living free freedom prayer
TRANSCRIPT
Living FreeLiving FreeDave BuehringDave Buehring
A Brief OverviewA Brief Overview Living FreeLiving Free
Kingdom WorldviewKingdom WorldviewSpiritual StrongholdsSpiritual StrongholdsSpiritual TransactionsSpiritual TransactionsWeapons For a Freedom Weapons For a Freedom LifestyleLifestyle
Habits For The JourneyHabits For The Journey
Kingdom Kingdom WorldviewWorldview
Kingdom WorldviewKingdom Worldview
Your worldview provides the Your worldview provides the context for how you choose to context for how you choose to live your lifelive your life
Your worldview is the sum or Your worldview is the sum or your assumptions and your assumptions and perspective that determine perspective that determine the way you spend your time the way you spend your time and resourcesand resources
Your worldview is Your worldview is shaped by by culture, your family, and your culture, your family, and your faith faith
Walking in freedom is a Walking in freedom is a lifestyle choice rooted in a lifestyle choice rooted in a Kingdom worldview worldview
A Kingdom worldview frames A Kingdom worldview frames how you understand how you understand reality and determines what you and determines what you believe about yourselfbelieve about yourself
A Kingdom worldview is A Kingdom worldview is shaped by shaped by Scripture (God’s character and the ways of God)
The Bible helps us The Bible helps us understand that God desires understand that God desires to to demonstrate His kingdom His kingdom rule on earthrule on earth
The Bible makes it clear that The Bible makes it clear that Satan is Satan is alwaysalways opposed to to the rule and reign of Godthe rule and reign of God
““The thief comes only to steal The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”and kill and destroy.” John John 10:10 (NIV)10:10 (NIV)
A Kingdom understanding of A Kingdom understanding of reality is that spiritual reality is that spiritual warfare is real and we must warfare is real and we must engage in itengage in it
The Spirit of God and Satan The Spirit of God and Satan are at war against each other are at war against each other – and we must remember – and we must remember that Satan is a fallen angelthat Satan is a fallen angel
Satan is aggressively Satan is aggressively seeking to destroyseeking to destroy you, you, rending your liferending your life useless, useless, and rob you of your and rob you of your rightful rightful inheritance ‘in ‘in Christ’Christ’““Your enemy the devil Your enemy the devil prowls around like roaring prowls around like roaring lion looking for someone a lion looking for someone a to devour”to devour” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
A Kingdom worldview A Kingdom worldview underscores the fact that underscores the fact that your inheritance ‘in Christ’ your inheritance ‘in Christ’ is rooted in the fact that you is rooted in the fact that you are a child of Godare a child of God““Now you are no longer a slave Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.”he has belongs to you.” Galatians 4:7 (NLT)Galatians 4:7 (NLT)
Your inheritance ‘in Christ’ is Your inheritance ‘in Christ’ is your Kingdom identity as one your Kingdom identity as one who is favored of Godwho is favored of God““You have been chosen, You have been chosen, predestined, redeemed, predestined, redeemed, forgiven, adopted into God’s forgiven, adopted into God’s family, accepted in the family, accepted in the beloved, made a joint heir, beloved, made a joint heir, given the Holy Spirit as a seal given the Holy Spirit as a seal and guarantee.”and guarantee.” Ephesians 1:3-Ephesians 1:3-1414
A Look at ‘in Christ’A Look at ‘in Christ’Read Ephesians 1Read Ephesians 1Example: ‘in Buehring’Example: ‘in Buehring’A ‘roof’ or ‘covering’ of A ‘roof’ or ‘covering’ of blessings and opportunities blessings and opportunities that are not earned nor that are not earned nor deserveddeserved
Free from sin, no fear of Free from sin, no fear of death, eternal life, authority death, eternal life, authority over Satan, deposit of the over Satan, deposit of the Spirit, etc. Spirit, etc.
Your identity is rooted in Your identity is rooted in the truth about who God the truth about who God says you aresays you areGod says you’re a ‘saint’ God says you’re a ‘saint’ (one who is declared (one who is declared righteous) who sometimes righteous) who sometimes sinssins
Satan says you’re a Satan says you’re a ‘sinner’ because you sin‘sinner’ because you sin
Walking in truth about who Walking in truth about who you are affects how you you are affects how you actGod says your beliefs God says your beliefs about yourself about yourself determine your behavioryour behavior
Satan says your behavior Satan says your behavior tells you what to believe tells you what to believe about yourselfabout yourself
““I praise you because I am I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are made; your works are wonderful, I know that full wonderful, I know that full well.”well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Your inheritance ‘in Christ’ Your inheritance ‘in Christ’ in the Kingdom includes in the Kingdom includes everythingeverything you need to live you need to live the Christian lifethe Christian life
““As we know Jesus better, his As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape promised that you will escape the decadence all around you the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine you will share in his divine nature.”nature.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)
God says you get what you need God says you get what you need from what He has done for youfrom what He has done for you
Satan says you get what you Satan says you get what you need by what you need by what you do for for yourselfyourself
Our flesh always tries to meet Our flesh always tries to meet its needs – its needs – ‘lust of the flesh, ‘lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride lust of the eyes, and the pride of life’of life’ – –
1 John 2:161 John 2:16
Walking in a Kingdom Walking in a Kingdom worldview of who you are worldview of who you are ‘in Christ’ is ultimately an ‘in Christ’ is ultimately an act of worship to God act of worship to God ““I thank you, High God--I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking! Body you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in made! I worship in adoration--what a creation!”adoration--what a creation!” Psalm 139:14 (MSG)Psalm 139:14 (MSG)
Jesus’ worldview was Jesus’ worldview was centered around the centered around the ‘breaking in of the ‘breaking in of the Kingdom’““If you enter a town and it If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’”of God is near you now.’” Luke Luke 10:8-9 (NLT)10:8-9 (NLT)
Jewish concept of the Jewish concept of the KingdomKingdom
Jesus came to earth to Jesus came to earth to establish the Kingdom of Godestablish the Kingdom of GodThe central message of Jesus The central message of Jesus 224 in the gospels / 130 in Matthew224 in the gospels / 130 in Matthew
Mt.4:17 – Jesus: “Repent, for the Mt.4:17 – Jesus: “Repent, for the kingdom…is near” kingdom…is near”
Mt.4:23 - preaching the good news Mt.4:23 - preaching the good news of the kingdomof the kingdom
Mt.6:10 – Your kingdom comeMt.6:10 – Your kingdom comeMt.6:33 – seek first the kingdomMt.6:33 – seek first the kingdom
Parables: ‘The kingdom of Heaven Parables: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is…’is…’ Mt.13:24 – like a man sowed good Mt.13:24 – like a man sowed good
seed in his fieldseed in his field Mt.13:31 – like a mustard seedMt.13:31 – like a mustard seed Mt.13:33 – like yeastMt.13:33 – like yeast Mt.13:38 – like good seedMt.13:38 – like good seed Mt.13:44 – like treasure hidden in Mt.13:44 – like treasure hidden in
a fielda field Mt.13:45,46 – like a merchant Mt.13:45,46 – like a merchant
looking for fine pearlslooking for fine pearls Mt.13:47 – like a net that was let Mt.13:47 – like a net that was let
downdown Mt.13:52,53 – house owner new Mt.13:52,53 – house owner new
and old treasuresand old treasures
Mt.16:19 – keys of the kingdomMt.16:19 – keys of the kingdomMt.18:1-4 – greatest in the Mt.18:1-4 – greatest in the kingdom?kingdom?
Mt.24:14 – gospel of the kingdom Mt.24:14 – gospel of the kingdom preached in the whole worldpreached in the whole world
Lk.10:9 – heal the sick – kingdom Lk.10:9 – heal the sick – kingdom is near youis near you
Lk.17:20,21 – kingdom within youLk.17:20,21 – kingdom within youJn.3:5 – how to enter the kingdomJn.3:5 – how to enter the kingdomJn.18:36 – kingdom not of this Jn.18:36 – kingdom not of this worldworld
Ac.1:3/6– spoke about kingdom for 40 Ac.1:3/6– spoke about kingdom for 40 days/didn’t yet get itdays/didn’t yet get it
Ac.8:12 – Philip preached good news Ac.8:12 – Philip preached good news of the kingdomof the kingdom
Ac.19:8 – Paul speaking about the Ac.19:8 – Paul speaking about the kingdomkingdom
Ac.28:23 – explained/declared the Ac.28:23 – explained/declared the kingdomkingdom
Ac.28:31 – boldly preached the Ac.28:31 – boldly preached the kingdomkingdom
Ro.14:17 – righteousness, peace and Ro.14:17 – righteousness, peace and joyjoy
Re.1:6 – made us to be a kingdom Re.1:6 – made us to be a kingdom Re.11:5 – kingdom of this world – Re.11:5 – kingdom of this world –
kingdom of our Lordkingdom of our Lord Re.12:10 – enemy hurled down Re.12:10 – enemy hurled down
because kingdom comesbecause kingdom comes
Defining the Kingdom Defining the Kingdom Normal usage: a Normal usage: a
territory over which a territory over which a monarch rules - a realm monarch rules - a realm in which the will/power in which the will/power of a king are expressedof a king are expressed
Biblically: Biblically: ‘the arena in ‘the arena in which Jesus rules and which Jesus rules and His will is being done’His will is being done’
One of the ways that Jesus One of the ways that Jesus expressed the Kingdom expressed the Kingdom was by confronting was by confronting evil and the powers opposed to and the powers opposed to God’s rule God’s rule ““The reason the Son of God The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”devil's work.” 1 John 3:8 (NIV)1 John 3:8 (NIV)
Jesus’ ministry demonstrated Jesus’ ministry demonstrated a Kingdom understanding of a Kingdom understanding of living in one world affected living in one world affected by two realmsby two realmsThe The Natural Realm Realm
The visible realm of the The visible realm of the material – all that you can material – all that you can perceive through the perceive through the natural sensesnatural senses
The The Spiritual Realm Realm The ‘heavenlies’, the The ‘heavenlies’, the invisible realm of the invisible realm of the spirit – all that is invisible spirit – all that is invisible in the natural realmin the natural realm
The realm of God, the The realm of God, the Holy Spirit, angelic Holy Spirit, angelic beings, and demonic beings, and demonic beingsbeings
The interface of the The interface of the natural realm and the natural realm and the spiritual realm can be spiritual realm can be referred to as ‘The referred to as ‘The Excluded Middle’Middle’
The Kingdom reality is The Kingdom reality is that you live in this that you live in this ‘Middle’ ground ‘Middle’ ground
Both realms are completely Both realms are completely real Events in one bare directly on Events in one bare directly on events in the otherevents in the other
The realm of the heavenlies is The realm of the heavenlies is not visible to the physical eye.not visible to the physical eye.
HeavenliesHeavenlies Your Your Natural Natural Realm Realm World World RealmRealm
Walking in freedom Walking in freedom involves bringing God’s involves bringing God’s heavenly heavenly Kingdom reality reality to bare in the physical to bare in the physical realm of your life here on realm of your life here on earthearth““For the Kingdom of God is For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power.”living by God's power.” 1 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
Life in the Excluded Life in the Excluded Middle reflects the Middle reflects the realitiesrealities of the interplay of the interplay between the realms of between the realms of heaven and earthheaven and earthJob and Daniel provide Job and Daniel provide ‘behind the scenes’ ‘behind the scenes’ insights into the into the interplay of the two interplay of the two realmsrealms
Job’s physical world Job’s physical world collapses, , from his perspectivefrom his perspective““Job's sons and daughters were Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of having a feast in the home of his oldest son, when someone his oldest son, when someone rushed up to Job and said, rushed up to Job and said, "While your servants were "While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans eating grass, a gang of Sabeans . . . . . .
attacked and stole the oxen attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped was the only one who escaped to tell you." That servant was to tell you." That servant was still speaking, when a second still speaking, when a second one came running up and one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and that killed your sheep and your servants.. . .your servants.. . .
I am the only one who I am the only one who escaped to tell you." Before escaped to tell you." Before that servant finished that servant finished speaking, a third one raced speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped am the only one who escaped to tell you."to tell you."
That servant was still That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped am the only one who escaped to tell you."to tell you." Job 1:13-19 (CEV)Job 1:13-19 (CEV)
What could What could account for Job’s for Job’s collapsing world?collapsing world?Bad Bad luck – Make the best of – Make the best of the bad hand he was dealtthe bad hand he was dealt
He was a closet He was a closet sinner and and needed to clean up his lifeneeded to clean up his life
The sun and rain fall on The sun and rain fall on both the righteous and the righteous and unrighteousunrighteous
Only God really knows…Only God really knows…
What is the perspective behind What is the perspective behind the scenes in Heaven prior to the scenes in Heaven prior to Job’s world collapsing? Job’s world collapsing? ““One day the angels came to One day the angels came to present themselves before the present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. "Where have came with them. "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, "I have been going back LORD, "I have been going back and forth across the earth and forth across the earth . . .. . .
. . . watching everything that's . . . watching everything that's going on." Then the LORD going on." Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth--a man of man in all the earth--a man of complete integrity. He fears complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do God and will have nothing to do with evil." Satan replied to the with evil." Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, Job fears God, but LORD, "Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You not without good reason! You have . . .have . . .
. . . always protected him and . . . always protected him and his home and his property his home and his property from harm. You have made from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" “All right, you to your face!" “All right, you may test him," the LORD you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with . . .you want with . . .
. . . everything he possesses, . . . everything he possesses, but don't harm him but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.”LORD's presence.” Job 1:6- Job 1:6-12 (NLT)12 (NLT)
What happened behind the What happened behind the scenes to scenes to increase Job’s Job’s hardship?hardship?““You tried to trick me into You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn't destroying him, but it didn't work." Satan answered, "A work." Satan answered, "A human would do anything to save human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached would happen if you reached down and took away his health? down and took away his health?
““He'd curse you to your face, He'd curse you to your face, that's what.” God said, "All that's what.” God said, "All right. Go ahead -you can do right. Go ahead -you can do what you like with him. But what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him." mind you, don't kill him." Satan left God and struck Satan left God and struck Job with terrible sores. Job Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from was ulcers and scabs from head to foot.”head to foot.” Job 2:1-7 Job 2:1-7 (MSG)(MSG)
What is the reality Job What is the reality Job experienced back on experienced back on Earth ? ?So Satan left the Lord’s So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job presence, and he struck Job with a terrible case of boils with a terrible case of boils from head to foot. Then Job from head to foot. Then Job scraped his skin with a piece of scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still trying to him, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? . . .maintain your integrity? . . .
. . . Curse God and die." But . . . Curse God and die." But Job replied, "You talk like a Job replied, "You talk like a godless woman. Should we godless woman. Should we accept only good things accept only good things from the hand of God and from the hand of God and never anything bad?" So in never anything bad?" So in all this, Job said nothing all this, Job said nothing wrong.”wrong.” Job 2:7-10 (NLT) Job 2:7-10 (NLT)
What did Job experience in What did Job experience in the physical realm as a result the physical realm as a result of of Satan’s activity in the activity in the heavenly realm?heavenly realm?Dramatic Dramatic health problemsproblemsDestructive Destructive weather systemsLoss of property/possessionsProblems with neighborsChildren dead; Marital conflict
What can we learn from Job?Satan is aware of the activity of individuals on earth
Satan has no authority to act in individual lives on his own
Satan can gain access to an individual’s life by specific permission from God
Nowhere is Job told what is going on in the spiritual realm
Satan’s access to people’s Satan’s access to people’s lives appears lives appears restricted by by GodGod
HeavenliesHeavenlies Job’s Job’s Natural Natural Realm Realm World World
RealmRealm
Daniel provides another Daniel provides another example of how life on earth is example of how life on earth is affected by what transpires in by what transpires in the heavenliesthe heavenlies““And he said to me, 'O Daniel, And he said to me, 'O Daniel, you who are loved very much, you who are loved very much, understand what I am about to understand what I am about to tell you, and stand up. For I tell you, and stand up. For I have now been sent to you.' have now been sent to you.' When he said this to me, I stood When he said this to me, I stood up shaking in fear. Then he said up shaking in fear. Then he said to me . . .to me . . .
Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your the first day that you set your mind on understanding and mind on understanding and getting rid of your pride getting rid of your pride before your God, your words before your God, your words were heard. And I have come were heard. And I have come because of your words. But the because of your words. But the ruler of Persia stood against ruler of Persia stood against me for twenty days. Then me for twenty days. Then Michael, one of the leading Michael, one of the leading princes of . . . princes of . . .
. . . honor, came to help me, . . . honor, came to help me, because I had been left because I had been left there with the king of there with the king of Persia.”Persia.” Daniel 10:11-13 Daniel 10:11-13 (NLV)(NLV)
What can we learn from What can we learn from Daniel?Daniel?Answers to prayer may be hindered by demonic activity in the heavenlies realm
There is warfare in heaven between angelic and demonic beings
Warfare in heaven is a reality that affects life on earth
Angels may be assigned Angels may be assigned in in response to prayer
God assigns His angels to His angels to accomplish His purposesaccomplish His purposes
HeavenliesHeavenlies Daniel’s Daniel’s Natural Natural Realm Realm WorldWorld RealmRealm
Question: Do bad things ‘just Question: Do bad things ‘just happen’ to people?’ to people?Conflict in marriagesConflict in marriagesStrained relationships Strained relationships between parents and childrenbetween parents and children
Church tension and divisionChurch tension and divisionUnusual difficulties at workUnusual difficulties at workOppressed corporate worshipOppressed corporate worshipPersistent lack of joy and zealPersistent lack of joy and zeal
A Kingdom worldview A Kingdom worldview continually references a continually references a heavenly heavenly battle““For we are not fighting against For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.”heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)(NLT)
Our lives on earth are lived Our lives on earth are lived in a in a war zone that we that we cannot seecannot see““Be self-controlled and alert. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion around like a roaring lion looking for someone to looking for someone to devour.”devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Our 24-7-365 relationship Our 24-7-365 relationship with Satan is with Satan is not unlike the realities of a real war: ‘fight or be taken out’or be taken out’““The thief comes only to The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10 (NIV)John 10:10 (NIV)
Your Your combat guide to survive to survive and be victorious in this and be victorious in this warfare are the Scriptures – warfare are the Scriptures – the Word of God the Word of God ““For everything that was written For everything that was written in the past was written to teach in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have Scriptures we might have hope.”hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)Romans 15:4 (NIV)
Our approach to warfare is Our approach to warfare is not according to the ways not according to the ways or dictates of our or dictates of our culture and the world around us““The weapons we fight with The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they world. On the contrary, they have divine power to have divine power to demolish strongholds.”demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)(NIV)
Walking in a lifestyle of freedom Walking in a lifestyle of freedom involves bringing God’s involves bringing God’s Kingdom reality to bear in the Kingdom reality to bear in the realties of our lives here on realties of our lives here on earthearth Walking in holiness means somethingWalking in holiness means something Being in the Word means somethingBeing in the Word means something Prayer/fasting means somethingPrayer/fasting means something Obedience means somethingObedience means something How we treat people means somethingHow we treat people means something Fulfilling the Great Commission and Fulfilling the Great Commission and
making disciples means somethingmaking disciples means something
Advancing God’s Kingdom Advancing God’s Kingdom and walking in freedom and walking in freedom should be the normal should be the normal Christian lifeChristian life ““Christ has set us free! This Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of don't ever become slaves of the Law again.”the Law again.” Galatians 5:1 Galatians 5:1
(CEV)(CEV)
Jesus came to give Jesus came to give us life to the max!““A thief comes only to rob, A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have that everyone would have life, and have it in its life, and have it in its fullest.”fullest.” John 10:10 (CEV)John 10:10 (CEV)
God uses the life and God uses the life and freedom we walk in to freedom we walk in to attract others to Christ others to Christ““But in your hearts set But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an be prepared to give an answer to everyone who answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
God uses our lives to God uses our lives to DISPLAY to the heavenlies to the heavenlies His unsearchable wisdomHis unsearchable wisdom““God's purpose was to show his God's purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. . . .This in the heavenly realms. . . .This was his plan from all eternity, was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our out through Christ Jesus our LordLord.”.” Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)
A lifestyle of freedom is part A lifestyle of freedom is part of Jesus’ of Jesus’ mission““The Spirit of the Lord is upon The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has time of the Lord’s favor has come.”come.”
Luke 4:18-19 (NLT)Luke 4:18-19 (NLT)
Jesus links His mission to Jesus links His mission to our Kingdom assignmentassignment““Jesus repeated his Jesus repeated his greeting: ‘Peace to you. Just greeting: ‘Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, as the Father sent me, I I send yousend you.’”.’” John 20:21 John 20:21 (MSG)(MSG)
A lifestyle of walking in A lifestyle of walking in freedom is meant to be freedom is meant to be passed to passed to others““The person who trusts me will The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can that I've been doing. You can count on itcount on it.”.” John 14:12 (MSG)John 14:12 (MSG)
When you live a freedom When you live a freedom lifestyle you continue the lifestyle you continue the ministry of Jesus – ministry of Jesus – destroying the works of the destroying the works of the devildevil““This is the rock on which I This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a will put together my church, a church so expansive with church so expansive with energy that not even the gates energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it of hell will be able to keep it out.”out.” Matthew 16:1 (MSG)Matthew 16:1 (MSG)
We have a glorious We have a glorious mission: to bring God gloryto bring God glory““Through Christ, God has Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has everywhere what God has done for them, so that they done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.”bringing glory to his name.” Romans 1:5 (NLT)Romans 1:5 (NLT)
The Kingdom perspective The Kingdom perspective in life is one of in life is one of sitting, sitting, walking and standingwalking and standing““For he raised us from the For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and dead along with Christ, and we are we are seated seated with him in with him in the heavenly realms – all the heavenly realms – all because we are one with because we are one with Christ Jesus.”Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)(NLT)
““Therefore I, the prisoner of Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to the Lord, implore you to walk walk in a manner worthy of the in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have calling with which you have been called, with all humility been called, with all humility and gentleness, with and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance patience, showing tolerance for one another in love…”for one another in love…”
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NASB)Ephesians 4:1-2 (NASB)
““Be strong in the Lord and in his Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to armor so that you will be able to stand stand firm against all strategies of firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” the heavenly places.” Ephesians Ephesians 6:10-116:10-11
““WWe are living in a part of the e are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel. universe occupied by the rebel. Enemy-occupied territory – Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. that is what this world is.
Christianity is the story of how Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign take part in a great campaign of sabotage." of sabotage." C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityMere Christianity
SpiritualSpiritualStrongholdsStrongholds
Man and SinMan and Sin Man – Man – Made in the Image of God – Made in the Image of God –
Gen.1:26-27Gen.1:26-27 Man was made out of the dust of the Man was made out of the dust of the
ground (Gen.2:7; 3:19).ground (Gen.2:7; 3:19). If our physical bodies were, in fact, If our physical bodies were, in fact,
reduced to dust, the minerals would reduced to dust, the minerals would value less than $100. Our true worth value less than $100. Our true worth exceeds physical attributes. We are exceeds physical attributes. We are infinite valuable because God breathed infinite valuable because God breathed life and spirit into us (Gen.1:26-27).life and spirit into us (Gen.1:26-27).
Man is unique from the rest of Man is unique from the rest of creation in that he is made in the creation in that he is made in the image of God, capable of having image of God, capable of having relationship with the Creator.relationship with the Creator.
Man – Man – Made to Reflect the Image of Made to Reflect the Image of GodGod Together, men and women reflect Together, men and women reflect
God’s being (Gen.1:26-27).God’s being (Gen.1:26-27). Men and women were made to Men and women were made to
reflect God’s character to the reflect God’s character to the world around them, revealing His world around them, revealing His love, grace, truth, mercy, love, grace, truth, mercy, holiness, etc.holiness, etc.
Men and women demonstrate the Men and women demonstrate the dominion of God by stewarding dominion of God by stewarding creation (Gen.1:26).creation (Gen.1:26).
Man – Man – Made to be FreeMade to be Free God’s original intention was that man God’s original intention was that man
should be aware of good only, that he should be aware of good only, that he would walk in obedience and blessing. would walk in obedience and blessing. By choosing to disobey God in the By choosing to disobey God in the garden, man was introduced to sin and garden, man was introduced to sin and evil. Because of this choice man began evil. Because of this choice man began to reap the consequences of sin. to reap the consequences of sin.
In Christ, we are free to fellowship with In Christ, we are free to fellowship with God, we are free from sin and bondage, God, we are free from sin and bondage, we are free to enjoy creation, we are we are free to enjoy creation, we are free to live according to God’s personal free to live according to God’s personal design, we are free to do God’s will.design, we are free to do God’s will.
In Christ, we are free to make choices, In Christ, we are free to make choices, free to obey God. (True freedom involves free to obey God. (True freedom involves choice. If there is no option but to do choice. If there is no option but to do God’s will, freedom is only a word.) God’s will, freedom is only a word.)
Human nature is inherently sinful. Human nature is inherently sinful. Scripture tells us, Scripture tells us, “There is no one “There is no one righteous, not even one… all have righteous, not even one… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of sinned and fall short of the glory of God”God” (Rom 3:10, 24). (Rom 3:10, 24).
So, what is sin?So, what is sin? Sin is willful rebellion against God, His Sin is willful rebellion against God, His
will, and commands (Is.53:6; Eph.4:18).will, and commands (Is.53:6; Eph.4:18). Sin is a personal act against God, Sin is a personal act against God,
turning away from Him and His turning away from Him and His purposes (Ps.51:4).purposes (Ps.51:4).
Sin is failing to live up to God’ Sin is failing to live up to God’ intentions.intentions.
Sin is failing to do what you know is Sin is failing to do what you know is right to do (Jam.4:17).right to do (Jam.4:17).
Sin’s Nature—UnbeliefSin’s Nature—Unbelief In the garden, the serpent laid the seeds of In the garden, the serpent laid the seeds of
unbelief by asking, “Did God really say?” unbelief by asking, “Did God really say?” (Gen.3:1).(Gen.3:1).
Sin is often a mix of truth and error with just Sin is often a mix of truth and error with just enough truth to make it an attractive lie enough truth to make it an attractive lie (Gen.3:1-5).(Gen.3:1-5).
Disbelieving who God is and what He has Disbelieving who God is and what He has said lies at the root of every sin; it is a failure said lies at the root of every sin; it is a failure to have faith in God (Rom.14:23).to have faith in God (Rom.14:23).
Sin entered the world when mankind turned Sin entered the world when mankind turned its back on who God is and what He had said its back on who God is and what He had said and was carried away by what was forbidden and was carried away by what was forbidden (Gen.2:15-17).(Gen.2:15-17).
A note on temptation: when anyone allows A note on temptation: when anyone allows something forbidden to become an object of something forbidden to become an object of focused attention, it may soon become so focused attention, it may soon become so alluring that everything else is abandoned, alluring that everything else is abandoned, including God.including God.
Sin’s Nature—PrideSin’s Nature—Pride In the garden the serpent said, “You In the garden the serpent said, “You
will be like God” (Gen.3:5).will be like God” (Gen.3:5). The sin of Lucifer was one of pride, The sin of Lucifer was one of pride,
ambition and self-exaltation—to be ambition and self-exaltation—to be like God (Is.14:12-15).like God (Is.14:12-15).
Temptation focuses on self (my Temptation focuses on self (my interests), seeking to fulfill our own interests), seeking to fulfill our own potential (my goals, gifts and dreams) potential (my goals, gifts and dreams) and desires (lust of the flesh, lust of and desires (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life) the eyes and the pride of life) (1Jn.2:15-17).(1Jn.2:15-17).
Sin’s Nature—DisobedienceSin’s Nature—Disobedience In the garden they ate of the fruit in In the garden they ate of the fruit in
direct disobedience to God (Gen.2:15-direct disobedience to God (Gen.2:15-17; 3:6-7).17; 3:6-7).
Sin is not in opposition to a rule, but in Sin is not in opposition to a rule, but in opposition to a person—God. At the opposition to a person—God. At the core of every sin is a turning away from core of every sin is a turning away from the love of God.the love of God.
Disobedience is the fruition of sin, Disobedience is the fruition of sin, rising from the fertile soil of unbelief rising from the fertile soil of unbelief and pride.and pride.
Sin’s progression: Sin’s progression: unbelief in the mind unbelief in the mind moves to pride in the heart and bears moves to pride in the heart and bears the fruit of disobedience in the will.the fruit of disobedience in the will.
The Consequences of SinThe Consequences of Sin Sin takes man through a maze of Sin takes man through a maze of
detours, separating him from open detours, separating him from open fellowship with God. When we lend fellowship with God. When we lend ourselves to sin, we’re held within ourselves to sin, we’re held within its grasp longer than we would have its grasp longer than we would have expected. expected. AllAll sin has consequences. sin has consequences.
Sin Leads to FutilitySin Leads to Futility Futility breeds darkness and confusion Futility breeds darkness and confusion
in man’s thoughts and actions.in man’s thoughts and actions. Man pursues a course of absolute Man pursues a course of absolute
selfishness, forgetting God in the selfishness, forgetting God in the pursuit of everything else.pursuit of everything else.
Sin Leads to IdolatrySin Leads to Idolatry When God is removed from our lives, When God is removed from our lives,
something else takes His place in our something else takes His place in our hearts. When we choose sin, we dethrone hearts. When we choose sin, we dethrone God and crown a counterfeit as king of our God and crown a counterfeit as king of our lives.lives.
This always results in immoral thoughts This always results in immoral thoughts and actions (Rom.1:24-27).and actions (Rom.1:24-27).
Sin Leads to GuiltSin Leads to Guilt Deep within man he knows he is guilty—the Deep within man he knows he is guilty—the
conscience is the inner court of judgment conscience is the inner court of judgment that produces the guilty or not guilty that produces the guilty or not guilty verdict.verdict.
The only way to freedom from guilt is The only way to freedom from guilt is through repentance and forgiveness through repentance and forgiveness (1Jn.1:9)(1Jn.1:9)
Sin Leads to PunishmentSin Leads to Punishment In the garden, there was the blaming of In the garden, there was the blaming of
others to avoid punishment (Gen.3:9-others to avoid punishment (Gen.3:9-13).13).
Whenever sin occurs there are Whenever sin occurs there are consequences that will follow consequences that will follow (Num.32:23; Gal.6:7).(Num.32:23; Gal.6:7).
Sin Leads to SeparationSin Leads to Separation Sin results in spiritual death which Sin results in spiritual death which
separates man from God (Gen.3:23-24).separates man from God (Gen.3:23-24). There resides within the heart of man a There resides within the heart of man a
haunting sense that things should not haunting sense that things should not be this way.be this way.
Sin Leads to EstrangementSin Leads to Estrangement Man’s relationship with God has been Man’s relationship with God has been
broken.broken. Man is estranged from relationships with Man is estranged from relationships with
others, finding his condition one of others, finding his condition one of aggressiveness towards the people in his aggressiveness towards the people in his life.life.
Sin Leads to BondageSin Leads to Bondage Men and women no longer enjoy the Men and women no longer enjoy the
freedom God gave them.freedom God gave them. Sin has become the master enslaving its Sin has become the master enslaving its
object (Eph.2:1-3).object (Eph.2:1-3). Man is stuck, absolutely incapable of Man is stuck, absolutely incapable of
reconciling himself to God.reconciling himself to God.
The Biblical Realities of The Biblical Realities of SinSin Our sinful choices alter our life Our sinful choices alter our life
circumstances, sometimes even complicating circumstances, sometimes even complicating the life circumstances of those whom our sin the life circumstances of those whom our sin impacts. All sin simultaneously produces one impacts. All sin simultaneously produces one same effect—a separation from God. same effect—a separation from God. Man has a sinful nature and therefore ‘a Man has a sinful nature and therefore ‘a
bent’ towards sin (Rom.7:14-25).bent’ towards sin (Rom.7:14-25). Everyone has sinned and has fallen short of Everyone has sinned and has fallen short of
God’s glory (Rom.3:23-24).God’s glory (Rom.3:23-24). Each person is responsible for his or her Each person is responsible for his or her
own sin (Ez.18:4, 20).own sin (Ez.18:4, 20). The results of sin are spiritual and physical The results of sin are spiritual and physical
death and eternal separation from God death and eternal separation from God (Rom.6:23; Rev.20:11-15).(Rom.6:23; Rev.20:11-15).
Man is absolutely incapable of being made Man is absolutely incapable of being made right with God and desperately needs a right with God and desperately needs a Savior (Tit.3:3-8).Savior (Tit.3:3-8).
Satan’s Exploitation of Satan’s Exploitation of SinSin
Satan looks for a ‘right of access’ to bring Satan looks for a ‘right of access’ to bring his influence to bear in the lives of peoplehis influence to bear in the lives of people Pride (Is. 14:12-15) – ‘I wills’Pride (Is. 14:12-15) – ‘I wills’ Unbelief (Gen.3:1) – Unbelief (Gen.3:1) – ‘Did God really ‘Did God really
say…?’say…?’ Deception (Mt.4:1-11)Deception (Mt.4:1-11) Exploiting Relational Issues (Gen.37-50)Exploiting Relational Issues (Gen.37-50) Discouragement & Condemnation Discouragement & Condemnation
(1Ki.19)(1Ki.19) Distraction (Lk. 10:38-42)Distraction (Lk. 10:38-42) Strongholds (Eph. 4:25-27)Strongholds (Eph. 4:25-27)
Satan gains access as a result of personal Satan gains access as a result of personal sin or the effects of generational sin, etc.or the effects of generational sin, etc.
So, what are spiritual So, what are spiritual strongholds?strongholds? Strongholds are anything in your Strongholds are anything in your
life that opposes God’s word, God’s life that opposes God’s word, God’s will, and God’s wayswill, and God’s ways
Strongholds are entrenched Strongholds are entrenched patterns of patterns of thoughts or recurring or recurring sinful behavior against which you sinful behavior against which you feel powerless to changefeel powerless to change
Ed Silvoso: ‘A stronghold is when Ed Silvoso: ‘A stronghold is when you know something is contrary to you know something is contrary to the will of God and you feel the will of God and you feel powerless to change it.’powerless to change it.’
A stronghold is a ‘fortressed A stronghold is a ‘fortressed base of operations’ for the of operations’ for the enemyenemy““Be angry, and do not sin”: do Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your not let the sun go down on your wrath, wrath, nor give placenor give place to the to the devil.devil.” ” Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
The word ‘place’ (topos) or The word ‘place’ (topos) or foothold, or opportunity, foothold, or opportunity, refers to refers to jurisdiction where where one has gained rightsone has gained rights
A stronghold is a place in A stronghold is a place in your life where Satan has your life where Satan has right of access to assert his right of access to assert his influence““And don't sin by letting anger And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the a mighty foothold to the Devil.”Devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)
What’s the process by which strongholds are built?
THOUGHTS DECISIONS ACTIONS VALUES LIFESTYLE BONDAGE
What are strongholds What are strongholds made of?made of?Personal sinPersonal sinBelieving liesBelieving liesGenerational sinGenerational sinWord cursesWord cursesSoul tiesSoul ties
1) 1) Personal SinPersonal Sin Sin from doors you openSin from doors you open Sin from doors left open Sin from doors left open
after you come to Jesus after you come to Jesus ChristChrist
Sin from doors forced Sin from doors forced open by violation and open by violation and victimization and victimization and subsequent sinful reactionsubsequent sinful reaction
““And that's the way it was with And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. . . And now that of this world. . . And now that you have found God (or should you have found God (or should I say, now that God has found I say, now that God has found you), why do you want to go you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves back again and become slaves once more to the weak and once more to the weak and useless spiritual powers of this useless spiritual powers of this world?”world?” Galatians 4:3, 9 (NLT)Galatians 4:3, 9 (NLT)
What kind of sin? What kind of sin? All kinds! kinds!Fear (Fear (James 3:14-15)James 3:14-15)Jealousy/Ambition (Jealousy/Ambition (James James 3:14-15)3:14-15)
Opposition to truth Opposition to truth (2 Timothy 2:25-26)(2 Timothy 2:25-26)
Temporal man-centered Temporal man-centered pursuits pursuits (Matthew 16:23)(Matthew 16:23)
Lying Lying (John 8:43-45)(John 8:43-45)WorldlinessWorldliness (Ephesians 2:1-2)(Ephesians 2:1-2)
Idolatry Idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)(1 Corinthians 10:20-21)Laziness Laziness (1 Timothy 5:13-15)(1 Timothy 5:13-15)Hypocrisy, Greed, Lying Hypocrisy, Greed, Lying (Acts 5:3)(Acts 5:3)
Materialism Materialism (1 Timothy 6:9)(1 Timothy 6:9)Violated Conscience Violated Conscience (1 Timothy 1:19-20)(1 Timothy 1:19-20)
Immorality Immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1-(1 Corinthians 5:1-5)5)
False Religion False Religion (2 Timothy 3:5)(2 Timothy 3:5)Deceit Deceit (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
And a host of others: And a host of others: Anger, Condemnation, Anger, Condemnation, Control, Critical Spirit, Control, Critical Spirit, Entitlements, Fear, Entitlements, Fear, Hopelessness, Independence, Hopelessness, Independence, Inferiority, Jealousy, Inferiority, Jealousy, Passivity, Pride, Rebellion, Passivity, Pride, Rebellion, Rejection, Self-Hatred, Self-Rejection, Self-Hatred, Self-Obsession, Shame, Unbelief, Obsession, Shame, Unbelief, Unforgiveness, VictimizationUnforgiveness, Victimization
2) 2) Believing LiesBelieving LiesBelieving anything Believing anything contrary to God’s truth revealed in to God’s truth revealed in ScriptureScripture
UNFORGIVENESS – UNFORGIVENESS – believing the lie that believing the lie that unhealed wounds that result unhealed wounds that result in bitterness, anger and in bitterness, anger and resentment toward others resentment toward others do not have an effect on medo not have an effect on me
UNBELIEF – Believing the UNBELIEF – Believing the lie that I know better than lie that I know better than God what I can and can’t God what I can and can’t do and that I cannot really do and that I cannot really trust His promises to metrust His promises to me
FEAR – Believing the lie FEAR – Believing the lie that it is normal to have a that it is normal to have a large amount of anxiety large amount of anxiety about everything and about everything and everyone, including Godeveryone, including God
INFERIORITY – Believing INFERIORITY – Believing the lie that I am less the lie that I am less important and have less important and have less value than everyone else and value than everyone else and that I always come up shortthat I always come up short
SELF-HATRED – Believing SELF-HATRED – Believing the lie that there is the lie that there is something wrong with me something wrong with me and that it is okay for me to and that it is okay for me to have anger and disgust have anger and disgust against myself against myself
HOPELESSNESS / DEFEAT – HOPELESSNESS / DEFEAT – Believing the lie that there is Believing the lie that there is no possibility to solve or no possibility to solve or overcome my problems or overcome my problems or that anything good will every that anything good will every come to mecome to me
INSECURITY – Believing the INSECURITY – Believing the lie that I can never be sure lie that I can never be sure of myself or feel safe or of myself or feel safe or secure or be free from fear secure or be free from fear and anxietyand anxiety
““Don't let anyone lead you Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense and high-sounding nonsense that come from human that come from human thinking and from the evil thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not powers of this world, and not from Christ.”from Christ.” Colossians 2:8 Colossians 2:8 (NLT(NLT))
3) 3) Generational SinGenerational SinThe scriptures clearly The scriptures clearly state that the effects of state that the effects of sin and righteousness can sin and righteousness can be passed downbe passed down from one from one generation to the next generation to the next generationgeneration
““Don't bow down and Don't bow down and worship idols. I am the worship idols. I am the LORD your God, and I LORD your God, and I demand all your love. If you demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your reject me, I will punish your families for three or four families for three or four generations. But if you love generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for be kind to your families for thousands of generations.”thousands of generations.” Exodus 20:5-6 (CEV)Exodus 20:5-6 (CEV)
Generational sin can be passed down from either side of your family line
Generational sin acts like a snare that holds you back from walking in freedom
Pay close attention to recurring patterns in your life, and that of your family
4)4) Word CursesWord CursesWhat do we mean by ‘a What do we mean by ‘a curse’? Something that has curse’? Something that has been spoken over or against been spoken over or against you and has lodged in your you and has lodged in your heart that is contrary to the heart that is contrary to the will and word of Godwill and word of God
““Death and life are in the Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its those who love it will eat its fruit.”fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)
A curse, in Old Testament A curse, in Old Testament culture, was culture, was characterized by a power, characterized by a power, force, or energy force, or energy expressing itself in hurt expressing itself in hurt to be feared and shunned to be feared and shunned
Curses were considered a Curses were considered a wish for misfortune on wish for misfortune on one’s enemies that one’s enemies that resulted in tangible resulted in tangible negative consequences negative consequences
Curses can come fromCurses can come from othersothersThose in authority in your Those in authority in your lifelife
Parents, teachers, Parents, teachers, coaches, bosses, etc . . .coaches, bosses, etc . . .
Through slanderThrough slanderGenerational issuesGenerational issues
Consider and be aware of Consider and be aware of the ‘tapes’ that play over the ‘tapes’ that play over and over in your mindand over in your mind
Curses can be Curses can be self-inflicted-inflictedWords you speak over yourself Words you speak over yourself can give access to the demoniccan give access to the demonic
Even embracing things such as Even embracing things such as song lyrics that are words of song lyrics that are words of self-destruction can have self-destruction can have affect on youaffect on you
Pay close attention to your ‘self-Pay close attention to your ‘self-talk’ and what you believe about talk’ and what you believe about yourselfyourselfI am stupid; I can never be I am stupid; I can never be like; I will always be poor; I like; I will always be poor; I always rush aheadalways rush ahead
5) Soul TiesA soul tie is relationship that goes beyond biblical boundaries
A soul tie involves departure A soul tie involves departure from normal parameters in from normal parameters in one or more areas of a one or more areas of a relationshiprelationship
Soul ties result in unhealthy Soul ties result in unhealthy relational bondingrelational bonding
““And we said to my lord, And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.' "So now, if father will die.' "So now, if the boy is not with us when the boy is not with us when I go back . . . and if my I go back . . . and if my father, whose life is closely father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's bound up with the boy's life, sees that the boy isn't life, sees that the boy isn't there, he will die.”there, he will die.” Genesis Genesis 44:22, 30-31 (NIV)44:22, 30-31 (NIV)
A soul tie can have an A soul tie can have an unhealthy, inappropriate, unhealthy, inappropriate, and unbiblical influence on and unbiblical influence on the person or familythe person or family
Soul ties are spiritual in Soul ties are spiritual in nature and carry a great nature and carry a great capacity for influence and capacity for influence and power in one’s lifepower in one’s life
““Those who cling to worthless Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8 Jonah 2:8 (NIV)(NIV)
Strongholds, regardless of Strongholds, regardless of what they’re made of, are what they’re made of, are barriers keeping you from barriers keeping you from your inheritanceyour inheritance
Strongholds can keep you Strongholds can keep you from obedience and from obedience and advancing the Kingdomadvancing the Kingdom
Strongholds can keep you Strongholds can keep you on the ‘sidelines of life’on the ‘sidelines of life’
Strongholds can keep you Strongholds can keep you from finishing wellfrom finishing well
‘‘A stronghold is when you know A stronghold is when you know something is contrary to the will something is contrary to the will of God but you feel powerless to of God but you feel powerless to change it’change it’
- Ed Silvoso- Ed Silvoso Strongholds to consider:Strongholds to consider:
Personal SinPersonal SinBelieving LiesBelieving LiesGenerational SinGenerational SinWord CursesWord CursesSoul TiesSoul Ties
Spiritual Spiritual TransactionsTransactions
It is it important to tear It is it important to tear down strongholds because down strongholds because they are barriers that they are barriers that keep you from walking in keep you from walking in the freedom of who you in the freedom of who you in Christ and from enjoying Christ and from enjoying the inheritance God has the inheritance God has for youfor you
““Therefore, since we are Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us every weight that slows us down, especially the sin down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run progress. And let us run with endurance the race with endurance the race that God has set before us.”that God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
You need spiritual weapons to You need spiritual weapons to dismantle spiritual dismantle spiritual strongholdsstrongholds““We are human, but we don't We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds.Devil's strongholds.” ” 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NLT) 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NLT)
Strongholds are dismantled Strongholds are dismantled by exercising spiritual by exercising spiritual weapons to tear them downweapons to tear them down““With these weapons we With these weapons we break down every proud break down every proud argument that keeps people argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.”them to obey Christ.” 2 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT)Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT)
When you exercise the When you exercise the spiritual weapons you’ve spiritual weapons you’ve been given you posture been given you posture yourself for Divine yourself for Divine intervention““Now, the Lord is the Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.”gives freedom.” 2 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
A freedom lifestyle begins A freedom lifestyle begins when you when you choose to to address strongholds in address strongholds in your lifeyour life““He gives us more and more He gives us more and more strength to stand against strength to stand against such evil desires. As the such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God sets Scriptures say, "God sets himself against the proud, himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the but he shows favor to the humble.”humble.” James 4:6 (NLT)James 4:6 (NLT)
Freedom starts out of the Freedom starts out of the mouth of the one calling mouth of the one calling out to Godout to God““Pursue faith and love and Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure call on the Lord with pure hearts.”hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)(NLT)
Spiritual transactions in the Spiritual transactions in the heavenly realm go into affect heavenly realm go into affect as you call out to God in faithas you call out to God in faith““I will give you the keys of the I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV)Matthew 16:19 (NIV)
Spiritual transactions are the Spiritual transactions are the means by which you grow in means by which you grow in ChristChrist““So then, just as you received So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
Spiritual transactions occur Spiritual transactions occur whether or not you fully whether or not you fully understand everything or notunderstand everything or not
Spiritual transactions occur Spiritual transactions occur regardless of your emotions regardless of your emotions
Spiritual transaction occur Spiritual transaction occur when you act in faith and when you act in faith and obedience to God’s Wordobedience to God’s Word
Strongholds are dismantled Strongholds are dismantled when you exercise confident when you exercise confident faith““It's impossible to please God It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe approach God must believe both that he exists and that he both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to cares enough to respond to those who seek him.”those who seek him.” Hebrews Hebrews 11:6 (MSG)11:6 (MSG)
Faith translates into Faith translates into obedience and action and action ““If we know the right thing If we know the right thing to do and do not do it, we to do and do not do it, we commit sin.”commit sin.” James 4:17 (NIV)James 4:17 (NIV)
You must have a zero-You must have a zero-tolerance for passivity in tolerance for passivity in acting upon God’s Wordacting upon God’s Word
Strength to address Strength to address strongholds keeping you strongholds keeping you freedom begins with freedom begins with humility““He gives us more and more He gives us more and more strength to stand against strength to stand against such evil desires. As the such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God sets Scriptures say, "God sets himself against the proud, himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the but he shows favor to the humble.”humble.” James 4:6 (NLT)James 4:6 (NLT)
A freedom lifestyle is a A freedom lifestyle is a walk of aggressive walk of aggressive resistance to the enemy resistance to the enemy rooted in a sure promiserooted in a sure promise““So humble yourselves So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NLT)James 4:7 (NLT)
Standing on God’s promise Standing on God’s promise of His presence is of His presence is motivation to choose motivation to choose pursuing Him with a pure pursuing Him with a pure heartheart““Draw close to God, and God Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you purify your hearts, you hypocrites.”hypocrites.” James 4:8 (NLT)James 4:8 (NLT)
Spiritual transactions necessary Spiritual transactions necessary to a freedom lifestyle assume a to a freedom lifestyle assume a willingness to take willingness to take responsibility for sin you’ve committed for sin you’ve committed ““Let there be tears for the wrong Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.”gloom instead of joy.” James 4:9 James 4:9 (NLT)(NLT)
Humility, honesty, and Humility, honesty, and dependence on the Lord on the Lord are essential to a freedom are essential to a freedom lifestylelifestyle““When you bow down before When you bow down before the Lord and admit your the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you lift you up and give you honor.” honor.” James 4:10 (NLT)James 4:10 (NLT)
To tear down spiritual To tear down spiritual strongholds: strongholds: You must want nothing less than abandoned pursuit of God and His freedom
You must be ready for God to go anywhere in your life
You must be You must be ready to be completely honest, to confess sin, to repent, and to exercise the authority you have in Christ
You must aggressively use the biblical weapons you’ve been given to dismantle spiritual strongholds
Weapons For Weapons For A Freedom A Freedom LifestyleLifestyle
The starting point for The starting point for getting armed is making a getting armed is making a lifestyle decisiondecision““Put on all of God's armor Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to so that you will be able to stand firm against all stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the strategies and tricks of the Devil.Devil.”” Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)
Your choice to live a Your choice to live a lifestyle of freedom is lifestyle of freedom is under girded by assurance under girded by assurance that as a child of God you that as a child of God you have all the have all the resources you you need need ““Now you are no longer a Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to everything he has belongs to you.”you.” Galatians 4:7 (NLT)Galatians 4:7 (NLT)
God has given you God has given you everything you need to live everything you need to live a lifestyle of freedom and a lifestyle of freedom and tear down any stronghold tear down any stronghold keeping you from your keeping you from your inheritance in Christ and inheritance in Christ and effective ministryeffective ministry
““As we know Jesus better, his As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape promised that you will escape the decadence all around you the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine you will share in his divine nature.”nature.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)
Freedom from strongholds is Freedom from strongholds is expressed out of the expressed out of the mouth of of the one who is being held the one who is being held captivecaptive
Tearing down strongholds Tearing down strongholds involves using your spiritual involves using your spiritual weapons to dismantle any weapons to dismantle any jurisdiction Satan has in your jurisdiction Satan has in your life regardless of the origin life regardless of the origin
Tearing down strongholds Tearing down strongholds begins in the arena of your begins in the arena of your thought life““We are human, but we don't We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's down the Devil's strongholds. . .strongholds. . .
. . .With these weapons we . . .With these weapons we break down every proud break down every proud argument that keeps people argument that keeps people from knowing God. With from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey we teach them to obey
Christ.”Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT) (NLT)
Spiritual Weapons You Can Spiritual Weapons You Can Use:Use:ConfessionConfessionRepentanceRepentanceForgivenessForgivenessHearing God’s VoiceHearing God’s VoiceSpiritual AuthoritySpiritual AuthorityPrayerPrayer
CONFESSIONCONFESSION Confession is a willingness to Confession is a willingness to
be honest and be honest and transparent about your sin to God
Confession is verbally agreeing with what God calls with what God calls sinsin
Confession is the door to Confession is the door to receiving forgiveness and receiving forgiveness and cleansing from sincleansing from sin““If we confess our sins, he is If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and forgive us our sins and purify us from all purify us from all unrighteousness.”unrighteousness.” 1 John 1 John
1:8-9 (NIV)1:8-9 (NIV)
If you are unwilling to If you are unwilling to confess your sin you open confess your sin you open yourself to yourself to deception““If we claim to be without If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”and the truth is not in us.” 1 1 John 1:7 (NIV)John 1:7 (NIV)
Confession make genuine Confession make genuine fellowship with others fellowship with others possible possible ““But if we live in the light, But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life as God does, we share in life with each other. And the with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.”washes all our sins away.” 1 John 1:7 (CEV)1 John 1:7 (CEV)
Confession, as part of your Confession, as part of your lifestyle, opens the door to , opens the door to healing in all areas of your healing in all areas of your lifelife““Make this your common Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each each other and pray for each other so that you can live other so that you can live together whole and healed.”together whole and healed.” James 5:16 (MSG)James 5:16 (MSG)
REPENTANCEREPENTANCE
Repentance is the key for Repentance is the key for entering into the power, joy, entering into the power, joy, and freedom of a transformed and freedom of a transformed lifelife
‘‘Repentance is the foundation Repentance is the foundation of all spiritual growth.’of all spiritual growth.’
- Alexander - Alexander
SolzhenitsynSolzhenitsyn
Repentance leads to Repentance leads to freedom – salvation, life, freedom – salvation, life, and and REFRESHING““Now it's time to change Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you.”blessing to refresh you.” Acts 3:19 (MSG)Acts 3:19 (MSG)
The Old Testament meaning is The Old Testament meaning is a change of direction and a change of direction and implies an image of a 180° implies an image of a 180° turnturn
The New Testament meaning The New Testament meaning is a change of mind, a change is a change of mind, a change of belief system; a turning of belief system; a turning from something to something from something to something elseelse
Repentance is the first step Repentance is the first step into a Kingdom lifeinto a Kingdom life
““Search me, O God, and Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that out anything in me that offends you, and lead me offends you, and lead me along the path of along the path of everlasting life.”everlasting life.” Psalm Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)139:23-24 (NLT)
Repentance results in new Repentance results in new thinking““Don't copy the behavior Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, and customs of this world, but let God transform you but let God transform you into a new person by into a new person by changing the way you changing the way you think.”think.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Repentance results in new Repentance results in new thoughts and beliefs, new thoughts and beliefs, new words and actions, and words and actions, and eventually new emotionseventually new emotions““Since, then, we do not have Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, the excuse of ignorance, everything – and I do mean everything – and I do mean everything – connected with everything – connected with that old way of life has to that old way of life has to go. . . go. . .
. . . It's rotten through and . . . It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new then take on an entirely new way of life--a God-fashioned way of life--a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into inside and working itself into your conduct as God your conduct as God accurately reproduces his accurately reproduces his character in you.”character in you.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)
FORGIVENESS
Forgiving others who have Forgiving others who have sinned against you keeps sinned against you keeps you from being bound by you from being bound by unforgivenessunforgiveness““And should you not have And should you not have had pity and mercy on your had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you? . . .pity and mercy on you? . . .
. . . And in wrath his master . . . And in wrath his master turned him over to the turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed. should pay all that he owed. So also My heavenly Father So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of will deal with every one of you if you do not freely you if you do not freely forgive your brother from forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.”your heart his offenses.” Matthew 18:33-35 (AMP)Matthew 18:33-35 (AMP)
Walking in forgiveness begins Walking in forgiveness begins with you taking the first stepwith you taking the first step““And when you assume the And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you that it's not all asking. If you have anything against have anything against someone, forgive – only then someone, forgive – only then will your heavenly Father be will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."clean of sins." Mark 11:25 (MSG)Mark 11:25 (MSG)
Walking in forgiveness can Walking in forgiveness can make you wise to the make you wise to the attacks of the enemyattacks of the enemy““When you forgive this man, I When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him . . . I do . . . so forgive him . . . I do . . . so that Satan will not outsmart that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.”with his evil schemes.” 2 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NLT)Corinthians 2:10-11 (NLT)
Walking in forgiveness Walking in forgiveness frees you to show frees you to show compassion to others compassion to others ““Be gentle with one another, Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ thoroughly as God in Christ
forgave you.”forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32-33 (MSG) Ephesians 4:32-33 (MSG)
Receiving forgiveness after Receiving forgiveness after you confess your sin is you confess your sin is God’s means to God’s means to release you you from the guilt of your sinfrom the guilt of your sin““O Lord, you are so good, so O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who unfailing love for all who ask your aid.”ask your aid.” Psalm 86:5 Psalm 86:5 (NLT)(NLT)
HEARING GOD’S VOICEHEARING GOD’S VOICE
A freedom lifestyle assumes A freedom lifestyle assumes an intimate an intimate relationship with the Lordwith the Lord““Then he told me, `The God of Then he told me, `The God of our ancestors has chosen you our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him Righteous One and hear him speak.”speak.” Acts 22:14 (NLT)Acts 22:14 (NLT)
A lifestyle of freedom A lifestyle of freedom assumes a measure of faith assumes a measure of faith and expectation that God and expectation that God wants to speak with youwants to speak with you““The LORD God gives me The LORD God gives me the right words to the right words to encourage the weary. Each encourage the weary. Each morning he awakens me morning he awakens me eager to learn his teaching.”eager to learn his teaching.” Isaiah 50:4 (CEV)Isaiah 50:4 (CEV)
Hearing from God assumes Hearing from God assumes you are listening if He has you are listening if He has something to share with yousomething to share with you““Happy are those who listen to Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the LORD.”wins approval from the LORD.” Proverbs 8:34-35 (NLT)Proverbs 8:34-35 (NLT)
Hearing from God assumes Hearing from God assumes you have the capacity to do soyou have the capacity to do so““My sheep recognize my voice. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow I know them, and they follow me.”me.” John 8:27 (MSG) John 8:27 (MSG)
““There is not in the world a There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a delightful than that of a continual conversation with continual conversation with God.”God.” - - Brother LawrenceBrother Lawrence
How do you hear God’s How do you hear God’s voice?voice?
Through the Scripture – Through the Scripture – ““Your word is a lamp to guide my Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
Listening to itListening to it Reading it, memorizing itReading it, memorizing it Studying it, meditating on itStudying it, meditating on it Impressions to read certain Impressions to read certain portionsportions
By the Holy SpiritBy the Holy Spirit Leading and guidingLeading and guiding
““Whether you turn to the right Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the road! voice saying, ‘This is the road! Now follow it.’”Now follow it.’”
Is. 30:21Is. 30:21 Impressions – Acts 20:22Impressions – Acts 20:22 Conviction – Jn. 16:8Conviction – Jn. 16:8 Peace – Col.3:15Peace – Col.3:15
By Waiting on GodBy Waiting on God In the place of worship – Acts In the place of worship – Acts 13:1-313:1-3
In the place of prayer – Lk. 6:12-In the place of prayer – Lk. 6:12-1616
In the place of prayer w/fasting – In the place of prayer w/fasting – Dan.9-10Dan.9-10
Waiting for God’s counsel – Waiting for God’s counsel – Ps.106:13Ps.106:13
Waiting in dependence to act on Waiting in dependence to act on our behalf – Is.64:4our behalf – Is.64:4
Through PeopleThrough People Listening to the Lord as Listening to the Lord as other people speak, act, obeyother people speak, act, obey
Jethro to Moses in Ex.18Jethro to Moses in Ex.18Through spiritual leaders – Through spiritual leaders – ActsActs
Through people functioning Through people functioning in their spiritual giftsin their spiritual gifts
Through Spiritual Gifts Through Spiritual Gifts and Supernatural Meansand Supernatural Means Discernment – 1 Cor.12Discernment – 1 Cor.12 Prophetic words – 1 Cor. 12Prophetic words – 1 Cor. 12 Words of Knowledge – 1 Cor. Words of Knowledge – 1 Cor. 1212
Words of Wisdom – 1 Cor. 12Words of Wisdom – 1 Cor. 12 Visions – Acts 10:9-28Visions – Acts 10:9-28 Dreams – Mt. 1:20Dreams – Mt. 1:20
How do you cultivate How do you cultivate hearing God’s voice? hearing God’s voice? Develop a responsive heart – Develop a responsive heart – Mark 4:1-20Mark 4:1-20
Make spending time with Make spending time with the Lord a priority – Luke the Lord a priority – Luke 10:41-4210:41-42
Ask the Lord to speak to you Ask the Lord to speak to you – Luke 11:13– Luke 11:13
Practice, practice, practice!Practice, practice, practice!
Shut out Shut out distractions““God is our true Friend, who God is our true Friend, who always give us the counsel and always give us the counsel and comfort we need. Our danger comfort we need. Our danger lies in resisting Him; so it is lies in resisting Him; so it is essential that we acquire the essential that we acquire the habit of harkening to His habit of harkening to His voice, or keeping silence voice, or keeping silence within, and listening so as to within, and listening so as to lose nothing of what He says lose nothing of what He says to us. We know well enough to us. We know well enough how. . .how. . .
. . . to keep outward silence, . . . to keep outward silence, and to hush our spoken words, and to hush our spoken words, but we know little or interior but we know little or interior silence. It consists in hushing silence. It consists in hushing our idle, restless, wandering our idle, restless, wandering imagination, in quieting the imagination, in quieting the promptings of our worldly promptings of our worldly minds, and in suppressing the minds, and in suppressing the crowd of unprofitable thoughts crowd of unprofitable thoughts which excite and disturb the which excite and disturb the soul.”soul.”
- Francois Fenelon- Francois Fenelon
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITYSPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
You receive authority at You receive authority at salvation““Through Christ, God has given Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.”bringing glory to his name.” Romans 1:5 (NLT)Romans 1:5 (NLT)
““If you are doing kingdom business, as If you are doing kingdom business, as a kingdom Christian, living a kingdom a kingdom Christian, living a kingdom life, you have kingdom authority.”life, you have kingdom authority.”
- Tony Evans- Tony Evans Authority is the delegated right to Authority is the delegated right to
rulerule Power is the inherent ability to do Power is the inherent ability to do
and act (real strength, might, force)and act (real strength, might, force) Your only source of power to exercise Your only source of power to exercise
spiritual authority is the Holy Spiritspiritual authority is the Holy Spirit
The authority you exercise is The authority you exercise is Christ’s authority, not your Christ’s authority, not your ownown““For in Christ all the fullness For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and head over every power and authority.”authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 Colossians 2:9-10
(NIV)(NIV)
Your authority as a Your authority as a believer is based on your believer is based on your position ‘in Christ’position ‘in Christ’““And God raised us up with And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)2:6 (NLT)
When you walk in Christ’s When you walk in Christ’s authority you should expect authority you should expect that it will make a difference that it will make a difference in ministry in ministry ““When the seventy-two disciples When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name! obey us when we use your name! "Yes," he told them, . . . And I "Yes," he told them, . . . And I have given you authority over all have given you authority over all the power of the enemy . . . the power of the enemy . . . Nothing will injure you.Nothing will injure you.”” Luke Luke 10:17-19 (NIV) 10:17-19 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit is the The Holy Spirit is the source of your powersource of your power““But when the Holy Spirit But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell receive power and will tell people about me everywhere people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Acts 1:8 (NLT)(NLT)
Exercising your authority Exercising your authority is not an option but a is not an option but a responsibilityresponsibility
You are responsible to You are responsible to exercise authority over exercise authority over that which is in your God-that which is in your God-given spheregiven sphere““The scepter of the wicked The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous. . .”allotted to the righteous. . .” Psalm 125:3 (NIV)Psalm 125:3 (NIV)
Listening to and obeying the Listening to and obeying the Lord provides you with the Lord provides you with the right to right to execute authority"I assure you, the Son can do "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. But I does, the Son also does. But I do nothing without consulting do nothing without consulting the Father.” the Father.” John 5:19, 30 (NLT)John 5:19, 30 (NLT)
““The limitation of Satan’s The limitation of Satan’s power on earth is based on a power on earth is based on a joining together of the will joining together of the will of God and the will of man. of God and the will of man. When the sovereignty of God When the sovereignty of God is linked to the obedience of is linked to the obedience of man, the will of God is put man, the will of God is put into effect, and when that into effect, and when that happens Satan is checked.” happens Satan is checked.” - - McCandlish PhillipsMcCandlish Phillips
PRAYERPRAYER
The Four R’sThe Four R’sRepent Repent – owning your sin– owning your sinReceive Receive – God’s forgiveness– God’s forgivenessResist Resist – the enemy of your – the enemy of your soulsoul
Replace Replace –– with God’s truthwith God’s truth
Guided prayer using the Four Guided prayer using the Four R’s can provide a pathway to R’s can provide a pathway to facilitate spiritual facilitate spiritual transactions transactions
The Four R’s tether spiritual The Four R’s tether spiritual transaction to a biblical basis transaction to a biblical basis
The Four R’s serve as a The Four R’s serve as a model to help others know model to help others know how to stand on God’s Word – how to stand on God’s Word – easily to replicateeasily to replicate
Repentance unlocks the Repentance unlocks the door to freedom by door to freedom by removing the right of removing the right of access the enemy has in a access the enemy has in a particular area of your lifeparticular area of your life
Receiving God’s Receiving God’s forgiveness breaks the forgiveness breaks the hold of guilthold of guilt over past sinover past sin
Renouncing lies you have Renouncing lies you have believed, in the places of believed, in the places of your life where the enemy your life where the enemy has tried to exercise his has tried to exercise his influence over your influence over your thinking, beliefs, values thinking, beliefs, values and actionsand actions
Exercise your authority in Exercise your authority in Christ to resist the enemyChrist to resist the enemy
Replace the lies of the Replace the lies of the enemy with God’s truth enemy with God’s truth based on His Wordbased on His Word
Replace commitment to Replace commitment to sin with commitment to sin with commitment to holinessholiness
Renew your commitment Renew your commitment and desire to pursue the and desire to pursue the Lord with all your heartLord with all your heart
Ask and receive in faith a Ask and receive in faith a fresh infilling of the Spirit fresh infilling of the Spirit to enable you to walk in to enable you to walk in His waysHis ways
Rejoice in the abundant Rejoice in the abundant grace, peace, and freedom grace, peace, and freedom that you have receivedthat you have received
Habits For The Habits For The JourneyJourney
Habits For The JourneyHabits For The Journey Walking in freedom is a Walking in freedom is a
lifestyle decisionlifestyle decision““Put on all of God's armor so Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.tricks of the Devil.”” Ephesians Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)6:11 (NLT)
Spiritual Habits For The Spiritual Habits For The Journey :Journey :
WorshipWorshipFaithFaithFellowship Fellowship AccountabilityAccountabilityPrayer Pathway Prayer Pathway
WORSHIPWORSHIP Living a freedom lifestyle is an act Living a freedom lifestyle is an act
of worshipof worship ““Take your everyday, ordinary life--Take your everyday, ordinary life--
your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”the best thing you can do for him.”
Romans 12:1 (MSG)Romans 12:1 (MSG)
FAITHFAITH Exercising your faith results in Exercising your faith results in
intimacy with the Lord intimacy with the Lord ““So make every effort to apply So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God excellence leads to knowing God better.”better.” 1 Peter 1:5 (NLT)1 Peter 1:5 (NLT)
FELLOWHIPFELLOWHIP Walking in freedom Walking in freedom
facilitates genuine facilitates genuine fellowshipfellowship““But if we are living in the But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every Son, cleanses us from every sin.”sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NLT) 1 John 1:7 (NLT)
ACCOUNTABILITYACCOUNTABILITY Living a lifestyle of freedom Living a lifestyle of freedom
requires being connected with requires being connected with othersothers““Let's see how inventive we can be Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”see the big Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (MSG)Hebrews 10:24-25 (MSG)
PRAYER PATHWAYPRAYER PATHWAY
The Four R’s provide a The Four R’s provide a prayer pathway to prayer pathway to facilitate spiritual facilitate spiritual transactions transactions RepentRepentReceiveReceiveResistResistReplaceReplace
Walk Free!Walk Free! ““We ask God to give you a We ask God to give you a
complete understanding of complete understanding of what he wants to do in your what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will Then the way you live will always honor and please the always honor and please the Lord and you will continually do Lord and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to the while, you will learn to know God better and better.”know God better and better.”
Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)