Binding the Strong Man
Hi Friends,
I have two visions to share with you today. One I received last week and one I received only a few days ago. But they both concern power, supernatural power. God’s power is made available to us, when we submit to him in obedience, placing ourselves under his authority. It is through our relationship with Him and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that allows us to pray for, believe in, and experience miracles.
The Visions
The Lasso
I received this vision over a week ago. In this vision, I saw a man on a horse. He had a lasso in his right hand high over his head. He threw it out to capture a calf. I assumed it was for the purpose of branding the calf.
When I first received this vision, I thought of how God pursues us to capture our hearts and make us his. I also thought about how, in the Book of Revelation, the Lord sends his angels out to mark the foreheads of true believers with a seal, so as to protect them from the coming wrath of God.
But after praying, I believe that the man with the lasso in the vision represents an angel who is dispatched when we battle in the spirit through prayer, declaration and through binding and in loosening. Jesus told the disciples how they could partner with God to advance his kingdom through binding and loosening:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19
The man in the vision, with his lasso, captured the calf and bound it, so it could not get away. In the supernatural or spirit, we bind up the demonic powers operating in a certain situation. Then the Lord releases his angels who actually engage the devil and his demons to restrain them. Binding things, powers, and entities that cause sickness, disease and bondage to sin is an essential aspect of spiritual warfare and effective intercession. When we command the powers of darkness to loosen someone from their control, the Lord’s angels force the enemy to do just that. The church needs to move in spiritual authority and power over the devil and his demons so that people who are bound up can be set free to live a victorious life.
It is Jesus who has all authority. Wherever he went, demons manifested. They knew who he was and immediately submitted to his authority. That was not so for the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who failed to recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Envious of his power and influence, they resisted him at every turn. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law, did not teach or move in the power of God because they were not submitted to him.
“You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ” Matthew 15:7-9
You may be familiar with the passage in the Book of Acts that speaks of the seven sons of Sceva who were going about casting out demons. They used the name Jesus to do so, but they did not carry the authority that he did.
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” Acts 19:13-16
These men used the name of Jesus, but they lacked authority. They may have understood how to cast out demons for they had seen the Lord do it. They had some success up to that point. But we need to know the Lord. We need to be intimately connected to Him and walk in holiness if we want to have real spiritual authority.
The demons know who we are too. They know our lifestyle, our faith, and our commitment to God. They know whether we are genuinely faithful and fully surrendered to Him, or if we are just going through the motions. They will not respect us nor submit to our authority unless we are faithful and obedient to God. When we walk with him they will see that the Lord has given us his authority.
As I shared in my last post: “Powers of Darkness - Crashing Down,” the Lord can direct us regarding such things by giving specific instructions. He demands obedience. In the post, I described my intentions to confront my sister with what she was doing. But the Lord stopped me saying: “Do not go where I have not sent you. Give her the same chance I gave you.”
Had I not been obedient, I might have caused her to become more defensive so as to resist the Lord’s efforts to reach her. I could have set Him back ten years or more.
But there will be times when we need to use the authority of God to resist the enemy in spiritual warfare. Jesus corrected the Pharisees and instructed his disciples saying:
“Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.” Mark 3:27
The strong man that Jesus is referring to is the devil or his demons. What the strong man has as his possession is a person bound by sin. When we give in to sin, the devil and his demons are given authority over us. With repeated sin, we give place to the devil. We are then taken captive and the demons hold sway over us. If however, we repent of our sin, often the demon goes immediately. But with a sin that has become a real stronghold, we may need a full deliverance. In this case, the strong man or demon needs to be bound first, and then we can plunder his house and free the one taken captive.
“In your anger, do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26
When we sin, and refuse to forgive someone, we give the devil a foothold, because sin without repentance leads to bondage. Some people think nothing of taking something that does not belong to them. If there is no repentance or remorse they will most likely repeat the offense. Eventually this sin becomes a habit and a lifestyle. The Lord then “gives them over to their sin.”
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:21-25
Sinful desires are natural to the man who is not born of the Spirit of God. And, without the conviction of sin, he will follow his deceiving heart and take the path to greater sin and greater bondage. Our hearts break when we see people that are in torment and need to be set free.
Jesus came to set the captives free. Reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah regarding himself, Jesus declared:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,” Luke 4:18
Because Jesus wants to see people living in freedom, he has made a way for us, his disciples, to set the captives free.
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:12:13
And the Apostle Paul states:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:19
This next vision also concerns the power of God:
The Extension Cord
In this next vision, I saw a blue extension cord that was laid out like the letter S. There were no tangles, knots or kinks, and no binding or strapping to coil it up. It was ready to use.
An extension cord is used to provide power at a distance from the source, as well as to provide more plug-in locations than a simple duplex outlet in a wall. The color blue gives significance to the vision and meaning to the extension cord. Blue, from a Biblical perspective usually represents God, or heaven. Because the extension cord is blue we should then know that the power that flows through the electrical cord comes from God. God, in heaven is the source of all power, and he allows his power to flow to and through us here on this earth. He gives us his power to minister healing and deliverance as a sign that confirms the gospel, the good news of salvation for those who believe.
“My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Jesus expects signs to follow his believers, not just the apostles or those disciples living in the first century. His words are timeless and they are for everyone.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” Mark 16:17-18
The words that prefaced the quote above tells us what is truly important. The Lord wants his people to move in power, and to share the gospel with everyone. This is the Great Commission: And he said to them:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
By this we see that it is in the sharing of the Gospel, that the signs, wonders, and the power of God is revealed. The power of God confirms the message of the Gospel. When people hear the good news, they will know that it is true because the signs that follow provide the authenticity of the signature and the authority of God.
Notice in this passage, Jesus connects the power of the Holy Spirit with the ability to be witnesses of him:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
The power to do miracles creates belief in non-believers. It demonstrates that one has the approval of God. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, noted that Jesus had to be a man of God, because of the miracles that he was able to perform.
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” John 3:2
If we want to be witnesses for Jesus, we need the power of God to demonstrate that the witness and the message of the Gospel is true. It is authentic. It is approved by God.
And how did the disciples receive power? They waited in Jerusalem for what the Lord had promised them:
“And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
And what was it that they were to receive? It was a Baptism of the Holy Spirit and with fire. It was the power to be witnesses. It was the power to overcome the devil. It was the power to perform miracles, signs and wonders. These were the words of John the Baptist regarding Jesus:
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Mathew 3:11
This is the power of God, which many churches today deny. We cannot ignore the gift of God. We cannot think that we can manage without his power. Who are we to deny the very words of God? Some churches do not experience the move of God or his miracles simply because they have no faith to believe. They believe that miracles, signs and wonders, healing and deliverance was for the early church and that God “doesn’t do miracles anymore.” What a shame!
I had a dog years ago that became terribly sick from being poisoned. We thought the dog would not survive the first night, but we prayed and she survived. A few days later the dog developed tremors, she shook for over two weeks. I thought there had been permanent nerve damage. But we kept praying. When the tremors left and blindness set in. Unbelievable! My daughter and I continued praying and suddenly one morning our dogs eyes changed from an opaque baby blue to a rich chocolate brown and she could see! When we told the doctor all that had happened, he said, “That never happens. Once the eyes become blind nothing can reverse it!” It was truly a miracle!
On one occassion, two ladies besides myself decided to pray at the church from 10:00p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for a month. On the first night, one of the ladies came in upset for her employer found out the the child she was carrying in her womb was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. After praying with them, I told the woman to have her friend get a second opinion. She went the very next day and had a second amniocentesis. The doctor said that the test result revealed that her baby was perfectly fine. We got to hold the baby after it was born. God is good!
On another occassion I prayed for a baby that was wrapped up in fabric bandages because of a terrible skin condition. The baby’s face looked as if he were in torment. The mom said that they had been to several doctors but no one could do anything for him. I grabbed a couple of homeschooling moms near by and we prayed. Just a couple of weeks later I saw the mother with the baby. The baby was perfectly fine, with beautiful skin. God is good!
Praise the Lord! All three of these miracles we prayers of agreement. There is power when we gather in the name of Jesus.
“Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
And when you have faith to believe:
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
The Lord wants us to move in his power. We need to be available. But we need the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and with fire! This is how we can fulfill the call of God. He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit when we ask.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13
If you are not Baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, then I would ask you to seek God for this greater infilling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. If the Lord told his disciples not to go out, not to leave Jerusalem, but wait until they had received the power from on high, shouldn’t we consider it important as well?
Let us take the Lord’s words as truth, for they are life! Let us carry out the Great Commission, motivated by the heart of God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s power will then be revealed in us. We will see answers to prayers, miracles, salvations and deliverance. Hallelujah!
If you are sincere. If you truly want to do God’s will, and bring him glory, then please pray with me to receive this greater measure of the Holy Spirit!
A Prayer to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Dear Jesus,
I am yours. I surrender my life entirely to you. Do with me as you will. Fill me with your precious Holy Spirit. Baptize me with fire and the Holy Spirit. Give me the evidence that you have anointed me to do your will, by giving me the gift of speaking in tongues. Help me to pray without ceasing. Help me to pray in the Spirit with tongues. Help me to be sensitive to your leading. I want to be obedient. Help me to be faithful and not to doubt or succumb to fear. I commit my ways to you. Holy Spirit, Baptize me now with your fire! Amen
Now– Please know that when you attempt to speak in other tongues, you have to give it breath. Even if you start with a simple syllable like “la.” The Holy Spirit will take over and his words will fill your mouth. Do not worry that you do not know what you are saying. Pray with your mind, and allow the words to come forth. God will put upon you people for whom you are to pray. Pray in the spirit all the time!
“Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
Praying in the Spirit will build you up. Your spirit will be edified as you pray. You will draw closer to God and he will begin to reveal things to you more and more.
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:27
“What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”
1 Corinthians 4:15
So I hope you will pray in the Spirit, sing in the Spirit, and move in the Spirit.
“For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
In my last post, “Powers of Darkness-Crashing Down,” I have included prayers for salvation, deliverance and for breaking “generational curses,” and “soul-ties.” I hope you will click on this link if you or a loved-one needs to pray for such things.
Please share this post. God bless you!
