How To Stand Firm In Freedom
My dear husband, he could see it. “You aren’t hearing the truth”, he nudged. Ugg, not this conversation again, I thought. But he could see it, the old thought pattern. This pattern opens windows into my heart for lies to blow in and consume my mind. Lies highlighting past wounds, weakness, failures or every single stinkin imperfection in my physical body. They scream, you’re not enough or you’re just too much. They attack who I am as a woman, mother, wife, daughter, friend and preacher of God’s word. These lies attempt to define who I am and then they paralyze me.
I was given a Bible verse from someone just a few short weeks ago and was told it was a prophetic word for me. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” These are just a portion of the words I read from Romans chapter 12, before the warm tears fell down my cheeks. A verse I had taught on just a few months ago.
Like my husband, my heavenly Father was nudging me too, gently reminding me how to close the window to the lies. Reminding me of the freedom He already gave me, the freedom I write and preach at conferences about! Now I could see it. It was time to take my thoughts captive, release the lies once again and stand in His truth and complete freedom.
Tell me friend, why aren’t we standing in full freedom? “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1a
Like me, you’ve probably heard that truth and believed it. Yet many of us are not completely free. A quick dictionary search online describes this picture of freedom:
Freedom - “The power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.”
Truth to embrace : Jesus paid the price for our freedom so that we can speak, think and fully live without the hindrance or restraint of the enemy’s influences.
In some deep heart to heart conversations with friends, I’ve heard statements like these: “Men will always struggle with pornography and lust, it’s just the way they’re wired.” “I’m just an anxious person, it’s who I am.” “The shame of what I’ve done is too heavy and I’ve hurt so many, I can’t imagine forgiveness and freedom.”
My friend, God loves you and all those in the world so much that He gave His one and ONLY son to die, so that whoever believes in him will NOT perish but HAVE life! (truth from John 3:16)
Let’s embrace some more truth.
Every single man or woman can be completely free from the addiction to pornography and any sexual sin for that matter. Their memories from these experiences can be healed too! “So if the Son sets your free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:36
Yes you can be delivered from a spirit of anxiety and live WITHOUT the shadow of fear and depression. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
Shame can be completely lifted off in Jesus name. There is no wound too deep to heal and no sin to great to be forgiven. “So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned.” Romans 8:1 “Because the Lord God almighty helps me. That is why I am not ashamed. I have set my face like a flint. I know I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7
Listen to what the rest of Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand firm then and do not let yourself be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.”
This is essential! Our heavenly Father so lavishly forgives and delivers us into freedom and you know what our response must be?
To stand firm in what we’ve been given.
My husband, Jed once met a man who was addicted to narcotic substances and was gripped by spiritual influences that locked him in tragic despair. He could no longer speak or think clearly, but instead his words were entangled in demonic rubbish.
Jed prayed over him with faith that he could be totally free and delivered from every single influence. Guess what? Jesus touched this man and gave him freedom right there in that very moment. This is genuinely the father’s heart for us, to set us free! Only moments before, this man was feeling trapped in darkness, others were afraid to be anywhere near him. But now, he was free. He was wrapped in the light and love of Jesus.
Sadly even after his taste of freedom, he gave way to the temptation again, he did not stand firm. He chose to pick up the narcotic substances and that choice opened the window that invited the demonic influences to invade his mind. Once again his words were not clear but instead mumbled demonic anguish.
Oh friend, don’t you dare pick up those past habits, thought patterns or addictions again. We can’t be burdened once more with anxious thoughts and live in the slavery of depression, self hatred, lust or whatever it is that has restricted freedom in our lives.
Jesus died and paid for our full freedom! There’s nothing too big, too dirty, too shameful or too hard to be delivered from. Stand firm in the precious gift of freedom!
The enemy wants you to believe lies that there’s a part of you that is untouchable. A part that you must just carry and suffer with. He whispers lies saying you’ll always be this way, it’s just the way you’re wired. He sees your desire to be free and instead burdens you with more chains. These lies must be sent back to the pit of hell where they came from in Jesus name.
John 10:10 tells us that, “The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come to give you life and give it abundantly.”
Are we living life abundantly? What lie has the enemy tricked you into believing?
HOW DO WE STAND IN FREEDOM?
Name and release the lie that has a hold on us.
Repent and receive the gift of freedom
Declare truth and keep standing firm in it.
My friend, Jesus has SO much more for you - truly!
It’s time to stand firm in freedom.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke a slavery.” Galatians 5:1
“So if the Son sets your free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Hi, I’m Jaime!
Prayer warrior, writer, and speaker in love with Jesus, my Jed, and our 3 Rowdy Redcays. Friend, I long to see you set free. Delivered from the chains that hold you back, compelled to navigate this journey as a fearless warrior. Where does that happen? In the embrace of Jesus!
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