Standing in theStanding in the TruthTruth

Sue BohlinSeptember 24, 2002

STAND FIRM

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firmstand firm against the schemes of the devil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

STAND FIRM

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firmstand firm.

Stand firmStand firm therefore. . . (Eph. 6:10-13)

Who I Am in Christ

I am I am SSAVED by the blood of the LambAVED by the blood of the Lamb

“...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

Who I Am in Christ

I am I am SSEALED with EALED with the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit

“...having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:13-14

Who I Am in Christ

I am a a CChild of God and He loves hild of God and He loves meme

• As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God. (John 1:12)

• “…You are precious in My sight, you are honored and I love you…” (Is. 43:4)

• The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)

Who I Am in Christ

I am AAccepted in the Beloved

• Jesus accepts me (Rom. 15:7)• My heavenly Father accepts me (Eph.

1:6)

Who I Am in Christ

I Trust in God!

Who I Am in Christ

SSaved by the blood of the Lamb and Sealed by the Holy Spirit!

CChild of God and He loves me!

AAccepted in the Beloved!

TTrust in God!

Strongholds

• Negative patterns of thought burned into our minds through:– Repetition over time– One-time traumatic experiences

• A demonically-induced pattern of thinking--a “house made of thoughts” which has become a dwelling place for demonic activity.

Strongholds

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

(2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Strongholds

Strongholds start as footholdsIn 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. (Eph 4:26-27)

Strongholds

Footholds not dealt with become strongholds

Strongholds

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32

Strongholds

• "Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter; it's a truth encounter. When you expose Satan's lie with God's truth, his power is broken. "

• "Satan's lie cannot withstand the truth any more than the darkness of night can withstand the light of the rising sun."

Neil Anderson, Victory Over the Darkness

Strongholds

The stronghold of unconfessed sin

• Unforgiveness• Bitterness• Critical spirit• Controlling nature• Disobedience

Strongholds

The stronghold of occult involvement

• Satanism, witchcraft, Wicca, black arts• Ouija boards, tarot cards, crystal

balls/crystals, horoscopes, fortune tellers• Seances, spirit guides, mediums or spiritists• Casting spells, voodoo, TM, astral

projection, Eastern meditation in yoga

StrongholdsThe stronghold of inner vows• “I will never be like my mother/father!”• “I'll never trust anyone again!”• “I won't let anyone get close to me so they can hurt

me again!”• “I’ll never need anyone again!”• “I’ll always look at the negative so I won’t be

disappointed.”• “I have to be invisible!”• “I’ll never forgive him for what he did!”

Strongholds

The stronghold of inner vows

• "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11

Strongholds

The stronghold of believing lies and labels

• Ask God to show you this week what lies you have believed about yourself and about life, and which labels you accepted from others or took to yourself.

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Rom 13:12)

Tearing Down Strongholds

Tearing down strongholds begins with repentance.

1. We confess our sin (agree with God that it is sin). (1 John 1:9)

2. We renounce Satan’s strongholds in our lives (Rom. 13:12)

3. We receive God’s forgiveness and thank Him for setting us free.

4. We renew our minds by replacing the lies with truth.

Tearing Down Strongholds

• God, I agree with you that _________ is sin.• I renounce my sin of ___________ in Jesus’

name.• In Jesus’ name, I renounce my inner vow

that ___________.• I receive Your cleansing and forgiveness

and declare that YOU HAVE SET ME FREE!