POSTED 23 APRIL, 2004

Have It Your Way!

by Mark Huey
mhuey@outreachisrael.net

An interesting thought crossed my mind today as a convergence of input linked some things together. Is it possible that while the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is pouring out understanding about the Messianic movement and a life of Torah obedience, that a reciprocal falling away is occurring contemporaneously? Let me explain.

There is no doubt that an incredible move of the Holy Spirit is currently underway. We frequently receive reports from isolated parts of the globe that born again Believers are being touched with some kind of “revelation” about their Hebraic Roots. Testimony after testimony describes how these astounded Believers know that they are connected to Israel. But on the other hand, it appears that where grace is abounding, evil seems to also be abounding. In spite of a return to obedience on the part of many faithful, a lawless or antinomian spirit is discernibly intensifying on multiple planes.

When we consider the fact that what happens in the natural realm often reflects what is happening in the spiritual realm, it appears that even the creative geniuses of Madison Avenue are listening to some nefarious voices. In a clever, nostalgic way to return hungry hamburger eaters to their roots, the advertising company hired by Burger King came up with a campaign to reinvigorate the old slogan: “Have it your way!” In an article published a few weeks ago, the “hot” advertising company recommended that Burger King go to the expense of reconfiguring all of their retail operations with doors that swing both ways, so that those entering their restaurants can either pull or push their way into the facilities. With the slogan prominently displayed, the point “Have it your way!” is clearly made.

This concept, coupled with what I have been recently witnessing in the Messianic world, brought to mind a concept that is often used in deliverance ministry, when one specifically talks about the “opening of doors to your soul through willful disobedience.” Without getting into all of the details about deliverance, I believe that when a human person willfully chooses to participate in sin, he or she opens up legal access from the demonic world that is bound by the constrictions of God’s Word. Simply put: when people disobey God, they must suffer the consequences. Until one confesses and repents of the flagrant transgression—in order to “close the door”—the enemy has legal grounds to continue his harassment. The most common transgression that plagues people under demonic influence is the problem with not forgiving someone else for an offense. The Messiah is very clear about how this works, and if you want His words for clarification, please read Matthew 18:15-35.

I ask you, it possible that the doors of unrepentant souls are now being reconfigured with two-way hinges?

Consider the following example that contributed to my thought convergence. In recent months, I have been ministering to a friend of eighteen years who has been saved since 1980, who, just a few weeks ago, finally dealt with some unforgiveness that he had been harboring since 1989. For fifteen years, according to his testimony, the tormentors have been impeding his ability to move forward in his walk with the Lord. Since October 1, 2003, when he saw the importance of greater obedience to God’s Word—in his case keeping Shabbat—he has slowly embraced more and more about his being a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel. In our Father’s amiable way, through a variety of circumstances, He mercifully spoke above the din of the tormentors and the “open door” of unforgiveness was slammed shut. Now my friend is already reaping the spiritual benefits of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit more clearly!

Conversely, it appears that even people who claim to be Messianic—and I think should know better—are still unwilling to deal with soul issues that need reconciliation, repentance, and reclamation. Even though the Torah is increasingly being faithfully taught and studied, many refuse to recollect their past trespasses and transgressions (especially forgiving one another) that create the “open doors.” Many are unwilling to examine the critical spiritual issues that the Torah speaks about. The spirit of “doing your own thing,” coupled with “having it your own way,” is still a challenge that many continue to struggle with as the Holy Spirit returns us to the ancient paths. And yet, the very prayer of Messiah Yeshua that is memorized by countless millions as they come into the faith, has seemingly meaningless applications:

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matthew 6:9-15).

My dear brothers and sisters—many of whom are coming into a Messianic walk—please consider shutting doors that still might be open to your souls. Do not let the upgrade to “two-way hinges,” which allow demonic forces to move back and forth at will to torment you, be installed in your hearts. Instead, pray that the Holy Spirit would bring to mind any and all doors that you may have willfully constructed sometime during your life. Then, take the time to close and seal those openings so that you will be able to present yourself to the Lord in a manner that reflects the move of His Spirit—and not the spirit of this age.

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.