Bondage Breaker - Lesson 13 - Appendix - The Steps to Freedom in Christ

Welcome to the "Lesson 13" of the Bondage Breaker Discipleship Class.  This lesson is drawn from Dr. Neil Anderson's The Bondage Breaker, 1990 version's Chapter 12: The Steps to Freedom in Christ.  We share the cover art of the 1990 version of the Bondage Breaker above to highlight this fact and as an homage and tribute to the previous edition. 

Bondage Breaker Lesson 13 Podcast

The podcast for this Lesson provides teaching and a walk through of the Steps to Freedom in Christ.  Listen to the Podcast and follow the teaching and instructions as you listen, or just read through and pray aloud the prayers for the steps below:
 

STEP 1: COUNTERFEIT VERSUS REAL

The first step to freedom in Christ is to renounce our previous or current involvements with satanically inspired occultic practices or false religions. You may have tried many ways in the past for resolving your spiritual problems and finding meaning in life. Any activity or group which denies Jesus Christ, offers guidance through any source other than the absolute authority of the written Word of God, or requires secret initiations must be forsaken. No Christian has any business being part of a group that is not completely open about all they do (1 John 1:5,7). If the leaders of any group demand absolute authority instead of serving the needs of their constituents, do not submit to them.

The early church included in its public declaration of faith, "I renounce you, Satan, and all your works and ways." The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many other liturgical churches still require this renunciation as part of confirmation.

In assessing counterfeits to Christianity, no criterion is more important than the Person of Jesus Christ. 

Other religions and cults may talk about Jesus, but they present Him in another way than He is presented in Scripture. They may talk about the same historical Jesus, but not about the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, and the great I AM.

 Jesus said, "Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).

 If you believe in Jesus in any other way than how He is presented in the Bible, you will receive an altogether different spirit from the Holy Spirit and an altogether different gospel from the gospel of grace.

 In order to help you assess your previous spiritual experiences, complete the "Non-Christian Spiritual Experience Inventory" below by making a list of all the Non-Christian experiences or religions that you have knowingly or may have unknowingly participated in. 

The list is not exhaustive, but it will guide you in identifying non-Christian involvements.  

Non-Christian Spiritual Experience Inventory

Note all those that you have participated in:

Out-of-body experiences	Wicca
Ouija board	Black and white magic/The Gathering
Bloody Mary	Paganism
Charlie Charlie	Reiki
Occult games such as Light as a Feather	Channeling/Chakras
Magic 8-Ball	Reincarnation/previous life healing
Table or body lifting	Mediums and channelers
Spells and curses	Mormonism
Mental telepathy/mind control	Freemasonry
Tarot cards	Christian Science
Automatic writing	Church of Scientology
Astrology/horoscopes	Nature worship (Mother Earth)
Palm reading	Unitarianism/universalism
Fortune telling/divination	Hinduism/Transcendental Meditation
Blood pacts	Silva Mind Control
Sexual spirits	Buddhism (including Zen)
Séances and circles	Islam
Trances	Witchcraft/sorcery
Spirit guides	Bahaism
Clairvoyance	Spiritism/animism/folk religions
Rod and pendulum (dowsing)	Ancestor worship
Hypnosis	Jehovah’s Witnesses
Satanism[1] __________________________________________________________________________________

^[1] Anderson, N. T. (2019). The bondage breaker® (pp. 217–218). Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.

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As you go through this step and review the above list, pray in the following way:

Dear heavenly Father, I ask You to reveal to me all the occultic practices, false religions, and false teachers with which I have knowingly or unknowingly been involved.

 Write down everything God brings to mind. After you are sure your list is complete, pray the following for each practice, religion, and teacher:

Lord, I confess that I have participated in____________ . I ask Your forgiveness, and I renounce_____________ as a counterfeit to true Christianity.  

When you have prayed the above prayer, for each item on your list, conclude with a verbal: Amen. 

Step 1 is completed.  

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STEP 2: DECEPTION VERSUS TRUTH

 Truth is primarily the revelation of God's Word, but it also includes truth in the inner self (Psalm 51:6). When David lived a lie he suffered greatly. When he finally found freedom by acknowledging the truth, he wrote, "How blessed is the man… in whose spirit there is no deceit" (Psalm 32:2). We are to lay aside falsehood and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15,25). A mentally healthy person is one who is in touch with reality and relatively free of anxiety. Both qualities should epitomize the Christian who renounces deception and embraces the truth.   

(Listen to the accompanying podcast for further comments and teaching associated with Step 2 or proceed with the prayer and doctrinal affirmation below)

 Begin this critical step by expressing aloud the following prayer:

 Dear heavenly Father,

 I know that You desire truth in the inner self and that facing this truth is the way of liberation (John 8:32). I acknowledge that I have been deceived by the father of lies (John 8:44) and that I have deceived myself (1 John 1:8). I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that You, heavenly Father, will rebuke all deceiving spirits by virtue of the shed blood and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And since by faith I have received You into my life and am now seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6), I command all deceiving spirits to depart from me. I now ask the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth (John 16:13). I ask You to "search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psalm 139:23,24). In Jesus' name I pray.

 Amen.

This step is designed to declare that we believe what God’s word says about us.

Historically the church has found great value in publicly declaring its beliefs. The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed have been recited for centuries.

 Read aloud the following affirmation of faith, and do so again as often as necessary to renew your mind and take your stand according to the truth.

(We recommend that you read it daily for several weeks as a devotional practice to solidify your identity in Christ, especially if you are just resolving a personal spiritual conflict.)

Doctrinal Affirmation

 I recognize that there is only one true and living God (Exodus 20:2,3), who exists as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that He is worthy of all honor, praise, and worship as the Creator, Sustainer, and Beginning and End of all things (Revelation 4:11; 5:9,10; Isaiah 43:1,7,21).

I recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1,14). I believe that He came to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8), that He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15).

I believe that God has proven His love for me, because when I was still a sinner Christ died for me (Rom 5:8). I believe that He delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to His kingdom, and in Him I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col1:13,14).

I believe that I am now a child of God (1 John 3:1-3), and that I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph 2:6). I believe that I was saved by the grace of God through faith, that it was a gift and not the result of any works on my part (Eph 2:8).

I choose to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Eph 6:10). I put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3), for the weapons of my warfare are not of the flesh (2 Cor10:4). I put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-17), and I resolve to stand firm in my faith and resist the evil one.

I believe that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18), and that He is the head over all rule and authority (Col 2:10). I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to me in Christ because I am a member of Christ's body (Eph1:19-23). I therefore obey the command to resist the devil (James 4:7), and I command him in the name of Christ to leave my presence.

I believe that apart from Christ I can do nothing (John 15:5), so I declare my dependence on Him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify the Lord (John 15:8). I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord (1 Cor 12:3), and I reject any counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life.

I believe that the truth will set me free (John 8:32), and that walking in the light is the only path of fellowship (1 John 1:7). Therefore, I stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard (2 Tim 3:15-17) I choose to speak the truth in love (Eph4:15).

I choose to present my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living and holy sacrifice, and I renew my mind by the living Word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom 6:13; 12:1,2).

I ask my heavenly Father to fill me with His Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18), to lead me into all truth (John 16:13), and to empower my life so that I may live above sin and not carry out the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). I crucify the flesh (Gal 5:24) and choose to walk by the Spirit.

I renounce all selfish goals and choose the ultimate goal of love (1 Tim 1:5). I choose to obey the greatest commandment, to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself (Matt 22:37-39).

Conclude praying aloud the above Doctrinal Affirmation with a verbal: Amen.   

Step 2 is completed.  

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STEP 3: BITTERNESS VERSUS FORGIVENESS

 Most of the ground that Satan gains in the lives of Christians is due to unforgiveness. We are warned to forgive others so that Satan cannot take advantage of us (2 Cor 2:10,11). God requires us to forgive others from our hearts or He will turn us over to the tormentors (Matt 18:34,35). Why is forgiveness so critical to our freedom? Because of the cross. God didn't give us what we deserve; He gave us what we needed according to His mercy. We are to be merciful just as our heavenly Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). We are to forgive as we have been forgiven (Eph 4:31,32).

(Listen to the accompanying podcast for further comments and teaching associated with Step 3 or proceed with the prayers and instructions affirmation below)

How do you forgive from the heart? First you acknowledge the hurt and the hate. If your forgiveness doesn't visit the emotional core of your past, it will be incomplete. This is the great evangelical cover-up. Christians feel the pain of interpersonal offenses, but we won't acknowledge it. Let God bring the pain to the surface so He can deal with it.

This is where the healing takes place. 

Ask God to bring to your mind those you need to forgive as you read the following prayer aloud:

Dear heavenly Father,

I thank You for the riches of Your kindness, forbearance, and patience, knowing that Your kindness has led me to repentance (Romans 2:4). I confess that I have not extended that same patience and kindness toward others who have offended me, but instead I have harbored bitterness and resentment. I pray that during this time of self-examination You would bring to mind only those people that I have not forgiven in order that I may do so (Matthew 18:35). I also pray that if I have offended others You would bring to mind only those people from whom I need to seek forgiveness and the extent to which I need to seek it (Matthew 5:23,24). I ask this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen.

As you pray, be prepared to have names come to your mind that have been blocked from your memory.

Make a list of all those who come to mind that have offended or harmed you, that you need to forgive.  

For each person on your list, say: "Lord, I forgive (name) for (offenses)."

When you have prayed the above prayer for everyone on your list and for all the offenses they need to be forgiven of, conclude this step with a verbal: Amen. 

Step 3 is completed. 

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STEP 4: REBELLION VERSUS SUBMISSION

We live in a rebellious generation of individuals who feel it is their right to sit in judgment of those in authority over them. Christians are no exception.

Rebelling against God leads to nothing but trouble.

We are also tempted to rebel against human authority. We have two biblical responsibilities in regard to authority figures: pray for them and submit to them. The only time God permits us to disobey earthly leaders is when they require us to do something morally wrong before God.

Being submissive to human authority demonstrates faith. As you submit to God's line of authority, you are choosing to believe that God will protect you and bless you, and that all will go well with you.

Ask God to forgive you for those times you have not been submissive, and declare your trust in God to work through His established lines of authority. 

From the list below, allow God to show you any specific ways you have been rebellious, and use the prayer that follows to confess those sins He brings to mind.

    •      Civil government (including traffic laws, tax laws, attitude toward government officials) (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Timothy 2:1–4; 1 Peter 2:13–17)

    •      Parents, stepparents, or legal guardians (Ephesians 6:1–3)

    •      Teachers, coaches, school officials (Romans 13:1–4)

    •      Employers (past and present) (1 Peter 2:18–23)

    •      Husband (1 Peter 3:1–4) or wife (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:7) (Note to Husbands: Ask the Lord if a lack of love for your wife could be fostering a rebellious spirit within her. If so, confess that as a violation of Ephesians 5:22–33.)

    •      Church leaders (Hebrews 13:7)

    •      God (Daniel 9:5,9)

For each way that you have been rebellious, use the following prayer to specifically confess that sin:

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have been rebellious toward [name or position] by [specifically confess what you did or did not do]. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I choose to be submissive and obedient to Your Word. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

(Anderson, N. T. (2019). The bondage breaker® (pp. 234–235). Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.)

After you have confessed any willful rebellion to God, pray the following prayer aloud:

Dear heavenly Father,

 You have said that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). I know that in action and attitude I have sinned against You with a rebellious heart. I ask Your forgiveness for my rebellion and pray that by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ all ground gained by evil spirits because of my rebelliousness would be canceled. I pray that You will shed light on all my ways that I may know the full extent of my rebelliousness and choose to adopt a submissive spirit and a servant's heart. In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord.

 Amen. 

Step 4 is complete.

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STEP FIVE

Pride Versus Humility

Pride comes before a fall, but God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:1–10). Humility is confidence properly placed in God, and we are instructed to “put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). We are to be “strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Proverbs 3:5–7 urges us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understanding. Use the following prayer to ask for God’s guidance:

Dear heavenly Father, You have said that pride goes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before stumbling. I confess that I have focused on my own needs and desires and not those of others. I have not always denied myself, picked up my cross daily, and followed You. I have relied on my own strength and resources instead of resting in Yours. I have placed my will before Yours and centered my life around myself instead of You. I confess my pride and selfishness and pray that all ground gained in my life by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ would be canceled as I repent and overcome these sinful flesh patterns. I choose to rely upon the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance so that I will do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. With humility of mind, I choose to regard others as more important than myself. I acknowledge You as my Lord, and confess that apart from You I can do nothing of lasting significance. Please examine my heart and show me the specific ways I have lived my life in pride. In the gentle and humble name of Jesus I pray. Amen. (See Proverbs 16:18; Matthew 6:33; 16:24; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3.)

Pray through the list below, then use the prayer that follows to confess any sins of pride the Lord brings to mind.

·       Having a stronger desire to do my will than God’s will

·       Leaning too much on my own understanding and experience rather than seeking God’s guidance through prayer and His Word

·       Relying on my own strengths and resources instead of depending on the power of the Holy Spirit

·       Being more concerned about controlling others than in developing self-control

·       Being too busy doing “important” and selfish things rather than seeking and doing God’s will

·       Having a tendency to think that I have no needs

·       Finding it hard to admit when I am wrong

·       Being more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing God

·       Being overly concerned about getting the credit I feel I deserve

·       Thinking I am more humble, spiritual, religious, or devoted than others

·       Being driven to obtain recognition by attaining degrees, titles, and positions

·       Feeling that my needs are more important than another person’s needs

·       Considering myself better than others because of my academic, artistic, athletic, or other abilities and accomplishments

·       Not waiting on God

·       Other ways I have thought more highly of myself than I should

For each of the above areas that has been true in your life, pray,

Dear heavenly Father, I agree I have been proud by [name what you noted above]. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I choose to humble myself before You and others. I choose to place all my confidence in You and none in my flesh. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.^[1]

Step 5 is complete. 

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 ^[1] Anderson, N. T. (2019). The bondage breaker® (pp. 236–238). Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 

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STEP 6: BONDAGE VERSUS FREEDOM

 The next step to freedom deals with habitual sin. People who have been caught in the trap of sin-confess-sin-confess may need to follow the instructions of James 5:16: "Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Seek out a righteous person who will hold you up in prayer and to whom you can be accountable. Others may need only the assurance of 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Whether you need the help of others or just the accountability of God, pray the following prayer:

Dear heavenly Father,

You have told us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14). I acknowledge that I have given in to fleshly lusts which wage war against my soul (1 Peter 2:11). I thank You that in Christ my sins are forgiven, but I have transgressed Your holy law and given the enemy an opportunity to wage war in my members (Ephesians 4:27; James 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8). I come before Your presence to acknowledge these sins and to seek Your cleansing (1 John 1:9) that I may be freed from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1). I now ask You to reveal to my mind the ways that I have transgressed Your moral law and grieved the Holy Spirit.

 

The following list contains many sins of the flesh.  Look over the list below and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind the sins you need to confess. He may reveal others to you as well. For each sin the Lord shows you, lift up a prayer of confession from your heart. There is a sample prayer following the list.

 

Stealing	Quarreling/fighting
Jealousy/envy	Gossip/slander
Complaining/criticism	Sarcasm
Swearing	Apathy/laziness
Lying	Drunkenness
Hatred	Anger
Cheating	Avoiding responsibility
Greed/materialism	Any Sexual Acts Outside of Marriage

Dear heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You by [name the sins]. Thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing. I now turn away from these expressions of sin and turn to You, Lord. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I will not carry out the desires of the flesh. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

After you have confessed all known sin, pray:

I have confessed these sins to You and claim through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ my forgiveness and cleansing. I cancel all ground that evil spirits have gained through my willful involvement in sin. I ask this in the wonderful name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Step 6 is completed.  

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STEP 7: ACQUIESCENCE VERSUS RENUNCIATION

The last step to freedom is to renounce the sins of your ancestors and any curses which may have been placed on you. In giving the Ten Commandments, God said: "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me" (Exodus 20:4,5).   

(Listen to the accompanying podcast for further comments and teaching associated with Step 7 or proceed with the prayers and instructions affirmation below)

In order to walk free from past influences, pray the following prayer:

 

Dear heavenly Father,

 

I come to You as Your child, purchased by the blood of the Lord

Jesus Christ. I here and now reject and disown all the sins of my ancestors. As one who has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, I cancel out all demonic working that has been passed on to me from my ancestors. As one who has been crucified and raised with Christ and who sits with Him in heavenly places, I reject any and every way in which Satan may claim ownership of me. I declare myself to be eternally and completely signed over and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. I now command every familiar spirit and every enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ that is in or around me to flee my presence and never to return. I now ask You, heavenly Father, to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I submit my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living sacrifice, that I may glorify You in my body. All this I do in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Step 7 is complete

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Thank you for listening or reviewing this information if you would like to be led through the Steps to Freedom in Christ by a trained encourager go to: Click this link to get Help from Freedom in Christ Ministries

Poison – Taking Candy from Familiar Strangers - Purity 496

Poison – Taking Candy from Familiar Strangers

Purity 496 08/13/2021    Purity 496 Podcast

Good morning

Today’s photo of a sunset over Cape Cod Bay comes to us from a friend who vacationed at First Encounter Beach in Eastham Massachusetts last week.  While they reported not having the greatest weather while they were on the Cape they did manage to capture some beautiful moments like this one and described their trip as a “great escape”.  

Well, its Friday and while we still have to get through today every minute that passes brings us closer to the weekend and hopefully to an escape from any troubles you may be experiencing for a while.   I shared today’s photo because it is beautiful, and I absolutely love Cape Cod as I vacationed there with my family as a child and returned there as an adult with my own children.  So today’s photo reminds me of fond memories but to keep it real it also reminds me that a change of location doesn’t always solve our problems as I recall some not fond memories of arguing with my ex on those later trips to the Cape.   And to keep it super real, my proclivity for drunkenness and my lack of skills of communicating and relating with my ex were definitely contributing factors to our arguments. 

Ironically, it was only after I came to Christ and got free from my addictions to drugs and alcohol did we get divorced. Just because you change, doesn’t mean that the people in your life will change.  As I briefly discussed in last night’s Bondage Breaker course, sometimes the people we are with are very comfortable with us being “the bad one” in our relationships and they may actually prefer us to be in bondage because we are “easier to control.”   So for more of my shocking confessions, check out last night’s podcast.     

As we navigate through the weekend and we try to walk out our freedom and victory, we must be careful how we walk because some of the people that are closest to us may be distant from the Lord and unwittingly be used to pull us into temptation or failure. 

I have taken great strides to optimal health by watching what I eat and exercising but as I have lost weight I have gotten resistance from someone who loves me and honestly wants what’s best for me but because “optimal health” or just plain “health” is somewhat of a foreign concept to them, they have actually attempted to encourage me to stop my attempts to be healthy and have actively tried to give me foods that are processed and are outside of the parameters of what has helped me get me to where I am.    This same person has also mindlessly offered me, who is now 6 years clean and sober, alcoholic beverages on more than one occasion.   

Like the evil witch in Snow White, transforms herself into a kindly older woman with a poison apple, this person out of their ignorance, or through subtle demonic influence, actively seeks to lead me astray.  I literally must tell this person “No.” repeatedly. 

Unfortunately, as far as I have come in my walk, I am still subject to being “tricked” and fall into traps that I should have walked away from. This person recently insisted I take some sweet treats home with me to give to my children.  I foolishly agreed to it thinking that the treats weren’t for me so the kids would eat them and there would be no issue. 

But my kids are sometimes smarter than me or they like their own sweets more than what this person sent home; I don’t know.  Anyway, the cookies they sent have sat on my kitchen table all week, untouched. 

Last night after having a good class, and right on the heals of encouraging others to work toward optimal health, because I was up late and struggling to finish a bunch of paperwork for a new service opportunity in the future. I was tired and hungry and because “the poison apple” was sitting on my kitchen table for so long, I inexplicably finally mindlessly gave in to the temptation to “just get rid of them” and ate them.    

Ok, I didn’t die.  No enchanted princess has to kiss me out of a death like sleep state, that’s a relief because I might be there for a while.  But I report this loss to share two things.  When we suffer a failure in our walk, we have to report it.  Nobody likes a snitch, but we have to rat ourselves out because if we don’t we are no longer walking in the truth and that’s when we live a lie and separate ourselves from the harmony we have with the Lord.  

The other thing is that just because we are walking with the Lord in victory doesn’t mean the other people in our lives are even remotely on the same path as we are.  They don’t have the relationship that we do with the Lord and don’t see things they way we see them.   So we must be careful in our interactions with those who are not living a surrendered life of Christian discipleship. It’s a lonely road and the people we will meet on it that will try to lead us astray are not always strangers.  

I recently rejoiced over my freedom from alcohol yet again because I went to a few social gatherings where alcohol was served in abundance, but I was not tempted and was free and uninhibited to sing and dance and enjoy myself.

But even though I am free and am happy about it, I didn’t decide to keep going out to wineries and bars to keep celebrating my freedom.   Quite frankly as fun as those times out were, I didn’t want to keep exposing myself to those environments because I recognized that if I did I could possibly be led astray, like with these cookies.  And honestly, I feared slipping into other sins of the flesh more tempting than anything you can drink: Hello, ladies!

So anyway, it is my prayer that all my friends have a great weekend but I also pray that in your search for fun and relaxation that you stay true to yourself and to avoid the corrupting influences that may be near and dear to you, who mean well but unwittingly lead you into compromise, guilt, shame and seek to keep you in the box that they are more comfortable with you staying in.  

The good news is that God is with us, even when we fall down. We just need to keep walking and talking with Him, admit when we step off the path, and reach out and take His hand to pick us up and lead us further into the life He has for us.     

 

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Romans 14:8 (NKJV)
⁸  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

Today’s verse speaks about our motivation for life and the assurance of who we are.   

The Apostle Paul makes no bones about it, as Christians we are the Lord’s possession and that no matter what circumstances we face, even life and death circumstances, we are to live or die “to the Lord”. 

The phrase “to the Lord” points to our direction. Which way should we go? To the Lord. No matter what extreme circumstances we may face, as Christians, we are the Lord’s and therefore we should live according to His will for our lives.  

While I can’t tell you the Lord’s personal specific will for your life in every moment of everyday, I can tell you that 1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells all Christians that the Lord’s will for us is our sanctification, which means to conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), which is to live according to the life principles prescribed and described in the Bible.  

So whether we live or die, we need to examine our experience to determine if we are living “to the Lord” or not.  To come in harmony with the Lord we have to make an honest assessment of how we are living and thinking, and we must know what God’s word says so we can align ourselves to a way of life that is pleasing to the Lord.  

The benefits to a life that is lived “to the Lord” are peace, joy, love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, gentleness, and self-control, the fruit of the Spirit.  So I encourage you to keep taking steps “to the Lord”.

The more you give away from the world, the more riches you experience from the kingdom of God.  The more you turn from your “old man”, the more you will experience the abundant life of the new man. Whether we live or die, “to the Lord” is the best way to go, for when we are walking in His direction we discover more and more how we are truly His.  

 As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

Today we continue with Dr. Neil Anderson’s Victory Over the Darkness, continuing in Chapter 11.

 

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Dr. Anderson’s books for your own private study and to support his work. If you need this title you can find it online at several sites for less than $15.00:

Forgive Those Who Have Hurt You in the Past

The second step in resolving past conflicts is to forgive those who have offended you. After encouraging Cindy to deal with the emotional trauma of her rape, I said, "Cindy, you also need to forgive the man who raped you."

Cindy's response was typical of many believers who have suffered physical, sexual or emotional pain at the hands of others: "Why should I forgive him? You don't seem to understand how bad he hurt me."

Perhaps you have asked the same question. Why should you forgive those who have hurt you in the past?

First, forgiveness is required by God. As soon as Jesus spoke the amen to His model prayer—which included a petition for God's forgiveness—He commented: "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Matthew 6:14, 15). We must base our relationships with others on the same criteria on which God bases His relationship with us: love, acceptance, and forgiveness (see Matthew 18:21-35).

Second, forgiveness is necessary to avoid entrapment by Satan. I have discovered from my counseling that unforgiveness is the number one avenue Satan uses to gain entrance to believers' lives. Paul encouraged us to forgive "in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Cor. 2:11). I have had the privilege to help people around the world find their freedom in Christ. In every case, forgiveness was an issue and in many cases it was the issue that needed to be resolved.

Third, forgiveness is required of all believers who desire to be like Christ. Paul wrote: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephes. 4:31, 32).

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiving is not forgetting. Forgetting may be a long-term by-product of forgiving, but it is never a means to forgiveness. When God says He will remember our sins no more (see Hebrews 10:17), He is not saying "I will forget them." God is omniscient; He cannot forget. Rather, He will never use the past against us. He will remove it as far from us as "the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).

Forgiveness does not mean you must tolerate sin. A young wife and mother, attending one of my conferences, told me of her struggle to forgive her mother for continual manipulation and condemnation. She tearfully continued, "I suppose I can forgive her tonight, but what am I supposed to do when I see her next week? She will be no different. She will undoubtedly try to crowd between me and my family as she always does. Am I supposed to let her keep ruining my life?" No, forgiving someone doesn't mean you must be a doormat to the person's continual sin. I encouraged her to confront her mother lovingly but firmly and to tell her she would no longer tolerate destructive manipulation. It is okay to forgive another's past sins and, at the same time, take a stand against future sins.

Forgiveness does not seek revenge or demand repayment for offenses suffered. "You mean I'm just supposed to let them off the hook?" you may argue. Yes, you let them off your hook realizing that God does not let them off His hook. You may feel like exacting justice, but you are not an impartial judge. God is the just Judge who will make everything right in the end. "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:19). "But where is the justice?" ask the victims. It is in the crucifixion of Christ. Christ died "once for all" (Romans 6:10). He died for his sins, her sins, your sins, my sins.

Forgiveness means resolving to live with the consequences of another person's sin. In reality, you will have to live with the consequences of the offender's sin whether you forgive that person or not. For example, imagine someone in your church says, "I have gossiped about you all over town. Will you forgive me?" You can't retract gossip any easier than you can put toothpaste back into the tube. You will have to live with the consequences of that person's gossip no matter how you respond. We are all living with the consequences of someone else's sin. We are all living with the consequences of Adam's sin. The only real choice is to live with those consequences in the bondage of bitterness or in the freedom of forgiveness.

Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ.

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

 

God bless you all!

 

Join our “Victory over the Darkness” or “The Bondage Breaker” series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154). The mt4christ247 podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, and Audible.com. 

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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship