You Have the Keys

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)

When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave believers the keys of the kingdom of heaven. If you are given keys, it means you have the authority to use those keys. What do keys do? They lock and unlock things. They bind and they loose.

Bind means to tie up. Have you ever seen the rodeo? In the rodeo, cowboys lasso a young steer and tie up their front and hind legs so they can’t move. That’s the idea of what you and I are called to do to demonic powers or any of the plans of the enemy. Demons don’t stand a chance against you when you use your kingdom keys.

Christians sometimes focus on binding the devil, but Jesus told us to do more than that. We are supposed to loose angels to work on our behalf and help us accomplish God’s will. Then, loose angels by speaking God’s Word. Psalm 103:20 says angels hearken to the voice of God’s Word. Too many angels are inactive because believers aren’t speaking God’s Word and releasing them to do what God created them to do. Hebrews 1:14 says they are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. They are ministers for you; they have been assigned and are waiting for you to loose them to do their job.

Practical Application

When something happens that frustrates you, scares you, or tries to get your emotions into a spin, use your authority and verbally bind the works of the enemy. You have the keys. When you need strength, support, or direction, command your angels to go before you and prepare your way by speaking God’s Word. You have the keys to bind and loose on the earth; now, go ahead and use them!

Matthew 16:19; Revelation 3:7

Them that Believe

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18)

Miracles aren’t supposed to be random occurrences. Miracles should be a part of the regular Christian life. Jesus didn’t say, “These signs might follow.” He said, “These signs shall follow.” That means it’s going to happen, and we should expect it. God wants believers to live a life of supernatural adventures in faith.

The first thing Jesus said we should expect was that we would cast out devils. How? Jesus said we do it in His name. The word name in the Greek is onoma. It means the authority and character of Jesus. When faced with any form of spiritual attack, remember the authority you carry in the name of Jesus. It’s not just a word; it’s the very authority and character of Christ Himself flowing through you.

Jesus also promised that believers would speak with new tongues. Embrace the gift of tongues, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through you in a language beyond your understanding. When you pray in tongues, you strengthen and edify your spirit.

The next thing that Jesus listed was that believers would take up serpents and if they drank any deadly thing, it would not harm them. Now, this isn’t meant as an excuse to test God by putting yourself purposely in dangerous situations. We don’t drink poison or handle snakes to prove anything. However, if we encounter a venomous snake or poison in our food, God will protect us. We can trust in God’s promises of safety and boldly face danger without fear.

The last thing Jesus told us was that believers would lay hands on the sick, and they would recover. So, step out in faith, lay hands on the sick, and trust in the authority and character of Jesus to heal.

Practical Application

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal opportunities for you to step out in boldness and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through you in miracles, signs, and wonders. This isn’t just for Christians with titles; it’s for them that believe.

Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7

Don’t Let the Devil Pounce

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

You have an enemy, but he only has the power that you let him have. Perhaps you noticed that 1 Peter 5:8-9 does not call the devil an attacking lion; he’s described as a roaring one. Lions don’t roar when they are about to attack. They roar to intimidate their enemy and to get other threats out of their territory. Lions are silent when they’re about to pounce on their prey because their roar would make them run.

Peter wrote to the Christians in his day and to us, saying that Satan constantly walks around trying to find an opportunity to intimidate God’s people. Sometimes it works. People hear about threats and sickness and dangers, and they become so fearful they’re immobilized; then the devil can attack. In fact, the Greek word for walketh about is peripateó. It means to continually circle around in the same way repeatedly. The devil will try the same temptations, the same attacks, and the same words just to see if one day you might give up and let him take you out.

The devil is not as capable as he pretends to be. That’s why Peter told us to be sober and vigilant; when we’re aware and attentive, we can always beat him with God’s Word. To be sober is to abstain from alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Some people get intoxicated with wine, but others get intoxicated by their emotions. Peter was telling us to live life so such things do not cloud our minds, so we don’t give the enemy an opportunity to attack. Peter also told us is to be vigilant. That simply means to be watchful. We should guard our thoughts, words, and places we go so the enemy can’t take us out.

Practical Application

How sober and vigilant are you? Ask the Holy Spirit to check your heart and see if there is anything you need to change with your life to get out of any addiction or distraction that might allow the devil to pounce.

John 8:44; Ephesians 4:27