People of God, we must rise up and overthrow the enemy. Isaiah 52:2. Today, we must say, “No!” to the gangrenous thoughts we have allowed Satan to feed us that are contrary to what God says.
Now is the time. Throw off the chains of selfish ambition, bitterness, anxiety, the dangerous ways we seek to “escape,” and everything else that binds us to darkness instead of Light, and BE FREE. Galatians 5:1.
What have you been feeling lately that is outside the love, joy, peace and all the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? That reaction/thought process is likely a stronghold the Lord has allowed to come to the surface through your present trials so He can set you free.
But if it’s a stronghold, then that reaction has become so habitual, so “normal,” you may not be able to break free on your own. You’ll need Someone stronger. We must realign our thoughts with Truth if we are to be free. John 8:42-47.
To do that, try beginning your quiet times in prayer, asking the Lord to guide this time with Him, to eliminate all distractions and to fill the room with His presence, sending out anything that is not of Him. Then worship. Focus on God’s greatness, for He has already conquered the enemy who is trying to conquer you. Now comes the set up for a mind/heart change:
- Invite the Lord to do anything He wants in your heart.
- Lay your thoughts at His feet. Tell Him about your anger, lust, anxiety or whatever other negative reactions have kept you from responding through the Spirit’s leading.
- Ask Him, “Where does that come from? When did that reaction/attitude/sin first enter my life, Jesus?”
- Listen for His answer. He might remind you of something that happened long ago, even a childhood event. Or He might show you how a parent also has that issue. Or some other way that struggle first entered your mind and heart.
- Allow yourself to feel what you felt when that event/situation God reminded you of happened.
- Look for the lies. Try to put those feelings into sentences, like, “No one cares,” or “I’m not good enough,” or “I need this,” etc. Those are the lie-bricks that build strongholds of rejection, failure, or whatever you struggle with that is opposite the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
- Jesus was there when that happened to you, so ask Him, “Lord, where were You when that happened? What were You doing? What were You saying?” He might remind you of a verse, show you a picture in your mind, or speak His truth to you some other way. In that split second, when Heaven’s glory meets your earthly mess, everything changes. Truth Himself cuts through the lie and sets you free. John 8:31-32. Because now you have embraced what God says, instead of what the enemy has been telling you. (For a free guide to knowing God’s voice, go to MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.)
If you’re like me, you may have so many strongholds you’ll need to follow these steps in your quiet times every day for awhile to let the Lord cut through the mountain of lies that have been guiding your fleshly reactions. But it’s worth it to be free.
Because when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36.
Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by finding gifts for those you love at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:
For steps to freedom from strongholds, see Delight to be a Woman of Wonder, the men’s version, Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior, or the other deep devotional Bible studies for all ages at MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.
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