And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
Isaiah 10:27 (KJV)
TESTIMONY:
About 4 weeks ago a brother in Christ who I had ministered a little over a year ago reached out to me about something he was dealing with. One thing particular that was bothering him was the fact that he chewed tobacco. He said he felt like the Lord was dealing with his heart to quit. He had never really thought about it much before. It didn’t bother him, but now it was. He told me that he wanted to quit. I told him that was the Holy Spirit dealing with him and leading him to put it down. I shared some scripture with him and told him that because of his humility and desire to be obedient to the Lord, the Lord will deliver him this day from that addiction. I prayed a prayer of agreement with him and took authority over that bondage in his life in the name of Jesus and commanded that spirit to leave his presence and never come back!
It’s been just past a month now and my friend has not put another ounce of tobacco in his body since the second we said amen in accordance to cursing that bondage in his life! When I followed up about this particular vice that had been a part of his life, I had asked him about the tobacco. He said he hasn’t even had a desire – Glory to God! There’s Power in the Name of Jesus! I have had the opportunity to pray for others over the years that have been bound by a fleshy habit that ultimately steals their confidence to go to God and be in faith. Everyone who comes for help in truth and humility gets set free. I have found it to be true in the ministry, God, has placed me in, and true in the testimonies of others.
Most people I have prayed for that have been delivered have gotten this distinct look on their face. I remember the first time I prayed for someone to be delivered and they got this distinct look. It was a look of wonder and searching, almost like a look of, what’s wrong? I remember asking the Lord on the inside – what is wrong? The Lord spoke to me on the inside and said, “they are looking for it, but can’t find it, I (the Lord), delivered them…” I remember immediately saying to this individual, “You’re looking for it, but you can’t find it, can you?” The Lord delivered them, and they could tell. It was foreign to be free for a moment, but the rejoicing always comes in seconds! 1John 1 tells us that God forgives and cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness. You know when you feel dirty after a workout or long day’s work. You also know after you get a shower and cleaned up you feel different, refreshed, and clean.
*Don’t get used to living bound up, dirty and ashamed, The Lord will deliver all, forgive all and cleanse all who come to Him – every time!
Are you bound by something? A relationship, a habit, an addiction, a trait, sickness…? The list of bondages that fasten themselves, to the believer and non-believer alike, could be a mile long and is not a respecter of persons, per say, but MUST respect and bow to the name of Jesus Christ. It’s in that name that every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess to God that Jesus is Lord. It is the name of Jesus that carries the anointing (POWER) of God, and in His name that bondages are broken off us.
In the book of Luke chapter 4, verse 18-19, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah. He boldly declares, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has ANOINTED Me to…” -and goes on to list 6 things (KJV), the Holy Spirit has anointed Him, Jesus, to do.
Two things the scripture tell us Jesus is anointed to do in this verse are:
- To proclaim liberty to the captives
- To set at liberty those who are oppressed
A definition of a captive is someone who has been captured and can’t escape, like a prisoner of war.
A definition of being oppressed is someone who is being held under an unjust and excessive power of authority.
In this particular passage Jesus is identifying Himself as the messiah. In these two statements Jesus is indicating not only is He the messiah, but also, He is now equipped with the power of the Father God, to set people free who are enslaved by sin and unrighteousness that comes from the power and rule of Satan.
How can we be sure that the anointing is available to work when we pray for individuals or speak to situations/sins we are dealing with in our own lives?
*A few ways to ensure the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life and is on your life for the benefit of others is:
- Having pure motives and walking in humility. The Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). The Bible also says, “…God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” -(James 4:6).
- Knowing that Jesus commissioned believers to do the same works He did. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. -(John 14:12).
*Jesus needed the anointing by the Holy Spirit to do every supernatural thing He did in His ministry. He did not start His earthly ministry until He was baptized in the Jordan river by John –the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him at that moment. You see Jesus was watered baptized and baptized with the Holy Spirit at the same time. Remember, when Jesus came up out of the water the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove -(see Luke 3:22).
- Having received the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts chapter 1 Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father (which was the Holy Spirit and power to go do the works of Jesus). Reading on into chapter 2 we can see they received the Holy Spirit and went out immediately doing the works with signs following.
- Knowing the Word. If we speak what God speaks according to His Word, He is faithful to reveal the truth of His Word. *We receive the boldness and ability to trust His Word by faith, and faith comes by hearing His Word. –(See Romans 10:17).
All glory to God forever and in the name of Jesus!
-Chris Jacobs