Shut the Door!

Shut the Door!

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Since October 31st falls on Sunday this year, I want to address some things we need to be mindful when it comes to the spiritual aspect of how our enemy the Devil brings bondage into people’s lives.

2Co 2:11 “…For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (NIV)

Text: John 8:31-33, Genesis 4:3-7

At the beginning of man’s interaction with the spiritual, this verse points out a truth I want to look at today.

There are doors into our lives, and when we open the door to our enemy, he will gain ground to harass, keep in bondage and fear, and oppress us.
I can be a Christian, going to heaven when I die, and still have bondage in my life designed to keep me from living in the freedom that is my heritage, and my right.

There are extremes in the way people think when it comes to this topic.
I think both lead to bondage.
1. There are no such things as demons. Christians can’t be in bondage. 2. Demons are the source of anything wrong that happens – flat tires, stub
toes, car wrecks, broken windows, etc.

John 8:31-33
I’m not sure what these people were thinking when they said “We have never been in bondage to anyone.”

Throughout the O.T. every time they turned away from God, He allowed them to go into bondage. Right there in Jerusalem as they were talking they were under the Roman control.

When a lifestyle becomes “normal”, you don’t realize it’s not normal.
If as a child my atmosphere is chaos and trauma, that is my norm.

I believe the first step to being free from the bondage from the enemy is to recognize that I don’t have freedom.

From there, I focus on different steps to living free.

After bring His people out of bondage in Egypt, and God was bringing the Hebrew people into relationship and covenant, He clearly told them not to have anything to do with culture and practices of the people He was removing before them.

"Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods?” Deu 12:30

Why? Because it’s possible for me to open a door to the enemy into my life, and ignorantly allow him access to me, my home atmosphere, my family, my children, my children’s children.

And the whole time, I think this is normal living – “I’m not in bondage.”

Dutch Sheets – “Give Him 15” Guard your heart – Oct.25. (You Tube)
What I allow into my heart, I become.

Then I live with that “normal” and wonder why life is hard.

If I don’t deal with bondages in my life, it passes on to my family. – To My Children! (Num.14:18)

Gal. 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
It is VERY possible to become entangled again with bondage.

In Lu 9:54-55, Jesus and His disciples were being rejected by the Samaritans: “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”

In Mt 16:22-23, Jesus started teaching bout His coming death: “Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

What are some doors that can be opened to the enemy? Unforgiveness.
Saying no to the things of God.

Occult practices –horoscope, playing with magic, watching satanic movies (any movie that induces fear), séances, casting spells, etc.
Generational curses against my family line.

On You Tube: Dutch Sheets – “Give Him 15” Guard your heart – Oct.25.
Robert Morris – “Free Indeed” series (Gateway Church)

Pray This:
God would you show me any door I have opened to the enemy?
Any place I live with bondage?
What lie have I believed?