Spirit Of Heaviness

Isaiah 61:1-7 (The Message) The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken,Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn,To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory.They'll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage.They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new.You'll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields,But you'll have the title "Priests of God," honored as ministers of our God.You'll feast on the bounty of nations, you'll bask in their glory.Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt,Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.

When things happen to us, they come from two sources- natural occurrences or they are spiritual. For example, if I overeat I will get sick on my stomach- that’s a natural occurrence. But then there are some things that are spiritual in nature. The heaviness that is mentioned in the verse above is not a “natural” thing but it is a “spirit”- it is the “spirit of heaviness”. The scriptures also tell us that there is a “spirit of fear”. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) It’s one thing to be “concerned” about something but it’s another to have a terrifying, gripping fear-- that's when it’s a “spirit of fear” that is attacking you- it’s not natural.
So, what is a “spirit of heaviness” and how do we deal with it? The Hebrew definition for “heaviness” in this verse means: to grow dull, faint, be dim, darkness, despond (to become disheartened or discouraged). The dictionary defines it, in this sense, as: without vivacity or interest; ponderous; dull (not lively or spirited). Jesus addressed this issue of “heaviness”. “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.“ (Matthew 13:14,15) Since this is an evil spirit it’s primary purpose is to “kill, steal and destroy”. It wants to keep you from hearing the truth- the Word of God, or even having a desire to know the truth. It tries to make you despondent and faint. It’s main purpose is to steal your praise.
Why is it after your praise? Because praise will shake prison doors and set the oppressed free. Praise ushers in the presence of God. Praise is a powerful weapon. Through it battles are won. What do I mean by that? God has given us the keys of the kingdom. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) If you look up the definition of key, you will find that it has many meaning. There is a twofold purpose and meaning in the keys that the Lord has given to His children. The first one represents spiritual authority. Whoever has the keys has the power. At the jail, the jailer has the keys, he possess the authority to open the door and let you out or lock the door and hold you as a prisoner. I have keys to get into my house. That means I have the legal authority to enter. If you don’t have a key to my house, the only way you are going to get in without me inviting you in is by breaking in like a thief. Possessing the keys means that I have been given spiritual authority- the legal right by God- over the “spirit of heaviness” and I can “bind” it’s influence. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

Have A Blessed Week