Freedom in Christ: The Tools (Part 2)

COMMENTS

As is my practice, I’m going to be honest with you—I’ve had some apprehension about these last two postings.  When I asked myself why, I realized that it’s because this is not something that’s usually taught in the mainstream churches I've attended.  It's a teaching the Lord brought into my life in a special way.  I sought the Lord and was convinced that He was the one leading me to do this.  As a confirmation, He sent me a message ;-).  I subscribe to a website that emails me a Bible verse every day.  Here’s today’s:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

My fear of rejection and my desire to please men as opposed to God had kicked in and were putting me in bondage.  I had to put this spiritual warfare we've been discussing into action and practice what I’ve been preaching ;-).  With God’s strength, I now proceed to cover Part 2 of Freedom in Christ:  The Tools.

NOTES

Before I go over the second battle plan, I need to make a couple of clarifications.  Satan, of course, is real; and his fallen angels (the Bible calls them evil spirits or demons) are also real.  Satan sends his evil spirits to attack us and tell us lies.  We are most effective in the fight when we address that spirit by name:  spirit of insecurity, spirit of unworthiness, spirit of fear, etc.  If you don’t know what name to use, use what you’re dealing with:  spirit that’s making me feel _____ (insecure, afraid, worthless, etc.).  These attacks can also be in areas we easily recognize as sin:  spirit of profanity, spirit of lust, spirit of anger, etc.  The blanks below are obviously there for you to insert your specific struggle.

BATTLE PLAN FOR TIMES WHEN YOU’VE GIVEN GROUND TO THE ENEMY

1. Prayer of Confession.  Pray the following prayer of confession:  “Father, I come to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have given place to spirits of ______.  They are not from you, and I do not want them in my life.  I confess the sin I have committed in this area of my life.  Forgive me for allowing these spirits to have control in my life.  Thank you for forgiving me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Italicized words are critical!)
2. Declaration.  This is not a prayer.  Speak to the enemy in resistance and rebuke: “Spirits of ______ and all associated with you, I take authority over you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have submitted myself to God and you cannot stay.  I command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to leave me now.  You will not have my mind or my body.  I loose myself from all your bondage.  I rebuke you and command you to go to the pit of hell right now in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Italicized words are critical!)
3. Prayer of Consecration.  Invite the Holy Spirit to occupy all areas of your life, especially those just vacated by Satan:  “Heavenly Father, I ask you to fill and control all of these cleansed areas of my life with your Holy Spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Italicized words are critical!)

This is not a magic formula.  These are only guidelines; and I’d encourage you not to be legalistic about it.  This will still work if you use your own words, as long as (1) you are faithful to the spirit of the process and (2) you’re sure to use that critical phrase, “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Even though we live 2000 years later, Satan is still at work on this earth; and we still need to fight him!  Jesus Christ is the one who continues to give us the victory.