God has created you as a unique individual. A treasure, with a stunning purpose in His Kingdom. He has given you unique giftings, unique passions that are only for you. Things that drive you to action, that bring joy to your heart, that cause you to burn with holy anger.
Satan's goal is to keep us from being who we were created to be. 1 Peter 5:8 says that, "...your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
One of the primary ways that Satan can come against God's children is through soul ties. We all know that when we spend time around another person, we start to be like them, and they pick up on our characteristics too. We start to enjoy the same things, and dislike the same things too. Some relationships can become very intimate. God designed us for the concept of marriage--two becoming one. This is good, it's what we were made for!
Sometimes, outside of the context of marriage, we can develop unhealthy oneness with others. This can come through sexual relationships or emotional ones. It doesn't have to be a romantic thing. You can connect yourself with a parent, teacher, friend, a substance like drugs or alcohol, or any other habit/addiction. When we become fully dependent on that person/thing for our wellbeing and fulfillment, we develop a soul tie.
A soul tie can also be formed when someone else depends on us for their fulfillment and wellbeing.
It feels like you are chained to them. You worry about leaving, you feel bound and unhappy inside.
The very things that God designs for our good--in this case, intimacy--the enemy corrupts to advance the kingdom of darkness and hold us back from the light.
Breaking a soul tie means bringing your heart into alignment with the Kingdom of God, and setting Christ as first in your life. It means becoming free from that person or thing, setting your heart and soul free.
This doesn't necessarily mean ending a friendship or marriage, or disowning your family! It's simply bringing spiritual freedom, setting yourself and that other person free to seek the Lord and be all you are meant to be in Him, without pulling each other down through unhealthy dependency.
Often I've found that breaking soul ties actually bring healthier relationships!
The key is to put Jesus as the center of your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit right now if there are any unhealthy soul ties in your life. This could include family members, friends, sexual relationships, pornography, alcohol or drug use, etc.
Here is a sample prayer you can pray to break a soul tie:
Holy Spirit I invite you to come. I see that I have bound myself to ___________. Right now I sever that soul tie in Jesus' name. I set that person free to know God and trust Him as their Savior. Jesus thank you that YOU are my God and my Savior. You are all I need. I proclaim that I am free from _________ in Your name. I break off all sinful thoughts, actions, or desires that have come out of this relationship. I ask you Lord to come and heal my heart of all pain from this relationship. I release ___________ to You, and I trust YOU as the Lord of my life. My friend. My father. I proclaim full freedom in my life now to receive the fullness of what You have planned for me Jesus. In your name, AMEN.
Take a minute to wait and let the Holy Spirit fully set your heart free and heal any hurt from the soul tie. NOW YOU ARE FREE!!!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sticks and Stones--Breaking free from Word Curses
We've all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones can break my bones..."
Let's talk about the power of our words.
I firmly believe in the truth of Proverbs 18:21-- "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
James 3:5 echoes this-- "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire..."
There is power in the things we say. God has given us this incredible authority to speak life into being, very much like He does! He loves to create along with His children.
One amazing example of creating through language is Jesus. When He met the fisherman named Simon, He gave him a new name: Peter. Peter means rock. It was prophetic of the anointing and authority Peter would one day carry. In fact, Peter would be the one to start and father the early church, and the spread of the gospel throughout the earth. I'm sure the disciples were confused when Jesus called Peter by his future anointing, because they knew him as Simon--the rash, angry fisherman always full of crazy ideas and often saying things he shouldn't. But as Jesus continued to speak this future truth over him, Peter eventually went on to start the church and serve the Lord unto death!
The opposite is also true. We can destroy the works of God through our words. We can literally speak death over people, places, and movements. And this is what I want to address: the word curse.
People have been talking to you and about you since before you were born. We are constantly hearing things about ourselves from other lips. These things can range from big to small, from inspiring to abusive. People can actually speak life or death over you.
We can see it spiritually. God is constantly speaking life over you. Telling you how much He loves you, the great plans He has for you, how He's forgiven and freed you.
These truths from the Throne of heaven can be blocked by the lies the enemy speaks over us. Like I said in the last post, Satan is a big liar. He speaks only death. He tells us we're ugly, we're stupid, we'll never be free, we are a burden, we are a mistake.
Often these lies can be spoken through other people--friends, teachers, pastors, siblings or family members, and especially our parents. Here are some examples of word curses, which can be spoken either verbally or through actions:
"I wish you had been a boy/girl."
"You were a surprise baby." (Unplanned, unwanted.)
"You'll never be smart enough."
"You can't do any better for yourself."
"You're stupid."
"You never understand."
"You can't make good decisions."
"You don't know what God is speaking. You can't hear/understand Him."
"You don't understand like I do."
"You'll never be good enough."
"Nobody likes you."
"You are fat/ugly/skinny/weak/too girly/not girly enough/too sensitive...." etc., etc.
Take a moment and ask the Lord to reveal 1-3 word curses you have been believing/subject to. Don't do more than 3 at once, it can get overwhelming. If you have more, do just a few per day.
Now. Word curses work a lot like deception. The way to get free from a word curse is pretty simple. Here is a good way to do it:
1. Write down the specific word curses in a concise sentence or phrase.
2. Repent out loud for believing that curse.
3. Break all agreement with that curse.
4. Replace the lie of the curse with God's truth about you!
It's important to do this out loud, because the curse was originally spoken over you. So as you speak, no matter how timid, you are breaking the power of that lie that was once spoken over you!
Usually God's truth is the exact opposite of the lie. For example:
"I am loved."
"I am understood by Jesus."
"I am forgiven."
"I am smart. God has created my mind for a purpose."
"I am not a mistake."
"I am wanted."
In order to walk in freedom, write these sentences of truth (whatever God speaks to you) on paper and stick it somewhere where you will see it every day. If you need to, speak these truths over yourself every day. Pretty soon, you will start believing in who you really are!!
Let's talk about the power of our words.
I firmly believe in the truth of Proverbs 18:21-- "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
James 3:5 echoes this-- "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire..."
There is power in the things we say. God has given us this incredible authority to speak life into being, very much like He does! He loves to create along with His children.
One amazing example of creating through language is Jesus. When He met the fisherman named Simon, He gave him a new name: Peter. Peter means rock. It was prophetic of the anointing and authority Peter would one day carry. In fact, Peter would be the one to start and father the early church, and the spread of the gospel throughout the earth. I'm sure the disciples were confused when Jesus called Peter by his future anointing, because they knew him as Simon--the rash, angry fisherman always full of crazy ideas and often saying things he shouldn't. But as Jesus continued to speak this future truth over him, Peter eventually went on to start the church and serve the Lord unto death!
The opposite is also true. We can destroy the works of God through our words. We can literally speak death over people, places, and movements. And this is what I want to address: the word curse.
People have been talking to you and about you since before you were born. We are constantly hearing things about ourselves from other lips. These things can range from big to small, from inspiring to abusive. People can actually speak life or death over you.
We can see it spiritually. God is constantly speaking life over you. Telling you how much He loves you, the great plans He has for you, how He's forgiven and freed you.
These truths from the Throne of heaven can be blocked by the lies the enemy speaks over us. Like I said in the last post, Satan is a big liar. He speaks only death. He tells us we're ugly, we're stupid, we'll never be free, we are a burden, we are a mistake.
Often these lies can be spoken through other people--friends, teachers, pastors, siblings or family members, and especially our parents. Here are some examples of word curses, which can be spoken either verbally or through actions:
"I wish you had been a boy/girl."
"You were a surprise baby." (Unplanned, unwanted.)
"You'll never be smart enough."
"You can't do any better for yourself."
"You're stupid."
"You never understand."
"You can't make good decisions."
"You don't know what God is speaking. You can't hear/understand Him."
"You don't understand like I do."
"You'll never be good enough."
"Nobody likes you."
"You are fat/ugly/skinny/weak/too girly/not girly enough/too sensitive...." etc., etc.
Take a moment and ask the Lord to reveal 1-3 word curses you have been believing/subject to. Don't do more than 3 at once, it can get overwhelming. If you have more, do just a few per day.
Now. Word curses work a lot like deception. The way to get free from a word curse is pretty simple. Here is a good way to do it:
1. Write down the specific word curses in a concise sentence or phrase.
2. Repent out loud for believing that curse.
3. Break all agreement with that curse.
4. Replace the lie of the curse with God's truth about you!
It's important to do this out loud, because the curse was originally spoken over you. So as you speak, no matter how timid, you are breaking the power of that lie that was once spoken over you!
Usually God's truth is the exact opposite of the lie. For example:
"I am loved."
"I am understood by Jesus."
"I am forgiven."
"I am smart. God has created my mind for a purpose."
"I am not a mistake."
"I am wanted."
In order to walk in freedom, write these sentences of truth (whatever God speaks to you) on paper and stick it somewhere where you will see it every day. If you need to, speak these truths over yourself every day. Pretty soon, you will start believing in who you really are!!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Lies in your Head--Breaking Free from Deception
"...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44
Let's call it like it is. Satan is a liar. He always has been, he always will be. It's something he's chosen to take on as his identity. And yet from the Garden of Eden till now, we always seem to fall for his lies. He's good at lying.
Do you ever hear that voice in your head saying you're not good enough?
Tempting you to do something you know is wrong?
Telling you God doesn't love you or you're not forgiven?
Encouraging you to give up on something?
For some people it's small things. Little deceptions, cutting a corner here and there, hiding the truth, just being selfish.
For many it's way darker. Self-harm; suicidal thoughts; depression; addiction; pornography; hurtful or abusive relationships that you can't seem to get out of; even demonic oppression.
You may feel trapped in a cycle of lies that have sent your mind into a fatal swirl of confusion and chaos.
Wanna be free?
The best way to get free from the lies of the enemy is to fill ourselves with God's truth.
I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
‘Seek me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right. (Isaiah 45:19)
God is truth. Everything He does is true. So in order to break the chains of darkness over our minds, we must draw close to God.
In James it says to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. And you know what else? Satan will flee.
"...God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)
Often the reason we experience spiritual darkness and deception is because we have allowed things into our lives that become like open doors for the enemy to enter into our thoughts and feelings. These negative influences may come from music, movies, the internet, relationships, books, or many other sources. The things we expose ourselves to impact us more than we often realize.
Take a moment and ask the Lord to search your heart. If you have any of these sorts of 'open doors' in your life, now is the time to joyfully repent and give up those things!
Pray this prayer to be free of all deception and spiritual darkness in your mind:
Jesus I repent for any way that I have agreed with the deception of the enemy. I repent for opening doors in the area(s) of ____________. I repent for agreeing with the enemies thoughts and words when he has said ________________.
Jesus, I receive your full forgiveness. I receive full freedom from the lies of Satan and his demons.
I rebuke the enemy and silence his voice in my life. He no longer has authority to speak to me or torment me.
God, I replace the lies I once believed with Your perfect truth. I choose to stand on Your truth and the truth of Your Word, the Bible. I choose to walk in the light of Your presence from this day forward.
This freedom is for real! But it is not a one-time deal. Now you must daily walk out this freedom. Choose each day to stand on God's truth in the different areas where you have struggled. Every morning read God's Word, and every night before you go to bed. Recite Bible verses over yourself. Saturate yourself in truth, wear it like armor. That way when the enemy tries to feed you lies again, they won't get through to you!
Let's call it like it is. Satan is a liar. He always has been, he always will be. It's something he's chosen to take on as his identity. And yet from the Garden of Eden till now, we always seem to fall for his lies. He's good at lying.
Do you ever hear that voice in your head saying you're not good enough?
Tempting you to do something you know is wrong?
Telling you God doesn't love you or you're not forgiven?
Encouraging you to give up on something?
For some people it's small things. Little deceptions, cutting a corner here and there, hiding the truth, just being selfish.
For many it's way darker. Self-harm; suicidal thoughts; depression; addiction; pornography; hurtful or abusive relationships that you can't seem to get out of; even demonic oppression.
You may feel trapped in a cycle of lies that have sent your mind into a fatal swirl of confusion and chaos.
Wanna be free?
The best way to get free from the lies of the enemy is to fill ourselves with God's truth.
I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
‘Seek me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right. (Isaiah 45:19)
God is truth. Everything He does is true. So in order to break the chains of darkness over our minds, we must draw close to God.
In James it says to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. And you know what else? Satan will flee.
"...God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)
Often the reason we experience spiritual darkness and deception is because we have allowed things into our lives that become like open doors for the enemy to enter into our thoughts and feelings. These negative influences may come from music, movies, the internet, relationships, books, or many other sources. The things we expose ourselves to impact us more than we often realize.
Take a moment and ask the Lord to search your heart. If you have any of these sorts of 'open doors' in your life, now is the time to joyfully repent and give up those things!
Pray this prayer to be free of all deception and spiritual darkness in your mind:
Jesus I repent for any way that I have agreed with the deception of the enemy. I repent for opening doors in the area(s) of ____________. I repent for agreeing with the enemies thoughts and words when he has said ________________.
Jesus, I receive your full forgiveness. I receive full freedom from the lies of Satan and his demons.
I rebuke the enemy and silence his voice in my life. He no longer has authority to speak to me or torment me.
God, I replace the lies I once believed with Your perfect truth. I choose to stand on Your truth and the truth of Your Word, the Bible. I choose to walk in the light of Your presence from this day forward.
This freedom is for real! But it is not a one-time deal. Now you must daily walk out this freedom. Choose each day to stand on God's truth in the different areas where you have struggled. Every morning read God's Word, and every night before you go to bed. Recite Bible verses over yourself. Saturate yourself in truth, wear it like armor. That way when the enemy tries to feed you lies again, they won't get through to you!
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