From World's Bondage to Walking in Christ's Freedom

John 12: 31-33 - Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 

Col 2: 15 - Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 

Though it appeared as if Jesus was helpless when hanging on the cross, He actually did a powerful thing. When Jesus said 'It is finished" he disarmed the weapons the enemy on the cross. The ruler of the world - Satan - was cast out. The blood of Jesus became the certificate that Satan was defeated; for His children it is certificate of victory. 

However, these verses contradict other verses in the scripture and what we can see happening around us everyday. Even though Satan is defeated and cast out why is he still active in the world and prowling like a lion to devour whom he can find? If we are Christians, why is there still warfare? Why is there still suffering? Why does the devil still attack?

When a person says "I believe in the cross" the holy spirit immediately comes into his life. In an instant the power of the enemy has been cast out from him. Immediately he is in Christ. Outside Christ is judgement. Inside Christ there is life, love and forgiveness. Whoever rejects Christ the judgement is upon them.

Yet again the question - why do we still suffer?

We see two spirits in operation. All things happening in the world is either the spirit of the world that is from Satan or the spirit from God, the Holy Spirit. 

1 Cor 2: 12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 

Our Spirit is sealed with Jesus and is in the heavenly places. However, our body is still in the world. The struggle is now for our soul. 

What is the soul? The soul consists of our mind, emotions, will etc. The soul has to struggle between the spirit of the world and the Holy Spirit.

What is the spirit of the world?

1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  

The spirit of the world has its desires for the things of the world and is in opposition to the Holy Spirit. When money, material things, positions, or even people close to us (Mammon) become idols, they start to control our life.

Gal 5: 16 -17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another 

We are called to walk in the Spirit. But how to walk in the Spirit? Especially when our body (eyes and ears) are seeing and hearing things that are of the world. Also, we carry the desires of our sinful nature and continue to walk in the flesh. 

Every spiritual food has a smell. The world is filthy and it stinks. We are walking everyday in this world full of crap. We consume the world and smell like it. We are influenced by the world and we also influence the world.

The struggle begins in the soul. The battle begins in the mind. We need a daily washing in the word. We are called to 'taste and see' the fragrance of Jesus. 

When covered with spirit then you are in a bubble because you are covered and protected. There are no lies. You are hearing and seeing things that are different from what the world sees only with the physical body.

How to walk in the Spirit? Three things to do:

- Study the Word of God and meditate on it

- Have communion with the Holy Spirit, that is Prayer

- Fellowship with the people of God

Work to enter the rest of God and let your mind be overtaken by the spirit. 

Gal 5: 24-25 - And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Only way Satan can get to you is through messages. Be alert of what message you get from the world. Move in freedom. Shake off the dust. Let the enemy not have dominion over you. 

Eph 2:6 - [Christ has] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Jesus is drawing everyone to him. He has raised us up. 

The crucifixion is a defeat to Satan. His resurrection is a defeat to Satan. He did not stay on earth. He ascended to heaven and drew us up to Him.

Walk in freedom, walk in the joy of the Lord. 

Ask Jesus to show you the heavenly places where we are seated with him. If we too busy watching the movies of the world, how will see the heavenly places. It is more real than anything in this world. Above all the powers and principalities. 

If a person comes to you who is in darkness and you speak to them, then a fire/spark is transferred to them. Others can catch your fire. Pray that God will fan the fire and grow it.

When Goliaths (troubles) come to you, don't dorwn in it. Don't magnify your problems, magnify the Lord.

Rom 10: 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  

Shift the book - from the world to the Word. Just like the world can hook us with a message, the Word of God can hook us to truth and freedom.

John 8:32 - the truth will set you free.

2 Cor 3:17 - where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

Some important points:

Though we forgive people when they prosecute us, God judges them.

Worship can never happen in flesh but only through the Holy Spirit.

Christians are called to walk on water. This is the normal for us. Walking on land is for natural people. 

Do you carry the stink of the world or the fragrance of the Spirit?

The free bowl of soup (small compromises that look harmless) looks inviting and harmless, but it is a trap. 

If we are not walking in the Spirt we are taken over by the world.