Monday, November 6, 2006

Forbidding and Permitting

Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. (Matthews 18:18 Amplified Bible)
Here is an amazing statement Jesus made to His disciples; amazing because it empowers them with all the authority of heaven to act upon the earth. Read, mark and inwardly digest what this means about the coming together of heaven and earth:
  • Whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven.
  • Whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.
Of course, in order to exercise this authority, you have to know what is going on in heaven — what is forbidden, and what is permitted. You have to be able to “see” what heaven is about. As Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God in heaven and on earth. In Matthew’s Gospel, it is also called the “kingdom of heaven.”

Unless a person is “born again,” he cannot see the kingdom of heaven. In the Greek text, the words for “born again” actually mean to be born from above. In other words, this new birth is one that takes place in the realm of heaven. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, and we receive it through faith in Jesus Christ. Without this new birth from above, we will not be able to see, understand or participate in what heaven is all about. On the other hand, when we are born of the Spirit of God, we are enabled by Him to see into the spiritual and understand what is going on in the kingdom of heaven.

Now, God’s plan is to bring everything in heaven and earth together in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10). It is toward this end that Jesus has given us the authority to forbid on earth what is forbidden in heaven, and permit on earth what is permitted in heaven. For example:
  • Sin is not permitted in heaven. So you do not have to allow it to have any dominion over you. Instead, you can allow the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign in your heart.
  • Sickness and disease have no place in heaven. So you do not have to allow it to have any place in your body or on those you love. When you see sickness or disease in someone, you have the authority of heaven to forbid it and declare it to be improper and unlawful. You also have the authority to release the healing power and health of heaven on the earth.
  • Lack and poverty are forbidden in heaven. So you can declare that it is improper and unlawful for it to be in your life and in your home. Instead, you can declare that the abundance and provision of heaven is lawful and proper, and release it to meet all your needs.
  • There is no demonic oppression in heaven. So you can forbid demonic influences to have any place in your life. Instead, you can be continually filled and led by the Holy Spirit.
  • God is love, and everything about heaven fully reflects that. So you can release the love of God on earth wherever it is needed.
If you know the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been given great authority. Everything in heaven now belongs to you, so your life is very important upon earth. What will you do with that authority? What are you forbidding on earth? What are you permitting? Does it correspond with what is forbidden and what is permitted in heaven?

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