bent over for eighteen years as recorded in the gospels (Mark 5:25-34; Luke 13:10-17).
In the same way, when the soul — the centre of human intellect, mind, will and emotions — comes under demonic attacks, it can result in bad tempers, depression, hallucinations, mental illnesses, bi-polar tendencies, roving suicidal thoughts, fear, drugs and alcoholic addictions.
In addition to these, inexplicable troubles in serving God, chronic unbelief, witchcraft spiritism and satanism are also common demonic works in the soul’s arena. Albeit, demons cannot get into the spirits of truly born-again Christians.
Our spirits cannot be possessed because they’re the candles of the Lord (Proverbs 20:27). However, demons may oppress our spirits, wherever opportunities arise, by surrounding them like a glass jar surrounds its contents, thus preventing the contents of the jar from fulfilling purpose.
Satan often targets the human mind as his major area of attack. He constantly looks out for loopholes to saturate our surroundings with his aides — the demonic/evil spirits — who receive and carry out his orders.
Moreover, Satan cannot read our minds, only our actions! He carefully studies our personalities, character, weaknesses and strengths to know what to do with us. Unfortunately, in many cases, he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows the exact buttons to push and when.
The Works of Deliverance And Opening of Prison Doors
Bible deliverance is a spiritual art of being liberated, released or freed from satanic bondages, captivities and the snare of the fowler (Psalms 91:3). It is usually administered through prayers of authority to cast out the demons and to get rid of their grips.
True deliverance occurs when we submit ourselves to God’s plan, and resist the devil till he flees. Albeit, the root of the problem has to be addressed by the Word under the unction of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 10:27). Until the root is discovered, addressed and dealt with, the deliverance will remain superficial. The axe must be laid to the root of the demonic trees (Luke 3:9).
It may be helpful at this point to list some types of evil spirits that were referred to in the Bible: familiar spirit (Leviticus 19:31); lying spirit (2 Chronicles 18:22); spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3); seducing spirit (1 Timothy 4:1); dumb spirit (Mark 9:17); foul spirit (Mark 9:25); spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11); spirit of divination (Acts 16:16); spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15); spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12); spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) and spirit of the antichrist (1 John 4:3).
The only weapons that Paul and Silas used in their captivity were prayers and praises unto God! They were bound and immobile but their spirits soared in prayers and praise.
Thereafter, the prison doors were forcefully opened by God’s all-surpassing power. There was a violent earthquake, the prison foundation was shaken and deliverance took place!
See, spiritual earthquakes often occur to shake the foundations of hell at the points of deliverance. Afterwards, the prison doors are open, and the chains are loosed. Never forget: though the prison doors were opened, the prisoners still had to be freed of their chains.
Friends, this is total deliverance, and it’s your portion today, in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Deliverance has come! The doors are opened, the chains are broken, the captives can now freely walk out of the prisons, regardless of what they are! You won’t miss it. Happy Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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