SOZOLIFE - HEALING

By Steve Scroggs

It’s a true story not all that different from yours. Like me, you may have walked up behind someone taking your name in vain. The accusations hurt, the facts sketchy, but the betrayal went all the way to the bone. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus knew what he was talking about! God’s process to heal the end time warrior’s soul is sozo – the Greek word translated saved, delivered, healed, and made whole. The Apostle Paul said, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (sozoed)”.[1]

A New York Artist

When a troubled forty-something man arrived, the smell of apple blossoms floated on the fresh sunlight. He was well-known in his New York City community as the He-man tuff-guy, a brilliant tattoo artist, with a strong Bronx accent. He wanted all the right things for his family, but those who defied his personal sense of justice survived wounded in the wake.

His wake began in his teen years after suffering inhumane abuse. One day as he stood to subdued his step-father, an almost euphoric feeling swelled up within him, moved him to a bystander position, and took control of his body. He was never hit again, but he made a pact with an unclean spirit.

This complicated his marriage and family relationships. After almost thirteen years of a court moderated divorce, he has begun to experience the same feelings coming up inside him toward his not-so-understanding defiant son. He said, “I know if I keep this spirit my relationship with my son will be destroyed. I sense the swelling in me when my son disrespects me, and I know it is just a matter of time. Can you help me?”

Jesus Speaks to the Soul

The “shadow play” concerning unclean spirits is surrounded with mystery. We don’t want to talk about the highly deceptive and extremely controlling fallen angels who are tasked with our destruction. But Jesus spoke to our freedom.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Just as you have guardian angels to protect you, you also have familiar (family) spirits; demons that travel blood-lines to visit the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.[2] “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.”[3] The artist’s enemy was not his step-father. Although demons exist invisible to the natural eye, they incite others against you. This attack exploits your fear, doubt, and unbelief. The battle originates in the mind. John’s heavenly vision shows us how to win.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. … for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time.[4]

The key is Jesus Christ. When you share a personal relationship, you receive salvation, strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. Salvation is soteria from the Greek soter - savior, deliverer, and speaks of the complete redemption received from our infinite King-Savior.[5] Strength is dynamis – inherent miraculous power residing and enacted by virtue of His nature. Kingdom is basileia – the sovereign authority to rule all realms of creation simultaneously. Power is exousia – privilege of authority one exercises in judicial decisions...[6] The authority to rule comes from God, and the privilege of mastery comes from the Anointed One. Since Jesus was revealed to destroy the works of the devil, when he left, he gave that commission to you.[7]

There is Healing

The devil that controlled the artist stayed at his bidding. As the Spirit of truth opened his memories he received a new perspective. When he was a teen-ager, he took matters into his own hands, cried out for help to overpower his abuser, and summoned an unclean spirit. Jesus said, But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. When he submitted to the rule and reign of God, Christ set him free. But, how did his soul reason with God?  

First, he was saved by confessing the sin of unforgiveness. His choice to harbor years of bitterness fostered a lie, “I have a right to be wounded, and defend myself through whatever means necessary, and subsequently use the pain to protect myself.” This decision linked his destiny to fallen angels, and left the forgiveness and comfort of the Holy Spirit in the dust.[8] His new confession, “I have a right to defend the kingdom, but I will forgive anyone who offends me. I will trust and solicit the help of God and His angels to protect me.”

Second, he was healed by repenting of his personal sense of justice that said, “You are abusive and will always intimidate. Therefore, I will arouse whatever power necessary to dominate you. You will not hurt me or my family again.” These judgments approved the devil’s strategy, and left “walk in the Spirit” and “trust in God” stranded.[9] His new confession, “I will honor and respect those in authority over me, and confront the principalities with the anointing of God in truth. And then appeal to the Father for power and authority.”   

Third, he was made whole by confessing the sin of idolatry - implementing vows that made himself god, like… “I will never let anyone hurt me like that again. I will not trust anyone who hurts me. So, when I sense the same violent abuse, I will send my defender.” When he opened this door he failed the grace of God.[10] His new profession, “I confess the sin of idolatry, and I give my life to the only true God. I will cry out for his help in my time of need. I will fight the good fight of faith, receive what God allows, and then obtain healing from His hand.”

 Fourth, he was delivered by casting the demon away. After you replace the legal stronghold with truth the demonic has no right to stay.[11] His commandment, “By the authority of the Word of God, and through the power of the Blood of Jesus, I bind you unclean spirit of intimidation and murder in Jesus’ name. You will leave my life now; you will leave my body now in Jesus’ name. I do not want you, I do not need you, and I renounce any involvement with you. Leave, and present yourself before the throne of God according to Job chapter one and verse six. And, do not return to me in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Fifth, he was healed when the perfect love of God entered his soul.[12] He was cured from almost twenty-five years of demonic abuse, and he literally looked ten years younger.

God wants his children to live in Shalom by resolving their past in the context of truth. He said, “Come now, and let us reason together… though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...”[13] When the human soul is subjected to trauma, deceptions will prevail from the soul unless one comes and reasons with the Father. The Apostle Paul called this, “…transformed by the renewing of your mind…”[14] God loves the human soul and gave his life’s blood to redeem it. Teaching the sons of God how to process their soul with the Spirit of truth releases them to become a cleansed and purified Temple of God, possessed by the Holy Spirit.