Find Your Freedom

On one of my first trips to a foreign country as a young worship leader I had a strange supernatural experience. When I led worship, and we began to sing spontaneously, two ladies began to crawl on their hands and knees and begin to hiss like angry cats. I didn’t know what was happening and what to do. But later I learned they were under the influence of evil spirits and in the presence of God the demons showed themselves.

It was because of that experience, and many other similar experiences with the supernatural in countries like Greece, Mexico, Alaska, Argentina, Costa Rica, that I began to see a trend. When I began to lead in spontaneous praise those present under the influence of evil spirits would be set free.

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, …Suddenly, …All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (Acts 16:25,26 NLT)

I was experiencing what the Bible says, “You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” (Ps 22:3 NLT) The word “praises” is “tehillah” found in Ps 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise (tehillah) to our God.” This Hebrew word is a fresh never-sung-before song we sing to God in our own words as we are inspired by the Holy Spirit. When that occurs God’s throne – His seat of authority and power – is made evident in that place.

Jack Hayford said, “Worship is the essential key to welcoming the rule of the kingdom of God into human experience…Worship is the primary means for the establishing of an atmosphere a) for the transforming entry of God’s presence (b) for the clear entry of God’s Word (c) for the loving entry of God’s Spirit and (d) for the dynamic entry of God’s works of power.”

How do you find freedom from spiritual darkness? Oppressive onslaughts like depression, addiction, demonic deception and possession can disable and torment us. We can meditate on God’s Word which is a sword of the Spirit that when spoken or sung is powerful weapon of warfare. We can pray and invoke God’s help to deliver us. But there is nothing so powerful and clear in scripture as when God Himself appears in the situation with all His power and authority. That happens when we sing praises to God.

Is God saying to you what He said to Jehoshaphat, who was overwhelmed by his enemies? “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord, who is with you…” (2 Chron 20:17 KJV) This was God’s plan for them and is a powerful key to your freedom.

“Position yourself,” God says. Get in the praise position and sing of God’s greatness. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the (enemy) armies …to start fighting among themselves.” (2 Chron 20:22 NLT)

Singing praises causes God to be enthroned in your praise and in your situation. His presence and power will break every chain that binds.

“Let the high praises (tehillah) of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord! (Ps 149:6-9 ESV). The loud and fervent “tehillah” praises to God, spiritual and spontaneous, are powerful in restricting the movement and abilities of your spiritual enemies.

Spiritual freedom, deliverance (or salvation as the Bible calls it) comes when we sing praise to God. Freedom is a key principle in Biblical music-making. “Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation (deliverance).” (Ps 149:3 BSB) In God’s kingdom freedom is associated with vocal praise.

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, … Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (Acts 16:25,26 NLT)

Do you see the principle? Freedom is connected with singing praise perhaps more than prayer or the sword of God’s word. Though all these weapons are necessary to be fully armed for spiritual combat.

If you are facing spiritual oppression pick up the “key of David” that will unlock the debilitating handcuffs, or the noose you feel around your neck, and place those restrictions on your enemy—the demons and devils that are constantly trying to restrict and constrict you.

Sing praises to God when you feel those attacks. Fill your home and heart with worship to God. Sit and soak in His presence experience what Jehoshaphat, David, Paul and Silas did – freedom! Spending time in Gods manifest presence makes God bigger and our negative thoughts and emotions so much smaller.

Have a blessed week and may His presence be with you, 

LaMar Boschman

Originally posted from Lamarboschman.com