Freedom, a powerful concept.
freedom
free·dom | \ ˈfrē-dəm \Definition of freedom
1: the quality or state of being free:
such as;a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or actionb: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : INDEPENDENCEc: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous freedom from cared: unrestricted use gave him the freedom of their homee: EASE, FACILITY spoke the language with freedomf: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedomg: improper familiarityh: boldness of conception or execution2a:a political rightb: FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE
King James Bible
Jn 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
1 Corinthians 7:22
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery
Freedom involves knowing what the lies are that hinder you and your relationship with the Lord.
First, know that you are precious to the Lord, he made you and wants to spend eternity with you, as his child he cares for you, loves you, protects you and feels every pain you and heartache you feel.
Heb. 4;15 Amplified Bible
For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.
So. lets look at some truths that you many have an issue with, knowing the truth will begin the process of deliverance, it is important to note that the motivation for deliverance must be love.
Only the love of God will deliver.
1) The Lord says that he had made you and formed you…
Is 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. KJV
New King James Version
1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Knowing that you are created by God and his love for you is complete and perfect…is one of the most difficult things for most people to accept.
Unconditional love, love without expectations, or strings attached is not something that many people experience in their lives but seeking, knowing and believing him will lead to a powerful relationship built on respect, kindness, deep affection and mutual love and acceptance.
2) The love of God is enduring, full of kindness, mercy and powerful.
Jer. 31: 3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
New King James Version
Ps 36: 7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 63;O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You;
My [a]soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have gazed upon You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 So will I bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My [b]soul [my life, my very self] is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises [to You] with joyful lips.
Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us--none can compare to You–if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.Psalm 57:1
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.Psalm 139:17
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!
3) Know you can experience God’s love for yourself.
Jer.9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Hosea 2:19-20, 23
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
1 Cor 8:3 But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].Amplified Bible
4) God wants you to be free of fear in your relationship with him.
God never wants us to be afraid or fearful, just as cold is the absence of heat, and darkness is the absence of light; so is fear the absence of the love of God.
New King James Version
Lam 3:57 You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, “Do not fear!”
Amplified Bible
Is 54;4 “Do not fear, for you will not be put to shame, And do not feel humiliated or ashamed, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, And you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.
King James Bible
Is 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
It is God’s will for you to know of his love, his compassion, and his mercy and he wants us to be free on every level. knowing this brings hope for full and total deliverance.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
5) It is God’s will that you be free from sin and from demonic oppression.
Egypt is a type of sin and slavery to demonic gods and demons, it is the Lord’s will that we all be led out of sin, and be delivered from demonic oppressions and torments.
Leviticus 26:13
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk in uprightness.
Hosea 11:4
I led them gently with cords of a man, with bonds of love [guiding them], And I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke [of the law] over their jaws; And I bent down to them and fed them. Amplified Bible
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them New International Version
King James Bible
Zeph 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Knowing these simple truths that the Lord made us, loves us, and wants us free to experience his love, peace and joy we need to conquer temptation, demons and out own fleshly desires through his love and support.
Our three greatest temptations come from Satan, the world and our own flesh.
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Satan – the adversary of our soul
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World- the system which Satan controls
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Flesh – our own sin filled nature
When we conquer these and other temptations we actually receive a crown of life.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
How to conquer:
The Devil
1) Recognize you have an adversary:
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour
2) Recognize when he temps you to sin, he wants you to be part of his kingdom
New King James Version
1 Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
3) Recognized that résistance is your key to defeating Satan
King James Bible
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Additional tools
The Full Armor of God
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The Power of Repentance…
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2) The World
King James Bible
1 Jn 2:15,16
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The Flesh
Gal 5:16
King James Bible
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Amplified
But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [g]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
17 For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [h]sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
18 But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the practices of the [i]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),
20 [j]idolatry, [k]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies],
21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [l]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
Col 3: 5
King James Bible
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:AMPLIFIED
So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming [b]on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts],
7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ].
8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices,
10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self–
11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] [c]barbarian or [d]Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].
12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];
13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind–permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.