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It was for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1, NASB1995).
Jesus came to set us free — yet we all struggle with disobedience and, too often, an inability to deal effectively with sin.
The Bible doesn’t promise instantaneous release from all our inadequacies, bad attitudes, and lusts. It does promise to give us the power of God to set us free. But how do we release the Spirit into our struggle?
Try these three steps . . .
First: Conviction and Scripture
Jesus taught that the Spirit would be given for conviction, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
Let’s start with conviction. What do you feel guilty about? What needs to change in your life? Are there signatory symptoms of health or attitude that are becoming critical?
Get specific — what sin do you need to overcome?
Now memorize one verse that indicates victory. You cannot sidestep this. Identify the sin through conviction and release sin-eating Scripture.
Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21, ESV).
When you have memorized a specific verse for your specific sin, go over this verse ten times a day.
Second: Prayer and Accountability
A counselor may be needed, you may need to visit Planet Fitness (often), and you could possibly need in-patient therapy, but first, ask God for deliverance.
If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (1 John 1:9, NLT).
Pray continually — at least ten times a day — for power to overcome your specific sin. And one other thing — find someone to pray with you.
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you (Matthew 18:19, NLT).
Prayer with agreement magnifies the freedom power of God’s Spirit.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17, NLT).
Third: Listen and Obey
God will give you a task to overcome a specific sin. He asked the rich young ruler to sell everything. He told the blind man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. And to pay taxes, he told Peter to get a coin from the mouth of a fish.
When God tells you to do something — do not delay even ten seconds!
When we obey God (and often, the task seems outlandish or menial), God gets the credit. When the Spirit works a miracle, we can think, “Well, that was circumstantial.” Hard to do when you build an ark, or Ananias prays for scales to fall from your eyes (happened to Saul/Paul in Acts 9:17-18).
Remember the Law of Specificity to find freedom . . .
Confess a specific sin, memorize a specific verse, pray specifically with another person, and obey the specific act that God requires.
Freedom!