Encounter! Receive Christ’s Encounter! Receive Christ’s FreedomFreedom

SESSION 6: The Power of the Cross over Strongholds

What is a stronghold?• Definition: a stronghold is a heavily fortified place• The word is used both Positively and Negatively in

Scripture– Positively: The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalms 9:9; 18:2)– Negatively: “For though we live in the world, we do

not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” ( 2 Corinthians 10:3-4).We must consider ourselves dead to sin

Ungodly strongholds

• The word picture in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 is of the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites took the Land but not ALL of it was under their control. Certain strongholds were under control of the heathen nations and remained holdouts for many years, even centuries.

• In the same way, though we have given our life to Christ, some areas may be “out of control” (e.g., anger, lust, resentment).

• Satan gains ground in our lives through these ungodly strongholds and continues to control areas of our lives.

Satan and his demons look for entry points

• Example of a stronghold of anger. Scripture says, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:25-26).

• Example of a stronghold of bitterness. Scripture says, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15).

• What other common strongholds does the enemy use to enslave people?

• Remember God’s Word in John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Christ wants to give us abundant life but Satan wants to destroy.

Dealing with strongholds

• God wants to give us: – Truth instead of deception – Forgiveness instead of bitterness – Blessings instead of cursings – Freedom instead of addiction – Humility instead of pride

• Jesus already died to free us from each bondage. No further price must be paid! We must claim Christ’s rightful Lordship over each stronghold.

Truth instead of deception: renounce participation in false cults

• No Christian should participate in a false cult or practice teaching that is contrary to God’s Word.

• Paul said, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).

• The Bible says that Satan is the deceiver and uses his power to enslave and destroy people. But Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and this truth gives spiritual liberty (John 8:31-32).

Truth instead of deception: renounce participation in false cults

• Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says, “Let no one be found among you who . . . practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.”

• According to these verses in Deuteronomy, what is God’s attitude toward these practices?

• In the New Testament, Paul teaches that witchcraft is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and those that practice it will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

• In a few moments, you will fill out the spiritual inventory and get a chance to renounce past or present involvement in false cults or other demonic practices.

Forgiveness instead of bitterness: choose to forgive

• Satan gains a major stronghold in the life of a believer when there is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness might be toward another person or the failure to forgive ourselves.

• According to Matthew 18:21-22, how many times must we forgive?

• Forgiveness is a decision and involves our will. If you desire to be free in Christ, you must decide to forgive all those who have offended you, independently of your feelings.

• Colossians 3:13 tells us that we need to forgive “whatever grievances you may have against one another.”

• Remember that forgiving others will keep you walking in spiritual liberty.

Freedom instead of addiction: experience freedom from addictive habits

• This area focuses on sinful practices that control our lives. Because of our sinful nature, we sometimes fall into temptation that causes us to sin, and this sin becomes a foothold for the devil to control our lives.

• Romans 6:12 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Is there a particular sin that still reigns in your life?

• Galatians 5:13 says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

• Some of these sins can be interrelated. That is, one sin attracts the other sin (e.g., alcohol might find common ground with pornography).

• Name the particular addictive sin. Give it to Jesus and know that Christ bore that sinful area on His cross. Ask the Spirit of God to free you from it.

Humility instead of pride: humble yourself before God

• Pride is one of those sins that God hates– Proverbs 16:18 says: “Pride goes before

destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Pride led Satan to rebel against God, and for this

reason he was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14: 12-15).

– A proud person says, “I can do it by myself. I don’t need help from anyone—not even God.” A proud person never admits his own errors, doesn’t ask for forgiveness, and looks at others as beneath him.

Humility instead of pride: humble yourself before God

• The opposite of pride is humility. – A humble person has three basic attitudes:

• Recognizes the Lordship of Christ (i.e., God’s control over everything)

• Submits all decisions to the will of God (i.e., through prayer and the study of Scripture).

• Submits to pastors, leaders, and those in authority (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 13: 1-2)

– Is there someone in your life to whom it’s very difficult for you to submit?

Blessing instead of cursing: bless others and build them up

• “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

Generational curses

• Curses often come through patterns of disobedience from past generations. Satan and his demons use habits and patterns of sin to enslave the next generation.

• “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” (Exodus 20:5b).

• Common patterns of disobedience. The majority of families live cycles of sinful patterns that is passed on to each generation in the form of: adultery, unfaithfulness, abuse, abandonment, divorce, hate, vices, misery, and violence.

We can reverse this trend• The Bible teaches us that there is a heritage

of blessing that goes beyond genetics and has to do with the decisions and the spiritual direction that each family chooses. By repentance and commitment to Christ, we can choose a new lifestyle that will bless future generations (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• Look at the rest of Exodus 20:6: “. . . but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

An example of a blessed family:• “A German lumberjack called Gotlib started a forest fire

and had to run away from his town to avoid going to prison. On the boat, on the way to America, he got very sick and called upon God. God healed him, and he fulfilled his vow to serve him. He worked for two years in Wisconsin as a lumberjack to gather enough money to bring his wife and two children. When they arrived they bought a farm and dedicated their time to it. Gotlib and his wife had 12 children, and together as a family they decided to seek after God and to serve Him. Each day they maintained a time of prayer in the morning and another at night. Nine of the 12 kids were dedicated to fulltime ministry. One of them went to Bolivia as a Missionary, and together with his wife they had 2 daughters and 1 son. The three kids grew up and today they are all involved in fulltime ministry. The son went to Argentina as a missionary, and had 2 sons and 1 daughter, who are now dedicated to ministry. One of them is Pastor Nathan. Four generations enjoyed the favor of God from the decision of a German runaway.

Verbal curses

• Another kind of cursing involves labels we put on ourselves or that others place on us. “I’m a loser, just like. . .” etc.

• Some parents, grandparents, teachers, siblings or other significant adults have cursed their children by labeling them: “you don’t have what it takes to go beyond high school,” “you’re ugly,” etc.

Power in Christ’s death to overcome curses

• On the cross Jesus took upon Himself every curse that we or others have brought on us. He became a curse for us. Galatians 3:13-14 says: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

• Other Scriptures: Isaiah 53:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Power in Christ’s death to overcome curses

• The Bible calls us to reverse the flow of curses by blessing those who curse us (Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:14,21; 1 Peter 3:9)

• The Bible tells us to be a blessing – “ Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be

sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing”(1 Peter 3:8-9).

• It means to talk well of others-to highlight virtues in others

Breaking curses

• Identify reoccurring patterns of sin and disobedience in your family; Renounce the authority of a particular sin over your life and the life of your family.

• Confess any sin or ungodly vows that you have made or that others have made for you (People in scripture often confessed the sins of their ancestors. See, for example, Jeremiah 14:20; Daniel 9:8: and Nehemiah 1:6.)

Breaking curses• Specifically forgive people who hurt you, cursed

you or let you down in the areas you are praying through.

• Make a commitment to bless others rather than curse them.

• Heavenly Father, I believe that on the cross Jesus took every curse that could ever be spoken or brought against me and my family. So I ask you now to release me from every curse over my life. I also claim total release of my family from all of these curses. In the name of Jesus I specifically break the curses of __________. By faith I receive total release and I thank you for it.

Ministry time

• Ministry alone (take your time)– Take time to go through the spiritual inventory.

Mark down those areas that apply to you (perhaps God will give you other areas to write down). Renounce additional areas that are not included in the inventory.

Ministry time• Ministry in twos

– In pairs, pray for one another, declaring God’s freedom over the person

– How to pray:• Pray for freedom from bondage to people, organizations &

experiences.• Rebuke spiritual oppression in Jesus’ name.• Pray for healing & minister any truth or Scriptures that come to

mind.

– Feel free to share any other need for prayer. Remember James 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

• Ministry as a group– Burn or rip apart the list of sins while everyone is

singing and worshipping Jesus