The very next morning after my salvation, on a cold day in March of 1978, I sat down in a chair with a small black bible I'd had for several years, but rarely read; and began to talk to God.
I wanted to know God, and what He wanted me to do now. I knew my life had been changed miraculously; but I had so many questions; and no one else to talk to. Actually this is the best place to start; to realize no one else has the answers to our needs; but Him.
Though I had made a mess of my life, He had allowed it to finally bring me to the place that I realized I had come to this place of failure and alcoholism by my own decisions, and actions. I needed to face myself and that as long as I was in control of my life; nothing would ever change and I would end up destroying myself in the end. Jesus showed me He wanted me just as I was-But He wanted me to come with an honest heart, and stop being a phony. To humble myself before Him; then the door is opened for miracles to happen. Then change would begin to happen in me, as I allowed His Spirit to work in me. This honesty also begins the cleansing for breaking demonic bondages. Because as repentance has it's way in us, the strongholds of satan are breached, and weakened. The Spirit of God can come in, and with the spoken word of God; bring total deliverance to the captive heart; and then and Jesus said "whom the Son sets free, is free indeed."
Deliverance comes in many ways; and there doesn't have to be great demonic manifestations for you to be set free. It may happen, but it doesn't have to. I've been delivered from demons who just found out there was no more room in me for them, and they left. I did speak to them and resisted them by commanding them to come out, and that they weren't welcome in me anymore. It is using the Name and authority of Jesus Christ against them; one by one. With faith, persistence, and the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit, and using the power of the word of God appropriately are the keys to get set free, and stay that way.
As I sat there alone day after day, week after week, reading the bible and praying; these truths were revealed to me; and what set me free, and has kept me free. I believe they will help you tonight.
The Steps Out of Bondage
Come to God with an honest heart: I had to admit I could not change myself and didn't have the power to do it. I'd finally come to the place that as Job said in Job 7:20 "I have sinned...I am a burden to myself." I wanted to stop being the way I was; and wanted to be different. I was afraid to try, and didn't know where to start. I cried out to God that day, and told Him this. I asked God to overrule me and help me change. I finally stopped playing games with God, stopped trying to excuse my behavior, and actions. I was shown as I sat there; the sins I needed to specifically repent of, and ask forgiveness for the people whom I had hurt over the years by my actions. I was crushed as picture after picture came up in my mind of people who I had hurt, and been cruel to. I wanted to be different. Jer. 29:13 "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all you heart."
First Steps: obedience to the known will of God, bring my actions into obedience to His Word.
Take responsibility for my own actions, mistakes, sins. Stop being double minded. I had to make up my mind that I wanted to change and didn't care what I had to do; there was no turning back.
Honest repentance, pray for His cleansing in all areas of my life and ask for strength to stand against the attacks of the enemy.
Recognize that THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST-OUR AUTHORITY "Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth." Phil 2:9-10 His blood is our covering; study and feed on the Word of God concerning this truth; it will break many bondages.
1. Blood speaks of a New Covenant which breaks power over sin
2. It is perfect covering from the accuser
3. Being covered in His blood is perfect standing before God; opens the door to heaven in prayer so we can come boldly to the throne of grace for every need.
God has delegated this authority to us (Mark 16:17, Luke 9:1, 10:19) However; It is necessary for us to realize that the degree of freedom we gain is a direct result of the measure of FAITH, AND OBEDIANCE TO THE WRITTEN WORD APPROPRIATED IN OUR LIVES. IF WE REMAIN STUBBORN, WALKING IN SIN, DISOBEDIANCE, and PRIDE. GOD WILL NOT CONFORM TO US IN OUR SIN; WE MUST CONFORM TO HIM IN HIS HOLINESS. Ex. If the Holy Spirit shows me a sin that I need to repent of and stop doing; and I resist His conviction and keep on in that sin; my authority is hindered in the spiritual world until I deal with what He has clearly revealed to me that must be changed. This is just as much a deliverance as any other aspect of it. Our wills must be dealt with, our steps must change. The devil loses much power over us, and many bondages are broken, simply by our acts of obedience.
Renounce and repent of all occult, witchcraft, sorcery, Ouija boards, free masonry, false religions, etc. The works of the enemy must be torn down and his presence driven out by force. Ask God for His forgiveness in being involved in any of these practices; and renounce each one by name. Make a complete break from all known practices. You also will be shown objects, music, and artwork you may have to get rid of to "come clean" with God
Strongholds of Satan
Jesus has broken the authority of the devil over us. Col. 1:13;
Satan’s challenge-To rob the Christian of God's provisions by:
1. The mind: deceit and lies; Satan will twist the Word, and change it to suit his own plans. Satan will challenge the truth of the Word of God, just as he did with Eve in the garden "did God really say?" Speak the Word of God back to him in faith; stand against to enemy with the Word of God spoken in right context. It is vitally important to renew our minds by studying, and applying the word of God to our lives. It closes the door to these attacks.
2. The will: Pride; spiritual pride, trusting our own goodness. Stubbornness, rebellion, willful sin
3. The emotions: Accusations; despair comes from believing what Satan says rather than God. condemnation; he's the accuser of the brethren: when condemned, declare the truth. Rev. 12:10 Satan causes many souls to stumble here: uncontrolled emotions drive the person to do and say things that get him deeper in sin. We must learn to control our emotions; and learn the wisdom of "self control". Read proverbs; it speaks a great deal of the necessity of developing self control.
4. The body: Temptations; he will always put something in front of us to tempt our flesh; he never gives up. But, obedience and resistance brings freedom. At these times cry out to God for the power to resist and turn away from the temptation. Every time we are successful we become stronger in our spirit to resist the next attack.
However: it is impossible to cast out a demon when someone is willingly living a carnal sin life. It takes discernment to really know if someone is oppressed demonically or not. Jesus did not cast out demons from everyone; remember the woman caught in adultery; he told her "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Sins of the flesh are not always done by demonic power; sometimes it is our own wills. In these cases; only true repentance and turning from the sin and walking in obedience breaks the bondages.
To take back our lives; and stand in freedom, we must face the enemy and his works. There must be no compromise in any area. You can be free if you are willing to deal with the works of the enemy with the principals given to you in the Word of God.
HEALING COMES AND BONDAGES ARE BROKEN WHEN FORGIVENESS TAKES PLACE IN US. TRYING TO CAST OUT DEMONS WITHOUT DEALING WITH THE ROOTS OF BONDAGE IS FUTILE. WE MUST ALLOW THE WORD OF GOD; AND THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEAL TO US THE AREA WE NEED TO BE CLEANSED BY REPENTANCE, RENOUNCING UNGODLY ACTIVITIES IN OUR LIVES, AND LOOKING DEEP INTO OUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND TRULY FORGIVE EVERYONE WHO HAS WRONGED US. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET TOTALLY FREE. WHEN WE GO THRU THESE STEPS, THEN IF WE ARE SHOWN WE MUST ADDRESS A DEVIL WHO STILL OPPRESSING US; HE WILL BE GLAD TO LEAVE; BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN THE LORD THE RIGHT TO OUR LIVES AND THE DEVILS WILL HAVE NO STRONGHOLD TO HANG ON TO.
GOD HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL
Ps. 34:7 says "The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him (The Lord), and delivers them."
If you trust God, you can look every disaster and failure in the face and proclaim with confidence, "My God is speaking to this universe and His power is being demonstrated. I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."
Even Satan is under His control. As with Job, God may permit him to touch every material and physical thing around you, but he cannot possess you or rob you of your faith in God. The devil's power is limited and even a baby Christian can put him to flight simply by resisting him through the Word and the blood of Christ. Scripture tells us "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
We are not to fear Satan; we are to fear(reverence), the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. If you are being tormented by fear, you didn't get it from God. Why put up with it? Shake it off. We are told "God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind. 2Tim. 1:7
Satan can attempt to swamp you with filth, smut; vex your soul with every imaginable kind of evil. He can persecute you, and the enemies of Christ can revile and hate you. You can wind up penniless, you can be rejected and hated by your family and given up by your friends. But the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ear is open to their prayer. We are not to fear anyone who can destroy the body, but to respect and honor only Him that can touch the soul. No power in heaven or on earth can touch a man's confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. No demon, no devil, no human power can destroy the soul who has come under His authority and blood covering.
I and everything that touches me, is under His control. No matter how things look in this sin saturated world, all things are still working together for good to everyone who loves God and are called according to His purpose.
Lorna Couillard
2009 teaching for Teen Challenge
I wanted to know God, and what He wanted me to do now. I knew my life had been changed miraculously; but I had so many questions; and no one else to talk to. Actually this is the best place to start; to realize no one else has the answers to our needs; but Him.
Though I had made a mess of my life, He had allowed it to finally bring me to the place that I realized I had come to this place of failure and alcoholism by my own decisions, and actions. I needed to face myself and that as long as I was in control of my life; nothing would ever change and I would end up destroying myself in the end. Jesus showed me He wanted me just as I was-But He wanted me to come with an honest heart, and stop being a phony. To humble myself before Him; then the door is opened for miracles to happen. Then change would begin to happen in me, as I allowed His Spirit to work in me. This honesty also begins the cleansing for breaking demonic bondages. Because as repentance has it's way in us, the strongholds of satan are breached, and weakened. The Spirit of God can come in, and with the spoken word of God; bring total deliverance to the captive heart; and then and Jesus said "whom the Son sets free, is free indeed."
Deliverance comes in many ways; and there doesn't have to be great demonic manifestations for you to be set free. It may happen, but it doesn't have to. I've been delivered from demons who just found out there was no more room in me for them, and they left. I did speak to them and resisted them by commanding them to come out, and that they weren't welcome in me anymore. It is using the Name and authority of Jesus Christ against them; one by one. With faith, persistence, and the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit, and using the power of the word of God appropriately are the keys to get set free, and stay that way.
As I sat there alone day after day, week after week, reading the bible and praying; these truths were revealed to me; and what set me free, and has kept me free. I believe they will help you tonight.
The Steps Out of Bondage
Come to God with an honest heart: I had to admit I could not change myself and didn't have the power to do it. I'd finally come to the place that as Job said in Job 7:20 "I have sinned...I am a burden to myself." I wanted to stop being the way I was; and wanted to be different. I was afraid to try, and didn't know where to start. I cried out to God that day, and told Him this. I asked God to overrule me and help me change. I finally stopped playing games with God, stopped trying to excuse my behavior, and actions. I was shown as I sat there; the sins I needed to specifically repent of, and ask forgiveness for the people whom I had hurt over the years by my actions. I was crushed as picture after picture came up in my mind of people who I had hurt, and been cruel to. I wanted to be different. Jer. 29:13 "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all you heart."
First Steps: obedience to the known will of God, bring my actions into obedience to His Word.
Take responsibility for my own actions, mistakes, sins. Stop being double minded. I had to make up my mind that I wanted to change and didn't care what I had to do; there was no turning back.
Honest repentance, pray for His cleansing in all areas of my life and ask for strength to stand against the attacks of the enemy.
Recognize that THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST-OUR AUTHORITY "Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth." Phil 2:9-10 His blood is our covering; study and feed on the Word of God concerning this truth; it will break many bondages.
1. Blood speaks of a New Covenant which breaks power over sin
2. It is perfect covering from the accuser
3. Being covered in His blood is perfect standing before God; opens the door to heaven in prayer so we can come boldly to the throne of grace for every need.
God has delegated this authority to us (Mark 16:17, Luke 9:1, 10:19) However; It is necessary for us to realize that the degree of freedom we gain is a direct result of the measure of FAITH, AND OBEDIANCE TO THE WRITTEN WORD APPROPRIATED IN OUR LIVES. IF WE REMAIN STUBBORN, WALKING IN SIN, DISOBEDIANCE, and PRIDE. GOD WILL NOT CONFORM TO US IN OUR SIN; WE MUST CONFORM TO HIM IN HIS HOLINESS. Ex. If the Holy Spirit shows me a sin that I need to repent of and stop doing; and I resist His conviction and keep on in that sin; my authority is hindered in the spiritual world until I deal with what He has clearly revealed to me that must be changed. This is just as much a deliverance as any other aspect of it. Our wills must be dealt with, our steps must change. The devil loses much power over us, and many bondages are broken, simply by our acts of obedience.
Renounce and repent of all occult, witchcraft, sorcery, Ouija boards, free masonry, false religions, etc. The works of the enemy must be torn down and his presence driven out by force. Ask God for His forgiveness in being involved in any of these practices; and renounce each one by name. Make a complete break from all known practices. You also will be shown objects, music, and artwork you may have to get rid of to "come clean" with God
Strongholds of Satan
Jesus has broken the authority of the devil over us. Col. 1:13;
Satan’s challenge-To rob the Christian of God's provisions by:
1. The mind: deceit and lies; Satan will twist the Word, and change it to suit his own plans. Satan will challenge the truth of the Word of God, just as he did with Eve in the garden "did God really say?" Speak the Word of God back to him in faith; stand against to enemy with the Word of God spoken in right context. It is vitally important to renew our minds by studying, and applying the word of God to our lives. It closes the door to these attacks.
2. The will: Pride; spiritual pride, trusting our own goodness. Stubbornness, rebellion, willful sin
3. The emotions: Accusations; despair comes from believing what Satan says rather than God. condemnation; he's the accuser of the brethren: when condemned, declare the truth. Rev. 12:10 Satan causes many souls to stumble here: uncontrolled emotions drive the person to do and say things that get him deeper in sin. We must learn to control our emotions; and learn the wisdom of "self control". Read proverbs; it speaks a great deal of the necessity of developing self control.
4. The body: Temptations; he will always put something in front of us to tempt our flesh; he never gives up. But, obedience and resistance brings freedom. At these times cry out to God for the power to resist and turn away from the temptation. Every time we are successful we become stronger in our spirit to resist the next attack.
However: it is impossible to cast out a demon when someone is willingly living a carnal sin life. It takes discernment to really know if someone is oppressed demonically or not. Jesus did not cast out demons from everyone; remember the woman caught in adultery; he told her "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Sins of the flesh are not always done by demonic power; sometimes it is our own wills. In these cases; only true repentance and turning from the sin and walking in obedience breaks the bondages.
To take back our lives; and stand in freedom, we must face the enemy and his works. There must be no compromise in any area. You can be free if you are willing to deal with the works of the enemy with the principals given to you in the Word of God.
HEALING COMES AND BONDAGES ARE BROKEN WHEN FORGIVENESS TAKES PLACE IN US. TRYING TO CAST OUT DEMONS WITHOUT DEALING WITH THE ROOTS OF BONDAGE IS FUTILE. WE MUST ALLOW THE WORD OF GOD; AND THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEAL TO US THE AREA WE NEED TO BE CLEANSED BY REPENTANCE, RENOUNCING UNGODLY ACTIVITIES IN OUR LIVES, AND LOOKING DEEP INTO OUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND TRULY FORGIVE EVERYONE WHO HAS WRONGED US. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET TOTALLY FREE. WHEN WE GO THRU THESE STEPS, THEN IF WE ARE SHOWN WE MUST ADDRESS A DEVIL WHO STILL OPPRESSING US; HE WILL BE GLAD TO LEAVE; BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN THE LORD THE RIGHT TO OUR LIVES AND THE DEVILS WILL HAVE NO STRONGHOLD TO HANG ON TO.
GOD HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL
Ps. 34:7 says "The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him (The Lord), and delivers them."
If you trust God, you can look every disaster and failure in the face and proclaim with confidence, "My God is speaking to this universe and His power is being demonstrated. I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."
Even Satan is under His control. As with Job, God may permit him to touch every material and physical thing around you, but he cannot possess you or rob you of your faith in God. The devil's power is limited and even a baby Christian can put him to flight simply by resisting him through the Word and the blood of Christ. Scripture tells us "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
We are not to fear Satan; we are to fear(reverence), the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. If you are being tormented by fear, you didn't get it from God. Why put up with it? Shake it off. We are told "God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind. 2Tim. 1:7
Satan can attempt to swamp you with filth, smut; vex your soul with every imaginable kind of evil. He can persecute you, and the enemies of Christ can revile and hate you. You can wind up penniless, you can be rejected and hated by your family and given up by your friends. But the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ear is open to their prayer. We are not to fear anyone who can destroy the body, but to respect and honor only Him that can touch the soul. No power in heaven or on earth can touch a man's confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. No demon, no devil, no human power can destroy the soul who has come under His authority and blood covering.
I and everything that touches me, is under His control. No matter how things look in this sin saturated world, all things are still working together for good to everyone who loves God and are called according to His purpose.
Lorna Couillard
2009 teaching for Teen Challenge
