Spiritual Deliverance: A Free Mind and Heart

Scripture
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

This Scripture is a very important one; it has even been said that it is a dividing line in Scripture. On the one hand it reveals what the devil wants to do to people and on the other hand it reveals what God desires to do for people.

Demonic Strongholds
The devil works to establish demonic strongholds in the minds of people, including Christians. He wants to close off the minds and hearts of people to God. If he can do so then he can further accomplish his works of stealing, killing and destroying.

I am going to expose four of the demonic strongholds that he works to establish especially in the minds of Christians. You might be surprised that he has been at work in your mind and/or in the minds of some who are close to you. Almost everyone that can read knows that they can go to a dictionary and find the definitions for unforgiveness, anger, bitterness and resentment but few know that each of these can become demonic strongholds in the minds of people, even Christians.

The devil looks for any opening to attack the children of God. He is constantly sending fiery darts toward them. One of his favorite targets is the mind of believers. When you realize what he is doing, then you begin to understand why many say that “the battle is in the mind.” The devil works to attack and create chaos in the minds of God’s people. He wants to take away their peace and rest. He knows that Scripture says that “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You.” He wants to steal, kill and destroy your peace. He wants to distract you and get your mind off of the Lord. If he can do so then he can hinder your fellowship with the Lord, your ability to edify your brothers and sisters in Christ, and your witness to the lost.

Freedom in Christ
Jesus came to set the captives free. He came to give life and life more abundantly; He came to give peace that surpasses understanding. He is your victory! Look to Him to set you free. He wants you to have a free mind and heart. The Word of God teaches us to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7).

Christians are in a spiritual war that will continue until Jesus returns. There is a reason why we must be vigilant and always keep our spiritual armor on. If you have let down your guard at some point and a fiery dart or darts has gotten through to your mind, then pray to God to deliver you. Some may also need to seek out a minister who will help them find freedom in Christ. God made us to need each other and he has given ministry gifts to pray and help in time of need.

Prayer
Father, Your Word teaches us that salvation includes not only our sins being forgiven, but healing, provision and deliverance. I pray that if anyone reading this has been under attack by the devil and his demonic forces that in Jesus Christ they will be set free. I specifically command the strongholds of unforgiveness, anger, bitterness and resentment be cast down. Your Word promises us that our weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. We are to overcome the devil and his works by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Your Word teaches us to submit to you and resist the devil and he will flee.

Father we submit to you! Devil, in the name of Jesus we resist you and your demons of unforgiveness, anger, bitterness and resentment. These people belong to God; they have been bought with the price of our Lord’s precious blood. You have no more right to their minds or their lives. They and their mind belong to the Lord Jesus. Be gone in the name of Jesus.

Thank you Father in the name of Jesus, Amen

Conclusion
Now give thanksgiving and praise to God and walk forward in the victory purchased by Jesus on the cross. Be careful of making room for the devil. Always forgive everyone without their asking or their changing. Regardless of its degree, never let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26). Get before God and release everything to Him. He will give you peace in your mind and heart and bitterness and resentment will not be able to find a way into your life. Keep on the armor. There is a reason for the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith as well as for all the armor given us by our Lord.

In Christ Jesus you are an over comer; you can have a free mind and heart. I have emphasized unforgiveness, anger, bitterness and resentment in this message, but what ever your battle involves there is victory for you in Christ Jesus. Many are dealing with fear, discouragement, worry, fretfulness, anxiety and stress, etc. Seek Freedom! Remember “Thanks be to God who gives you the victory in Jesus Christ Your Savior and Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Circumstances and Trust

Approaching Circumstances

Recently upon returning from an out of town trip I was seeking God about what to put on our Church sign. What I heard in my spirit was that “fast approaching circumstances will reveal who has put their trust in God.” There will be personal, family, local, national and international circumstances that will soon occur and each situation will reveal who has put their trust in God. Some of the circumstances will be small and some will be large, but in either case you will be tested as to whether you fully trust God or not!

Loyal Disciples

Scripture teaches us that the eyes of the Lord look to and fro throughout the earth for those who are loyal to Him. One major test of our loyalty to God is whether or not we really trust Him. It is very important to God that not only do His children trust Him in all things, but they trust Him fully.

Do you trust God? It is quick and easy as well as spiritually correct to say that you do. Most Christians would give specific examples of when and how they got through situations with the help of God. But the question remains, do you trust God? Do you really trust God?

Examine Yourself

Have you ever examined your self to see if you trust God or to discern the depth of your trust in Him? Now is a good time to do so. Study what Scripture has to say about trust in God and study those in Scripture who put their trust in Him. If you see that you come up short, call out to God to teach you to rely on Him.

Conclusion

Most of us, if honest with ourselves and with God, will admit that we need not only to grow in our trust, but to learn more about trust in God. Now is a good time to begin afresh and anew. Commit yourself to seeking God in prayer and in His Word. Tell Him that you want to abide in the Vine. Tell Him that you want to abide in Christ continually and that you want His Words to abide in you (John 15:1-7). Make sure that you are continuously full of the Spirit and are always led by the Spirit.

Note: Some Christians are so busy with life and church activities that they have little real time for prayer and the Word. They run from meeting to meeting and if opportunity presents itself can quickly teach or discuss with enthusiasm certain teachings, but they are more hyped up by sugar drinks, fleshly zeal, etc. than filled with the Spirit. If they study the whole Bible, they usually read their preconceived and predetermined thoughts into Scripture. If honest, usually their prayer life suffers.

Join with other disciples who have forsaken all to follow Christ and to trust Him. God loves you as an individual, but has always viewed you as part of His body. It will take unity, true unity of faith, to victoriously face the things ahead.

God is calling His people to unite in faith and to draw near to Him. The circumstances ahead will test your trust and your unity of faith with fellow disciples. As a messenger of God I encourage you to “be prepared.” Seek God until you can truly say that you trust in Him with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5).